Frequently Asked Questions
What is homeschooling?
Homeschooling occurs when a parent (or guardian) has chosen to direct their child's education from home. In Florida, there are several ways to homeschool under the law. In general, a child is homeschooled when he or she is taught primarily at home by one or both parents. This topic is discussed very widely and thoroughly in homeschooling texts as well as on the Internet. For more general information about homeschooling, please consult your local library or search engine or pick up one of the texts recommended at the end of these FAQs.
How is homeschooling defined in Florida?
In the State of Florida, the definition given of homeschooling in the Statutes is, "sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian in order to satisfy the requirements of Statute 1003.21 and 1002.41."
How can I legally homeschool in Florida?
In Florida, there are many ways to satisfy the compulsory attendance law (Statute 1003.01 [13]). They are:
- a public school
- a parochial school
- a private school (FL Sta. 1002.42) [enrolled in a private, umbrella, or "600" school]
- a home-education program (FL Sta. 1002.41) [homeschooling "under County supervision"]
-a private tutoring program (FL Sta. 1002.43) [using a certified tutor]
Establishing a home-education program is a legal way to meet the compulsory attendance requirement under Florida Statute. In order to establish a home-education program, there are six responsibilities that parents must meet, see below. If all responsibilities have been met, the home education program is considered to be in compliance with the home education laws. Click HERE for Florida Statutes that apply to this homeschooling method. Click HERE for the Florida Department of Education's web FAQs about homeschooling.
Does a parent or guardian have to be a teacher or have other qualifications in order to homeschool?
No. Parents are not required to have a teaching certificate, college degree, high school diploma, or any other form of documentation or experience in order to homeschool a child. There are many resources available (books, video courses, classes, worksheets) to parents who may not feel that they have the skills to teach particular subjects at home, therefore the parent does not need to have mastery of all subject areas in order to homeschool a child.
What are my six responsibilities under Florida law?
Parents are required to comply with Florida law. There are six requirements that must be met:
1. File a "Letter of Intent" with your School Superintendent within 30 days of establishing your home education program. The letter of intent must contain the name of the child, the birthdate of the child, the child's (your) address, and your signature. Some school districts provide a form to complete. You may opt to complete the form or type a letter of your own, as long as it contains the information listed above. Hand-deliver or mail your letter, requesting a receipt for your files.
2. Maintain a portfolio of records for each child in your homeschool. The portfolio of records must contain "a log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used" and some "samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student" for that particular year.
3. Your portfolio must be made available for inspection by the school superintendent (or agent) with a 15-day written notice. The superintendent is not required to inspect portfolios therefore you may never receive a request to inspect your portfolio. However, if you receive such a request, it must be in writing, and you must make your portfolio available for inspection. You are not required to show your portfolio to anyone else unless you choose to do so. You are not required to place any material in your portfolio other than the items listed above in "2".
4. Keep your portfolio for two years. You will probably keep your portfolio for much longer than this, however Florida Statutes require that you preserve the child's portfolio for two years.
5. Submit an annual evalution of each child in your homeschool. There are several ways to evaluate a child who is homeschooled. (These will be addressed in a later question.) You are required each year to select an evaluation method and submit evidence of your child's progress to the school superintendent. This evaluation must be turned in by the end of YOUR school year, which is defined as the anniversary date of when you filed your Letter of Intent. You are not required to comply with an arbitrary deadline set forth by the school board. Hand-deliver or mail your year-end evaluation requesting a receipt to keep in your files.
6. Turn in a "Letter of Termination" when your child completes your homeschooling program (graduates) or if you decide to stop homeschooling for any reason. You must also file a letter of termination if you register your child in a private school, a "600 School" (defined later) or you move to another County or out of State. If you have terminated your homeschooling and later decide to re-establish your homeschool, you must submit another "Letter of Intent" as outlined above.
Am I required to keep attendance records?
Homeschoolers in Florida who are homeschooling under the home education Statute are not required to keep attendance records or meet the same requirements as a "school day" in the public school. While you will probably log your daily/weekly/monthly activities and may choose to log attendance if that is your particular record-keeping style, attendance is NOT required under the law. On the other hand, if you opt to enroll your student in a private or "600" school, you may be asked to supply the school with your attendance records.
