Homeschool Regulations in Florida

This article is a basic overview of the regulations for homeschooling in Florida. Please be sure to check with the Florida Department of Education to get specific requirements, or your local homeschooling organization to connect with other homeschoolers who share your values and goals for homeschooling your children.

Home School Parent Education Requirements

Florida legally allows three different approaches to homeschool. First, it is legal to run a school in your own home for your personal children.

It is also legal to be a part of a legally incorporated group of homeschool families. Ultimately, this means that you have formed a private school corporation. This option does not allow any association with an actual private school, as the state law requires attendance at any school that a child is officially enrolled at. No matter which homeschool option is utilized, there are no special requirements for the parent or guardian that is teaching the children involved.

Finally, it is legal to hire a professional tutor for your child. In this circumstance, the tutor must be teacher certified.

Forms and Paperwork Required

A private school corporation has no required forms or paperwork to maintain at all. A personal homeschool does need to submit a written letter of intent to the local county superintendent within 30 days of starting their homeschool. This letter of intent does not need to be resubmitted every year, and must include the name, address, and date of birth of every child involved. Instead, a one time submission is allowed.

A personal homeschool also needs to keep a portfolio of each child’s work. Included in this portfolio could be sample worksheets, writings, and assessments that can show the quality of instruction and the progress of the child through the given curriculum. This portfolio must be kept for two years and must be made available to the superintendent within 15 days of written notification. A private tutor needs to keep attendance records and all other required forms that the state and local district school board requires.

Kindergarten Home School Requirements

Florida children are not required to attend school until they are six years old, so reporting any kindergarten results is not necessary.

Testing Requirements

A private homeschool does need to meet testing requirements. Several options are available that will meet testing requirements. The state mandated standardized test may be administered to the homeschool child by a certified teacher under approved testing situations at a school site. A national norm-referenced standardized test may be administered by a certified teacher.

A certified teacher may evaluate the yearly progress of the given child. This evaluation must include looking at the child’s portfolio of work, as well as include talking personally with the child. A Florida licensed or school psychologist may evaluate the child, or any other valid measuring tool that is agreed upon entirely acceptable as well. The results of any form of evaluation must be filed annually with the local school superintendent.

Other Useful Information

This article provides a basic overview of homeschool regulations in the State of Florida and is not intended to be considered as legal advice. A full copy of the Florida statutes for homeschooling is available at The Florida Senate and should be consulted by those planning to homeschool in this state.

Florida is a part of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, so religious homeschool families have the right to protect their right to homeschool. Two associations may be of interest to you: The Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Association and the Florida Parent-Educators Association, Inc. Of course, you can always get up-to-date regulations by visiting the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

Homeschool Regulations in Florida

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