Are you new to homeschooling or looking for more information?
Whether you are thinking about pulling your child out of school or have homeschooled for a year and don't know what needs to be in your portfolio for evaluation, you have come to the right place. This is the page where you will find all of the links to different websites that will answer many of the questions that you might have.
1. How to get started homeschooling in Florida:
The Florida Department of Education has tons of information on homeschooling from how to begin to scholarships available for seniors. This is a great website that will answer most of the questions that you might have.
2. Homeschooling in Palm Beach County:
The Palm Beach School District has their own website with information and forms that you can download. Some of the forms include "Notice of Intent" to homeschool and "Notice of Termination". It also lists step by step instructions on what to do if your child is still enrolled in school and the steps required to homeschool. When registering with the county, you must register within thirty days of pulling your child out of public or private school or within thirty days of his or her required start date in school according to the compulsory age of six years by February 1 of any school year.
3. Annual Evaluations:
If you have already filed a letter of intent with the School District, you are required to have an annual evaluation. The Annual Evaluation is due no later than each anniversary of a student's registration date in home education.
In order to comply with section 1002.41, Florida Statutes, annual evaluations shall consist of one of the following:
The Florida Department of Education has tons of information on homeschooling from how to begin to scholarships available for seniors. This is a great website that will answer most of the questions that you might have.
2. Homeschooling in Palm Beach County:
The Palm Beach School District has their own website with information and forms that you can download. Some of the forms include "Notice of Intent" to homeschool and "Notice of Termination". It also lists step by step instructions on what to do if your child is still enrolled in school and the steps required to homeschool. When registering with the county, you must register within thirty days of pulling your child out of public or private school or within thirty days of his or her required start date in school according to the compulsory age of six years by February 1 of any school year.
3. Annual Evaluations:
If you have already filed a letter of intent with the School District, you are required to have an annual evaluation. The Annual Evaluation is due no later than each anniversary of a student's registration date in home education.
In order to comply with section 1002.41, Florida Statutes, annual evaluations shall consist of one of the following:
- A Florida certified teacher chosen by the parent may evaluate the child's progress based on a review of the portfolio and discussion with the student. The statute defines a portfolio as a log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction AND which designates by title any reading materials used, AND includes samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student. The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years and shall be made available for inspection by the district school superintendent, or the district school superintendent’s agent, upon 15 days’ written notice.
- The student may take any nationally-normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher.
- The student may take a state student assessment test at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district.
- The student maybe evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license pursuant to Section 490.003 (7) or (8), F.S.
- The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent.
Virtual Schools
There are 3 virtual school options for homeschoolers in Palm Beach County. Students enrolled in the virtual school take their classes online with state certified teachers. There are different requirements for different virtual school options, so please check carefully to see if virtual schools will meet your family's needs. There are part-time and full-time options and all 3 options are free of cost to Palm Beach County students. The School District of Palm Beach county has the virtual school information here.
Is there any other way to homeschool without registering with the county?
To homeschool in Florida, you must either be registered with the county or with an "umbrella" school. You do not need to send a letter to the county if you enroll in an umbrella school, also known as 600 school, a nonprofit, private school registered with the state of Florida. Umbrella schools keep a transcript for your child, and as far as the state is concerned, your child is enrolled in private school rather than being homeschooled. Umbrella schools may require you to sign a statement of faith, meet certain standards, take certain courses, or attend mandatory events. You may also have to provide vaccine records (or an exemption form), attendance records, standardized test results, and report cards. Check carefully into the requirements and costs of each to see which will meet your family's needs.
