Florida Home Education Law Basics: Notice, Portfolio, and Your Annual Evaluation

Families researching Florida homeschool law often expect a maze. The truth: a traditional home education program here rests on three obligations, and none of them is complicated once you see it plainly.

1. The notice of intent — once

Within 30 days of starting your home education program, send a written notice to your county school district's home education office with your child's name, birthdate and address. That's the whole document. (Send a matching notice of termination when you stop — including if you move to PEP or enroll in a school.)

2. The portfolio — ongoing, and simpler than it sounds

Florida law asks you to maintain two things: a log of educational activities including titles of reading materials, and samples of your child's work. A binder with a reading list and dated work samples satisfies it. Keep it for two years; the district may ask to inspect it with 15 days' written notice. It does not need to be fancy — it needs to exist and be current.

3. The annual evaluation — with options

Once a year you file an evaluation with the district showing progress commensurate with the student's ability. Families get to choose the method, and most only know about one:

• A Florida-certified teacher reviews the portfolio and talks with your child — the most popular route, and evaluators abound in homeschool circles.
• A nationally normed achievement test administered by a certified teacher.
• A state student assessment taken at a participating school.
• An evaluation by a licensed psychologist.
• Any other method the district agrees to.

Progress is measured against your child's ability — not a grade-level chart.

How the other routes change this

Umbrella private schools: enrolling in a private school that serves home educators moves you under that school's attendance and reporting rules — no district notice, portfolio or evaluation. PEP: the scholarship replaces the district program entirely; oversight shifts to a student learning plan and an annual norm-referenced test filed with your scholarship organization. You cannot be registered as both at once.

Action items

• New this year? Send the notice within 30 days — a simple dated letter, and keep a copy.
• Start the portfolio the same week: one binder, reading log in front, dated samples behind.
• Book your evaluator in spring, not July — the good ones fill up.
• Weigh the three routes annually; verify details on the Florida DOE's home education pages.

Need an evaluator, tutor or testing provider? Browse the directory — and if funding is the question, start with the Step Up guide.

My Learning Source is an independent marketplace and is not affiliated with Step Up For Students or the Florida Department of Education. Program rules and amounts change every cycle — confirm details on the official program pages before making financial decisions.