Section 33190 of the California Education Code requires all private schools to file an affidavit with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1–15, annually.

Compliance with this law is essential. If a private school fails to file the affidavit in a timely manner, its students will not be legally exempted from compulsory attendance in a public school.

Here's how the new process works:

• In late August, 2002, the California Department of Education (CDE) will mail passwords to schools (with six or more students) who filed an affidavit in fall, 2001. Passwords will allow private school administrators to access and complete an online affidavit.
  • If your school is new (and did not file an affidavit in fall, 2001) its administrators may access and complete the online affidavit from the CDE website without using a password.

  • Schools enrolling fewer than 6 students may access and complete the online affidavit from the CDE website without using a password.

  • Schools with no internet access may receive paper affidavit forms by submitting a written request to:

    California Department of Education
    Policy and Program Coordination Office
    1430 N Street, Suite 4309
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    Attention: Private School Affidavit
    

• To file an affidavit online, schools with enrollments of six or more students should complete the following steps between October 1–15, 2002:
  1. Access the online forms. (You will need your password.)

  2. Complete the online forms by providing all required information.

  3. The online affidavit contains a certification page. Print this page, make two copies and sign both. Retain one copy for your records and mail one copy to the following address:

     California Department of Education
     Policy and Program Coordination Office
     1430 N Street, Suite 4309
     Sacramento, CA 95814
     Attention: Private School Affidavit
     

  4. To meet its legal obligation, a school must submit all required data online and return the signed Private School Affidavit Certification page to the CDE.