Home Education Frequently Asked Questions
Printable Home School FAQs Form
Definition and Responsibilities
Instruction
Evaluation
Non-attendance & Truancy
Interscholastic
Extracurricular Activities
Exceptional Student Education
Dual
Enrollment
Definition
and Responsibilities
1. What
is home education?
Section 1002.01, Florida Statutes (F.S.)., defines home education as the sequentially progressive
instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian, in order to satisfy the requirement for
compulsory education as defined in Section 1002.20(2), 1003.01(13), and 1003.21(1), F.S. Current law
does not prescribe a curriculum or course of study for home education programs.
2. Who
can teach in a home education setting?
Any parent who complies with the reporting, record keeping, and student evaluation requirements
specified in statutory law may conduct a home education program. The parent is not required to be a
certified teacher. Home Education parents may choose whichever curriculum or materials they’d like for
their child’s home education program. There are no specific hourly attendance requirements or curriculum
requirements for students in a home education program as they are not a district student. There is no
requirement for districts to provide instructional materials to home education students. All instructional
materials and supplies must be provided by the parent.
3. What
are the responsibilities of parents who establish a home education program?
As required by Section 1002.41, F.S., to establish a home education program and maintain compliance
with the statute, a parent must:
a. Send a written notice of intent to the school district superintendent. Districts should verify that the notice was received. Parents should also retain a copy of the Notice and documentation that the notice was received by the district. It is advised that if the Notice is mailed to the district that parents send the Notice with a Return Receipt Request showing that the district did in fact receive the Notice. If emailed, the parent should print a reply from the district that the Notice was received and keep it in the child’s file.
b. Maintain a portfolio of records and materials consisting of a log of educational activities made contemporaneously with the instruction, and that designates by title any reading materials used, samples of any, writings, worksheets, and creative materials used or developed by the student.
c. Make the portfolio available for inspection by the superintendent upon a 15-day notice.
(The law does not require the superintendent to inspect portfolios.)
d. Provide a copy of the annual evaluation of the student’s educational progress to the school district superintendent. Parents should retain a copy of the evaluation and documentation that the evaluation was received by the district.
e. Preserve each student’s portfolio for two years.
f. Submit a letter of termination and annual evaluation upon completion of the home
education program to the district.
g. Should there be a change of residence, but do not wish to terminate the home education program, the parent should notify the new district to which the child is moving to that they are transferring their home education program to the new district, and the new district home education contact must request the records from the previous district, notifying the old district that the student no longer resides in the previous district. Records are transferred and the previous district shall simply close out the student’s files. A home education transfer between districts does not require the parent to terminate the home education program (as they are not terminating; simply moving) and the parent does not need to provide an annual evaluation to the previous district.
4. Is there a specific format districts should utilize to maintain home education student records?
According to s. 1002.41, F.S., districts should maintain the following records for Home Education
students: Letter of Intent, Annual Evaluations, and the Letter of Termination. Any additional information,
required for the student’s participation in district services, dual- enrollment, Bright Futures, etc., may also
be obtained and maintained for the home education student. All other home education student records
are the responsibility of the parent to maintain.
5. Are home education students bound by the required school hours that apply to public school
students?
No. There are no specific hourly requirements for students in a home education program.
6. Do parents have access to any state-appropriated funds for home education?
The only state funds that may be used by home education families are available through the Gardiner
Scholarship Program for students with disabilities. Information on this program is available at
http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/gardiner/
7. May a home education student participate in virtual school classes, and if so, is there a limit
on the amount of courses a home education student may take?
A home education student may take virtual classes through the district’s virtual school, or may take as
many virtual classes as they’d like through the Florida Virtual School FLEX program established by the
Department. Should a home education student take any district virtual courses, the district may report the
course(s) for funding during the school year, and may not report those courses for funding during the
summer. FLVS is required to confirm Florida residency for all students in an FLVS course, therefore,
parents of home education students who wish to enroll their student in FLVS FLEX must provide FLVS
proof of residency by providing one of the following documents:
• Gas, water, sewage, electric, or home telephone bill
• Rent receipt with name of lessee and contact information
• Lease agreement with name of lessee and contact information
• Mortgage statement or mortgage commitment ? Home purchase contract, including specified closing date, with copy of deed to be provided within 60 days of closing date
• Property tax statement
• Automobile insurance statement
• Current Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card ? Cellular telephone bill
• Bank account statement
*Please note: all bill documents must be dated within 30 days and in the name of the parent/guardian
registering the student.
8. Does the school district have authority to exceed the Florida Statutes with local policies?
The school district must abide by the Florida Statutes regarding home education. A district may not enact
policies that would apply additional requirements or ask for additional information that
would make it more difficult for students to participate in home education.
9. Are home education students eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships?
Yes. Home education students may qualify for a scholarship through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program if they are registered with their districts as home education students for grades 11 and 12. The 2 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides a Home Education Program Packet, which conveys eligibility criteria specific to home education students, including required college admission test scores, community service documentation, district registration confirmation, and dates for financial aid application deadlines. The Home Education Program packet is available from https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN or by telephone, toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.
10. May a parent implement a home education program for a 5-year old who will not turn 6 by
February 1 of the school year, even though regular attendance is not required until the
following school year?
Districts are not required to accept a letter of intent for a 5-year old who will not turn 6 by February 1 of
the school year; however, some districts have chosen to accept these letters. In that case, the home
education parent should comply with s.1002.41 F.S. as stated in question # 3.
Instruction:
11. How can a parent provide “sequentially progressive instruction?”
There are many different means a parent may use to provide “sequentially progressive instruction such
as:
a. Use a curriculum, or none at all, and instruct the student themselves;
b. Enroll the student part-time in a public or private school;
c. Enroll the student online in the Florida Virtual School FLEX program, a district virtual
school, a private virtual program or other online resources;
d. Enroll the student in correspondence courses or private school video program;
e. Enroll the student in dual enrollment courses at a college, university or career and
technical school or college;
f. Hire a tutor;
g. Take classes from a program designed for home education students, through a home
education cooperative or community like Classical Conversations; or
h. Participate in 4-H, Toastmasters, TeenPac, Patriot Academy, museums, internships or
other programs available in the state.
Options are limitless. Parent(s) may tailor the student(s) education using any means necessary that
meets the needs and interest of their child(ren).
12. May home education parents dually enroll a home education student at a postsecondary
institution?
Yes. Home education students may enroll directly with the postsecondary institution pursuant to Section
1007.271(13) F.S., or enroll in dual enrollment classes offered at a public school in the district. Parents
should check with the district home education office for information on class availability and location. If a
home education student enrolls in a dual enrollment course through the school district, the district can
then receive funding for that class and provide the instructional materials for the student free of charge. If
a home education student enrolls at a state college, funding is provided through the Dept. of Education to
the state colleges to provide the instructional materials to home education students free of charge.
Students need to check with the state college to determine how to obtain the instructional materials.
13. Do home education students receive a diploma?
There is no diploma issued by the public school system in Florida for the completion of a home education
program. A signed affidavit of completion (notarized letter) submitted by the student’s parent attesting that
the student has completed a home education program, pursuant to the requirements of FL St.1002.41 is
the legal document of completion. As stated in s.1007 263(2)(a) it is equivalent to a high school diploma
and is regularly accepted by state colleges and universities as proof of high school completion. This
3
statement can be included on a student’s academic transcript or parent-issued diploma. While not
required, some students elect to culminate their home education program by taking the General
Educational Development (GED) test. A student is issued a diploma from the Department of Education
upon passage of the test. The toll free number for information pertaining to the GED is 1-800-237-5113.
14. Do students who have been home educated have the option to return to public school and
receive credit for their home education courses?
Any school age student who has been continuously registered as a home education student has the right
to enroll in a Florida public school. Students with documented disabilities may enroll in a public school
through age 21. Florida Statute 1003.4282(7) and the Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.09941,
govern the grade placement and transfer of credit for home education students. According to State Board
Rule 6A-1.09941, a home education student transferring into a public school shall be placed at the
appropriate sequential course level and should have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at the end of
the first grading period in order to receive credits. Students who do not meet this requirement shall have
credits validated through an Alternative Validation Procedure.
15. How may a parent contact other parents who have chosen home education for their children?
There are many home education support groups in Florida. Some of these meet in person while others
are on Facebook or other social media. In addition to local support groups, there are
also statewide groups to support home educators. Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA), a
statewide support group, may be contacted toll-free at (877) 275-3732 or online at http://www.fpea.org.
Evaluation:
16. What does the annual educational evaluation include?
A student in a home education setting must be evaluated once a year to demonstrate educational
progress at a level commensurate to the child’s abilities. The parent/guardian selects the method of
evaluation from those provided in Florida Statute, then files a copy of the evaluation annually in the
superintendent’s office. The evaluation must consist of one of the following:
a. A Florida certified teacher chosen by the parent may evaluate the child’s progress based
on the review of the portfolio and discussion with the student;
b. The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a
certified teacher;
c. The student may take a state student assessment test used by the school district and
administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved
by the school district;
d. The student may be evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license pursuant
to the provisions of Section 490.003 (7) or (8), F.S.; or
e. The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed
upon by the school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the
student’s parent.
17. What is the definition of a portfolio?
Section 1002.41, F.S., 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
samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.”
The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for two years and shall be made available for inspection by
the superintendent, or the superintendent’s designee, upon a 15-day written notice. The superintendent,
or the superintendent’s designee, is not required to inspect portfolios.
18. How does a parent locate an evaluator for the annual evaluation?
Parents may contact the local district home education office or a state or local parent group to obtain the
names of available evaluators. All evaluators for home education students must have a current
certification in academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level in the state of Florida. Of the five
evaluation options described in the law, three involve a certified teacher, as seen in question 16.
19. May a district set a deadline for the annual evaluation?
According to 1002.41, F.S., a parent of a home education student must submit an annual evaluation
demonstrating educational progress commensurate with their child’s abilities. “Annually” is defined in
Florida Statute as one year from the date of the letter of intent, therefore the parent may submit as close
to that start date as possible.
20. Does the home education student have the right to take standardized tests at the local school
district?
Yes, school districts are required in s.1002.41(12) to provide industry certifications, national assessments
and statewide, standardized assessments that are offered by the school district to home education
students.
21. What is the appropriate recourse when a district does not receive an annual evaluation on a
home education student?
Section 1002.41, F.S., requires the parent to provide for an annual evaluation of the home education
student. Failure to do so places the home education program in non-compliance and permits the
superintendent, after notice to the parent, to terminate the program.
22. If a home education student, who is 16, does not submit an annual evaluation, are districts
permitted to terminate the home education program for the student?
Yes, if the district has notified the parent of failure to complete an annual evaluation, the parent does not
provide a portfolio for review, AND the student has not submitted documentation to “drop-out”, the district
may terminate the home education program. Otherwise, the district may not terminate a home
education student upon turning 16. Should a student wish to terminate their home education program
at 16, the family must notify the school district. Section 1003.21, F.S. requires that students terminating
enrollment at age 16 must be notified that their earning power is likely to be reduced. It is in the best
interest of the student for the district to maintain home education records until the completion of high
school.
23. Are districts permitted to use FLVS transcripts as a method of evaluation?
FLVS transcripts may be used as option (e) under question 16 regarding annual evaluations for home
education students if the parent chooses that method of evaluation. There is no statutory language
prohibiting a parent of a home education student from providing a FLVS transcript for an annual
evaluation IF it is a mutually agreed upon method between the district and the parent under s.
1002.41(1)(f)(5), F.S.
24. May a parent receive an extension to the annual evaluation deadline?
A parent who is unable to meet the evaluation deadline should communicate with the school district and
request an extension. The fifth evaluation method listed in statute allows districts and parents to work out
an alternative evaluation method if none of the other four methods are available. However, nothing in the
law requires a district to give an extension.
Nonattendance-Truancy:
25. Can the parent of a student who has been found to exhibit a pattern of nonattendance enroll
that student in a home education program?
Yes. However, at the time that a student who has been found to exhibit a pattern of nonattendance is
enrolled in a home education program, the home education contact will:
a. Provide the parent or guardian with a copy of the home education law, Section 1002.41,
F.S., and the accountability requirements of the truancy law, Section 1003.26(1)(f), F.S.;
and
b. Refer the parent to a home education review committee composed of members as
specified in Section 1003.26, F.S.
Once the committee determines that the home education program is in compliance, the parent will no
longer be required to submit a portfolio to the home education review committee. The parent will be
required to comply with the requirements of a home education program pursuant to Section 1002.41,
F.S., as is with any parent involved in a home education program. If a truant student who has been
enrolled in a home education program fails to provide a portfolio for review by committee, the district shall
terminate their program. The parent may not enroll that student into a home education program for 180
days after termination, and must enroll the student into a different attendance option found in s.
1003.01(13) F.S. within three days, or the parent may be subject to criminal prosecution under
Section1003.27(2), F.S.
26. How will the home education contact know which students have been found to exhibit a
pattern of nonattendance?
When a public school student’s study team determines that a student has been found to exhibit a pattern
of nonattendance within the public school, the law requires that the principal of the school notify the
superintendent of schools and the district home education contact. The home education contact is
expected to maintain this information to verify whether a student who is being enrolled in a home
education program has been found to exhibit a pattern of nonattendance. Once a student has been found
to exhibit a previous pattern of nonattendance, the parent must submit a portfolio, as defined by Section
1002.41, F.S., to be reviewed by a home education review committee every 30 days until the committee
determines that the home education program is in compliance with Section 1003.26, F.S. The first
portfolio review must occur within the first 30 calendar days of the establishment of the home education
program.
27. How can I get more information about truancy and driver’s licenses for home education students?
As part of the penalty for non-attendance, a public or private school principal is required to report the
student who accumulates 15 unexcused absences in a 90-day period to the Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles under s.1003.27(2)(b) & (c). The DHSMV will either not issue a driver license
or suspend any previously issued driver license to that individual. For more information contact the
Florida Department of Motor Vehicles at (850) 922-9000, or visit their website at https://www.flhsmv.gov/.
28. Which member of district personnel is responsible for processing waivers for employment of
home education students?
School districts are not required to process waivers for employment of home education students except to
confirm, with a release for information from the parent, that the student is enrolled in home education. For
more information about waivers go to http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/child-labor/.
Interscholastic Extracurricular Activities:
29. May home education students participate in “interscholastic extracurricular activities” offered at public schools?
Yes. An “extracurricular activity” is defined as “any school-authorized or education-related activity
occurring during or outside the regular instructional day”, (Section 1006.15, F.S.). There is no difference
between an “extracurricular activity” and an “interscholastic-extracurricular activity, the terms are used
interchangeably. Section 1006.15 F.S., requires that home education students be given the same
opportunity as public school students. Home education students are eligible to participate at the public
school to which they would be assigned according to district school board attendance area policies or the
school which the student could choose to attend through the district’s Controlled Open Enrollment Policy
under s.1002.31 F.S. District polices will determine which schools are available for a student to choose
under s.1002.31 F.S. based on same residency requirements as other students. The district must allow
home education students to participate in a class during the day if the class is required in order to take
part in the extracurricular activity, such as band class in order to take part in the school’s marching band
or strength and conditioning class for participation on the football team, pursuant to Section 1006.15(5),
F.S. Under Section 1006.15, F.S., the student must meet the same immunization requirements as
students attending any public or private school. Furthermore, a district cannot develop policies that
restrict the access of home education students to extracurricular activities.
The law also allows home education students to develop an agreement to participate in “interscholastic
extracurricular activities” at a private school and, under s.1006.15(5)(a) F.S., a home education student
can participate in extracurricular activities through a home school cooperative.
30. What grade levels are allowed to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities?
Section 1006.15, F.S., primarily addresses students in grades 9-12 but does not prohibit students in lower
grades from participation. Section 1006.20(1) defines “high school” as grades 6-12. Home education
students may participate in extracurricular activities in grades 6-8 if the school is a member of the FHSAA.
The by-laws of the governing organization regulate which students, and under what circumstances those
students, may participate in the interscholastic extracurricular activity.
31. Do districts receive any funding when home education students participate in extra-curricular
activities?
No, unless the home education student enrolls in a class required to participate in the extracurricular
activity. The district may report that student for funding purposes. Additionally, home education students
may be required to pay any of the fees or costs that are required of all participating students.
32. How are grade point average requirements applied to extracurricular activities?
In order to participate in extracurricular activities, a home education student must have the required 2.0 or
better grade point average in academic courses. This applies to both public, private, and home education
students. The law allows for a method of evaluation of the home education student’s progress to be
agreed upon by the parent and the principal. In s.1006.15(3)(c)(2), F.S., the evaluation may be based on
a teacher’s review of the student’s work, grades earned through correspondence or at a postsecondary
school, standardized test scores above the 35th percentile, or other method as allowed by Section
1002.41, F.S.
Exceptional Student Education:
33. If a home education parent suspects that their child has a disability, is the school district
required to evaluate the child?
The school district is obligated to “identify, locate, and evaluate” all children with disabilities, including
those attending private schools and home education programs, in accordance with the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This evaluation must be at no cost to the parent. If the parent chooses
to take advantage of these evaluation services in order to get an IEP, the parent should contact the
exceptional student education administrator in the school district in which they reside.
34. What would be required of the home education parent?
The school district would require that the parent sign a written consent for the evaluation. The district is
also required to review existing information on the child before conducting an evaluation. The parent may
be asked to provide information from the child’s portfolio and may also be asked to complete checklists
and/or informal observations.
35. What is the school district’s obligation, if the child is eligible for services?
After the evaluation is conducted, the parents will be invited to attend a meeting in which school district
staff will review the outcome of their child’s evaluation. The parent may choose to hire an educational
advocate at the parent’s expense to be included in the meeting. Following that review, a determination
will be made regarding whether or not the child is considered an eligible child with a disability as defined
by Florida State Board of Education Rules. The district may propose to provide some level of service to
the child through the use of a services plan. For instance, if it is determined that the child needs
speech/language therapy services, the school district could allow the child to come to a public school
near the child’s home for these services during the week. Section 1002.41(1) provides the mechanism for
districts to reporting that child for funding purposes. If the district cannot provide these services and the
parent chooses to enroll their child into a public school, the school must ensure that a free and
appropriate education is made available to the child.
Dual Enrollment:
36. Does a home education student have to receive permission from the school district to
participate in dual enrollment on the community college campus?
No. College and state universities often request proof that the student is registered and in compliance
with a home education program. If the student has to provide that information, it can be obtained from the
local school district home education coordinator. If a home education student has an articulation
agreement with the community college or state university, the school district must provide them with proof
that the student is enrolled in a home education program pursuant to s. 1002.41 F.S. The district is not
responsible for the transportation of a home education student to dual-enrollment classes.
37. Are home education students required to pay for their instructional materials?
As of July 1, 2018, s. 1007.271, F.S., no longer requires the articulation agreement to include a provision
that the home education student is responsible for instructional materials. That same year, the Legislature
included in the budget recurring funding to pay for the home education students’ instructional materials.
Funding is provided through the Dept. of Education to the state colleges to provide the instructional
materials to home education students free of charge. Students need to check with the state college to
determine how to obtain the instructional materials. The instructional materials for dual enrollment classes
at State Universities is not included in this allocation since the Universities are not under the Department
of Education.
Nonattendance & Truancy:
38. May home education students take dual enrollment courses at district high schools?
Yes. Districts that have a part-time enrollment policy may enroll home education students in the school
district and receive funding for the student. This is a local decision that is articulated in the district pupil
progression plan. Districts are not responsible, however, for keeping course grades for the student.
39. Is there a minimum GPA for home education students to participate in dual enrollment?
A high school grade point average may not be required for home education students who meet the minimum score on a common placements test adopted by the State Board of Education which indicates that the student is ready for college-level course work; however, home education student eligibility requirements for continued enrollment in dual enrollment courses must include the maintenance of the minimum postsecondary grade point average established by the postsecondary institution.
