Because this home school provision comes under church school law, cover schools have a religious affiliation. Some cover schools require a statement of faith, interview or pastor recommendation. Bethshalom Academy (bethshalomacademy.wordpress.com) is open only to Alabama's Jewish home-schoolers. However, the majority of cover schools do not require a particular religious affiliation or statement of faith. Parents comply with state law by recording attendance online at a centrally held site run by the cover school. Some cover schools also require parents to post grades and produce report cards. Most recommend, but do not require, that parents join the Home School Legal Defense Association.
Since church school law permits home-schooling, Alabama's lack of specific home school legislation is considered an advantage. Church schools are exempt from much of Alabama education law. This gives Alabama's home-schooling parents greater freedom to design their curriculum, calendar and teaching approach; to teach without certification and to operate with minimal regulation. Cover schools' online resource lists, downloadable forms and other materials potentially save home-schooling parents much research and administration time. Members of cover schools may qualify for reduced admission or reduced participation fees for cultural events, sports, martial arts or dance classes.
Cover schools provide access to many resources that might otherwise be unavailable to home-schooling parents. They provide field trips, social events, conferences, diplomas and high school transcripts. They may offer centralized home school PE, driver's ed, sports teams, band or choir--which might otherwise be difficult for home-schoolers. Cover schools provide extra-curricular clubs and make events like homecoming, graduation or prom possible for home-schoolers. While cover schools do not dictate the curriculum, they will provide a curriculum and appropriate materials if required. Further support organizations do not operate as cover schools, but do help home-schooling parents coordinate field trips, social events and extracurricular sports.
Cover schools usually require enrollment fees and annual registration fees. Where classes are taken through the cover school, additional class fees apply. There are also fees for conference attendance, field trips, workshops or the purchase of course materials and yearbooks. However, cover schools also provide a wealth of free information and support. Additionally, many have both online stores and opportunities for resource swaps or freecycle events. Home school support organizations that are not cover schools may also have membership fees--these are usually modest.