• For the first time, the California Department of Education will permit private school officials to complete the entire affidavit filing process online.

• In past years, it was necessary to print, sign and mail the affidavit's certification page to the CDE. Beginning in 2005-06, however, certification of the affidavit can be done electronically.

• This year, the statutory filing period (October 1 - 15) will be strictly enforced.

Private schools in the state of California are required by law to file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1 and October 15 each year. (California Education Code Section 33190)

Filing the affidavit in a timely manner is critical.

• The PSA establishes your school's existence in the eyes of the state;

• The PSA is necessary to legally exempt your school's students from fulfilling the compulsory attendance requirement in a public (government) school (California Education Code Section 48222);

• The PSA makes your (non-profit) school's students and staff eligible to participate in and benefit from various state and federal programs and services. While actual participation in these programs is voluntary, the option to participate does not exist if a PSA has not been filed;

• Reporting your schools' enrollment through the filing of the PSA increases benefits available to private school students and staff through various tax-supported programs;

• The law requires the filing of a PSA.

• Yes. The CDE will mail a general notification letter containing instructions for filing the private school affidavit to all private schools that completed PSAs in 2004-05, on or around September 14, 2005. Please watch for this letter and read its contents carefully.

• Schools that did not file a private school affidavit in 2004-05 will need to file as a "new school" in 2005-06. If your school has been assigned a CDS (County-District-School) identification number from the state, it will remain the same, unless the school has moved.

• If you're not sure whether your school possesses a CDS code number, or if you have forgotten your school's CDS code, you can access it here.

• Please send questions via email to privateschools@cde.ca.gov or or phone the CDE's Elementary Education Office at 916 319-0878.