Homeschooling in Florida

Your options

(1) Home education program (s.1002.41), registered with the county superintendent. (2) enroll in a private school (s.1002.42), including private schools that oversee home-based study. (3) Scholarships: the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and FES-UA through scholarship organizations.

Notice or letter of intent

Signed written notice of intent to the county school district superintendent within 30 days of starting. It gives each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. Not annual. Signed termination notice within 30 days of ending, with the annual evaluation.

Our Florida notice template (check it against the law before you send it).

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

None specified; 'sequentially progressive instruction' directed by the parent (s.1002.01).

Days or hours

None specified.

Testing or assessment

Yearly evaluation filed with the superintendent, by one of: (1) a Florida-certified teacher reviews the portfolio and talks with the student; (2) a nationally normed test given by a certified teacher; (3) the state assessment at a district site; (4) a licensed psychologist; (5) another method agreed with the superintendent. If progress is not adequate, there is a 1-year remediation and re-evaluation.

Records

Portfolio: a contemporaneous log of activities naming reading materials, plus samples of the student's work. Keep it 2 years and make it available on 15 days' written notice.

Parent qualifications

None; no teaching certificate needed.

Other rules

The district may not require more information, assign a grade level or record an SSN unless the student joins a district program.

Official forms

Notice of intent forms are issued by each county district; there is no single state form.

The law

Fla. Stat. 1002.41 (also 1002.01, 1002.20, 1002.42, 1006.15) – read the law

Who to contact

• Florida Department of Education, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice (IEPC); county school district superintendent – IEPC – Virtual & Home EducationContact form · 1-800-447-1636 · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district

Special education and public school classes and sports

Districts may provide ESE services to an eligible student with a disability who enrolls solely for them. Students may enroll in public school solely for career/technical courses. Access to interscholastic extracurriculars (s.1006.15), dual enrollment, Bright Futures, district-offered tests/industry certifications, and diagnostic and resource center services (s.1006.03).

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Florida

Florida law says the parent must file a written notice of termination with the district school superintendent within 30 days of ending the home education program, along with the annual evaluation (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(1)(c)).

Source: Florida law: Fla. Stat. 1002.41

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the Florida official page, and going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.