Your Six Homeschooling Responsibilities

The Home Education Act (Florida statutes 1002.41) allows a parent to home educate their children.  There are six home-schooling responsibilities outlined in the statute and are summarized below.

(1)  Submit a Notice of Intent to your district school superintendent.

The letter of intent must be filed within 30 days of commencement.  Record  the date that you begin your home education program.  This will be considered your anniversary date and therefore your deadline to submit your annual evaluation.

(2)  Maintain a Portfolio of Records.

The portfolio consists of a log containing educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction along with a list by title of any reading materials used.  The portfolio must also contain samples of writings, worksheets, and other materials created by the student.

(3)  Make Your Portfolio Available for Inspection by the Superintendent.

Proper notice of a request to inspect your portfolio must be made in writing 15 days before the inspection. 

(4)  Submit an Annual Evaluation to the Superintendent. 

There are 5 options that satisfy this responsibility with the superintendent.

- An individual evaluation by a Florida certified teacher.
- Any nationally normed test administered by a Florida certified teacher.
- A state student assessment test.
- A psychological evaluation.
- Any other method mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent.

(5)  Preserve Your Child’s Portfolio for Two Years 

(6)  Submit a Letter of Termination

When you end your home education program for your child, submit a letter of termination within 30 days.