Homeschool by State
Homeschooling in Florida
What to know in Florida
Applies to parents who direct sequentially progressive instruction registered with the resident county school superintendent.
Compulsory attendance age
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Compulsory attendance applies to children who are six, will turn six by February 1 of the school year, or are older but under sixteen. Public kindergarten entry age is five by September 1, which does not trigger compulsory attendance.
Notice of intent within 30 days
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents must send a signed written notice to the resident county superintendent within thirty days of establishing the program. The notice must contain each child's full legal name, address, and birthdate.
Parent teacher qualifications
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
The parent directs sequentially progressive instruction and is not required to hold a regular Florida teaching certificate.
Exemption from instructional hours and days
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
The home-education statute excludes home education programs from standard school-day requirements. Families are not subject to private-school 170-day or hourly instructional mandates.
Portfolio maintenance and inspection
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents must maintain a contemporaneous educational-activity log naming reading materials by title, along with student work samples such as writing, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials. The portfolio must be preserved for two years and made available for superintendent inspection upon fifteen days' written notice.
Annual educational evaluation
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents must submit an annual evaluation demonstrating progress appropriate to the child's ability to the resident superintendent by the notice-of-intent anniversary. The five statutory options include a certified teacher portfolio review, a nationally normed test administered by a certified teacher, a district state assessment, a licensed psychologist evaluation, or another mutually agreed measurement tool.
Remediation for insufficient progress
This applies only in certain situations.
When this applies: When annual evaluation results do not demonstrate progress commensurate with ability
Read the explanation
Upon written notice from the superintendent, the parent is given one year for remedial instruction and reevaluation. Program continuation depends on demonstrated progress at the end of that one-year period.
Notice of termination
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents must file a written notice of termination and the required annual evaluation with the superintendent within thirty days of program completion or termination.
Nonattendance review committee
This applies only in certain situations.
When this applies: When a prior pattern of nonattendance exists
Read the explanation
A prior nonattendance pattern can trigger a home-education review committee and thirty-day portfolio reviews until compliance is established. Failure to provide the required portfolio can lead to program termination and attendance consequences.