Homeschooling in Florida.

Statute citation

Florida Statutes § 1002.41 (home education programs). Compulsory attendance is in § 1003.21.

Who you notify

The superintendent of the school district in the county where you live. The state doesn't register home education programs.

How and when

Send a signed, written notice of intent within 30 days of starting, listing each child's full legal name, address and birthdate. It's filed once, not yearly. Within 30 days of ending, file a notice of termination with the annual evaluation.

Compulsory ages

From the school year your child turns 6 by February 1, until age 16.

Who can teach

Any parent. Florida doesn't require a teaching certificate or a particular education level for home education parents.

Subjects and hours

The law sets no subject list and no school-day or hour rules for home education. Instruction should be sequentially progressive, building step by step.

Records required

A portfolio with two parts: a log made as you teach that names reading materials by title, and samples of your child's writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative work. Keep it 2 years; the superintendent may inspect it on 15 days' written notice.

Annual evaluation

File one evaluation yearly with the superintendent's office. You pick: a Florida-certified teacher's portfolio review and talk with your child, a nationally normed test given by a certified teacher, the state assessment, a licensed psychologist or school psychologist, or a method you both agree on.

If progress falls short

If the evaluation doesn't show progress in line with your child's ability, the superintendent notifies you in writing. You then have one year of remedial instruction and a re-evaluation; continuing depends on adequate progress.

Another route

You may instead enroll your child in a private school (§ 1002.42), which files a yearly survey with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Its rules differ from home education.