Fallbrook Homeschool to still be offered in 2016-2017 academic year

The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) will continue its homeschool academy, despite recent drops in student numbers.

According to Bill Billingsley, assistant superintendent at FUESD, independent study will continue to be an educational option for students.

"Both the classic and core programs will continue to be offered," said Billingsley. "The five day homeschool program is our classic program, and our core program provides a combination of in-home and in-class instruction."

Billingsley stated that state law allows up to 30 students in a classroom, but actual enrollment numbers in classes are significantly less than that because Fallbrook Homeschool Program only has 44 students. Currently, the instruction is under 20 students in each of the core classes.

The number of students attending the homeschool program have been declining, but Billingsley stated that the district will continue to support the program despite the numbers drop. However, there will be a limit on the amount of staffing provided to the school because of student numbers.

"We staff according to the number of enrollment, like all school districts," he said. "If we had a large influx of enrollment at the homeschool program, we would be adding more. Currently, we have 44 students in the academy, and we have two teachers assigned to the school. If we had, say 144 students, we would definitely increase staffing; right now we have 22 students to a teacher."

Renee Rivera, a parent of students at the Fallbrook Homeschool Academy, stated that some parents feel that the district is not as invested in the program as it could be.

"At the beginning of this year, we came back with 90 students," said Rivera. "They removed one of our teachers, and everyone was shocked. This impressed on a group of parents that the district doesn't want this program, and that they don't want our students there. Our numbers went down to the 50s.Three weeks later, they took another teacher, saying there was not enough students to support three teachers."

Rivera does not believe that the lack of students attending the program comes from parents not being interested in the program – it comes from insecurity in if the district would keep the program going.

"Those of us left are wondering why they don't just shut it down, or if they find it easier to just get everyone to leave rather than to shut it down," said Rivera. "There are things they won't answer, and I have asked them how they are doing the math. What are they considering as one teacher per student?"

Billingsley explained that while the teachers might have 22 students assigned to them, they are not all of those students are in one class because of the various grade levels attending the academy.

"I would say that all of our teachers work incredibly hard, and our homeschool teachers are no exception," said Billingsley. "They have to give instruction in class and give guidance so the students know what to do at home. Some of our teachers even teach combo classes. Everyone works very hard."

"The teachers might have six kids in a class," he said. "It's great that we can offer this program, because when you sign up for home school, it's meant to be done at home. We have the luxury of providing an in-class instruction that most districts don't offer their homeschool students. Some parents want more time with their kids in school, but it really depends on enrollment. It's really hard when 44 students are in the program."

Rivera stated that with the growing popularity of charter schools, the Fallbrook Homeschool Academy needs to change its practices in order to keep further students from attending other programs.

“The concept has morphed – back in the 90s, students were expected to be straightly independent at home. Now, everyone has blended programs, and all these charter schools are offering them.

"We would be elated to add more teachers, and are always anxious to add staffing because it means that we are growing in numbers," said Billingsley. "However, if we were to add more teachers to the homeschool program right now, we would be pulling a teacher from a class elsewhere, leaving classes of 32 to 35 students."