Amanda runs the Time4Learning Florida homeschool support group. She writes:
It is very easy to begin a home education program for your child in Florida. First you need to send the district school superintendent of the county where you live a letter of intent like the one found here on FPEA within 30 days of beginning homeschooling. According to Florida Statute 1002.41, once you begin homeschooling, you need to maintain a portfolio of records and materials to be kept for 2 years consisting of:
“1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used.
2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.”
This is one of the great things about Time4Learning. Time4Learning records all of your child’s online activities for you. All you need to do is print what they’ve done on a regular basis, every week or so, and store it in a folder or binder. You can also print out some of their tests or quizzes as examples and save a few of their worksheets as examples of their work.
The next step is to choose how you will have your child’s progress evalutated each year. Florida gives you 5 options for evaluation
1. You may choose to have a Florida certified teacher evaluate your child’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with your child. Then have the teacher write an evalutation letter, like the one found here on FPEA.
2. You may have you child take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher
3. You can have your child take a state student assessment test, such as FCAT
4. You can have your child evaluated by a psychologist
5. You may choose any other way to evaluate your child that is mutually agreed upon by the district school superintendent of the district where you live
If you questions for Amanda, try the Florida homeschool parents forum. Other great sources for Florida homeschooling information:
