AB 84: A Direct Attack on California Homeschoolers - And the Futureof Educational Choice

By Talega Preparatory Academy - July 18, 2025

What Is AB 84?

In 2025, California lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 84 (AB 84)-a bill that, if passed, would

impose crushing restrictions on non-classroom-based (NCB) charter schools used by tens of thousands of homeschool families across the state.

Marketed as an "accountability" measure, AB 84 is in reality a sweeping effort to defund, restrict, and ultimately eliminate educational choice outside the traditional public school system.

And behind it all? Teachers' unions and special interest groups working hard to protect their

monopoly on public education funding-at the expense of students, families, and freedom.

What AB 84 Will Actually Do

If passed, AB 84 would:

- Slash funding to NCB charter schools by up to 30%

- Ban or severely restrict the use of educational vendors, including tutors, therapists, co-ops,

and enrichment centers

- Prohibit many field trips and extracurricular activities currently funded by charters

- Expand bureaucracy through a new Office of the Education Inspector General with sweeping

investigative authority

- Triple authorizer fees from 1% to 3%, draining even more resources away from student services

These changes directly target homeschool families who use charter support to customize learning for their children.

Why This Matters to Homeschool Families

Charter homeschool programs serve a diverse group of learners, including:

- Children with special needs or medical conditions

- Gifted and twice-exceptional students who thrive outside conventional classrooms

- Families in rural areas or those who move frequently (military, foster, etc.)

- Students recovering from trauma, anxiety, or bullying in traditional schools

AB 84 would gut these flexible options, leaving families with fewer resources, fewer freedoms, and no viable alternatives. This bill doesn't fix anything-it punishes success and discourages innovation in education.

Who's Behind This? Follow the Money

Make no mistake: AB 84 was not written to help children. It was written to help teachers' unions,

who see charter and homeschool programs as a threat to their funding and influence.

Backed by groups like the California Teachers Association, AB 84 aims to eliminate the competition by burdening charter models with red tape, audits, and funding cuts. These groups don't work to help students; they work to help union leadership and politicians maintain their power against families and school choice. They are the same groups that fought to close schools, force 2 year-olds into masks, and jab anyone and everyone.

Why Talega Prep Cares

As a private school PSP, Talega Preparatory Academy will not be directly affected by AB 84. We may actually increase enrollment as former charter school families seek alternatives that offer greater freedom, flexibility, and security.

So, why are we fighting this?

We are homeschoolers, too. And we are deeply concerned for the many families who depend on NCB charters to support their homeschooling journey.

We stand in solidarity with these families.

Because when lawmakers target any form of educational freedom, they open the door to more

restrictions in the future. Today it's charter homeschoolers. Tomorrow, it could be PSPs or

independent home educators. It could be you.

What You Can Do

Now is the time to act. The window to stop AB 84 is closing fast.

Here's how you can make a difference:

1. Call or Email Your Legislators - Tell your State Senator and Assemblymember to vote NO on

AB 84. Be respectful but firm-your voice matters.

2. Share This Message - Post this article on social media. Email it to your co-op, homeschool

group, or educational network. Silence is consent.

3. Join the Movement - Look for petitions, rallies, and advocacy groups working to stop AB 84.

Together, we are stronger.

Education Belongs to Families-Not the State

AB 84 is not just a bad bill-it's a betrayal of every California parent who made the courageous

choice to step outside the traditional system in order to do what's best for their child.

Let's rise up together and defend the right to homeschool-with the freedom, support, and

flexibility that children need to thrive.

Your child's education is too important to outsource to politicians. Let's stop AB 84 now.