I am continuing the series started a few bloggers ago, regarding home schooling laws in each state. I plan to blog about them alphabetically, however, if you’re in Wyoming, you don’t have to wait for me to post the information! Just leave a comment letting me know where you are.
This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system.
In Florida, you have three options for legally home schooling your child. The first option is to “establish and operate a home school.” (This is the legalese for go ahead and home school your child.)
The second option is to have a private tutor come into your home and teach your child as long as he or she meets the following requirements:
holds a valid Florida certificate to teach the subjects or grades in which instruction is given;
keeps all records and makes all reports required by the state and district school board; and
requires students to be in actual attendance for 180 days or the equivalent on an hourly basis.
Your third option is to “qualify and operate as part of a private school corporation (a legally incorporated group of home school families)”. You can get together with groups of home schooling families and qualify as a “private school.“ Schools must file a charter with their local circuit court and file an annual data base form. In some localities, they may be required to obtain a business license.
It seems to me, that the advantage to establishing yourself with a group of home schooling families or having someone come to your home to tutor your child is that there is no paper work required on your part.
Compulsory Age: The year your child is 6 before February 1st until the year the child is 16.
Attendance: 180 days. (There is no attendance specified for option 1).
Subjects: None.
Teacher Qualifications: None except as noted for the tutoring option above.
Notice: You must send a letter of intent to the local superintendent within 30 days of beginning your home schooling. There is no notice required for option #2 or option #3.
Record keeping: If you select option 1, you must maintain a portfolio of records and materials including a log of textbooks, examples of student work, educational objectives covered and lesson plans. You need to keep these records for 2 years. The superintendent can request to see them within 15 days of written notice.
Testing: If you select option 1 you must choose one of the following options every year:
1. the child must take a “state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing condition approved by the school district,”
2. be evaluated by a Florida certified teacher,
3. be evaluated by a licensed psychologist,
4. be “evaluated by any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon.”
The parent must file a copy of the evaluation with the local school superintendent annually. There is no specific statutory deadline. The superintendent may put the family on probation for 1 year if the child does not show satisfactory progress. The family has one year to provide “remedial instruction.”
Information from this blog was taken from:
HSLDA
A to Z Homeschooling
Guide to Homeschooling In Florida
State Organizations and Support Groups
Florida Parent-Educators Association