The
Florida Legislature
2003 Florida Statutes
Florida Home Schooling
Compulsory School Age
Between 6 and 16 years of
age by February 1.
Florida statutes provide
prospective homeschoolers three options. Homeschoolers may
enroll in a private school that offers a homeschooling
option and follow the procedures set by the school. Or they
may establish a home education program as defined in the
statutes by sending a Notice of Intent to their local school
superintendent, maintaining a log of activities and samples
of work, and filing an annual evaluation using one of five
evaluation choices. Or they may hire a private tutor.
1002.41 Home education programs.
(1) A "home education program" is defined in s.
1002.01. The parent is not required to hold a valid regular
Florida teaching certificate.
(a) The parent shall notify the district school
superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of
her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education
program. The notice shall be in writing, signed by the
parent, and shall include the names, addresses, and
birthdates of all children who shall be enrolled as students
in the home education program. The notice shall be filed in
the district school superintendent's office within 30 days
of the establishment of the home education program. A
written notice of termination of the home education program
shall be filed in the district school superintendent's
office within 30 days after said termination.
(b) The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and
materials. The portfolio shall consist of the following:
1. A log of educational activities that is made
contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates
by title any reading materials used.
2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or
creative materials used or developed by the student.
The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2
years and shall be made available for inspection by the
district school superintendent, or the district school
superintendent's agent, upon 15 days' written notice.
Nothing in this section shall require the district school
superintendent to inspect the portfolio.
(c) The parent shall provide for an annual educational
evaluation in which is documented the student's
demonstration of educational progress at a level
commensurate with her or his ability. The parent shall
select the method of evaluation and shall file a copy of the
evaluation annually with the district school
superintendent's office in the county in which the student
resides. The annual educational evaluation shall consist of
The following:
1. A teacher selected by the parent shall evaluate the
student's educational progress upon review of the portfolio
and discussion with the student. Such teacher shall hold a
valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects
at the elementary or secondary level;
2. The student shall take any nationally normed student
achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
3. The student shall take a state student assessment
test used by the school district and administered by a
certified teacher, at a location and under testing
conditions approved by the school district;
4. The student shall be evaluated by an individual
holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions
of s. 490.003(7) or (8); or
5. The student shall be evaluated with any other valid
measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the district
school superintendent of the district in which the student
resides and the student's parent.
(2) The district school superintendent shall review and
accept the results of the annual educational evaluation of
the student in a home education program. If the student does
not demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate
with her or his ability, the district school superintendent
shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has
not been achieved. The parent shall have 1 year from the
date of receipt of the written notification to provide
remedial instruction to the student. At the end of the
1-year probationary period, the student shall be reevaluated
as specified in paragraph (1)(c). Continuation in a home
education program shall be contingent upon the student
demonstrating educational progress commensurate with her or
his ability at the end of the probationary period.
(3) A home education program shall be excluded from
meeting the requirements of a school day.
(4) Home education students may participate in
interscholastic extracurricular student activities in
accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.15.
(5) Home education students may participate in the
Bright Futures Scholarship Program in accordance with the
provisions of ss. 1009.53-1009.539.
(6) Home education students may participate in dual
enrollment programs in accordance with the provisions of ss.
1007.27(4) and 1007.271(10).
(7) Home education students are eligible for admission
to community colleges in accordance with the provisions of
s. 1007.263.
(8) Home education students are eligible for admission
to state universities in accordance with the provisions of
s. 1007.261.
(9) Home education program students may receive testing
and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers,
in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03.
