Homeschooling in Florida
Hi, my name is Amanda, and I am the Florida state representative for
Time4Learning! My husband and I work from home, while homeschooling our 3
daughters who are between the ages of 9 and 13. Time4Learning has been such an
exciting find for us.
You can visit me on the Florida forum to ask any questions.
Florida Homeschooling Laws
Legal disclaimer.This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Florida. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
This section is one family’s story and how they meet the homeschooling laws in Florida. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
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Time4Learning has reduced much of my workload as a homeschooling parents so we can spend more time on the fun aspects of homeschooling. Each week I'll give the girls their assignments and they can complete most all of them independently. For the most part, because of their ages and the Time4Learning curriculum, I'm there for backup and to assist them if they get stuck.
Our favorite aspect of Time4Learning is that it's interactive. This means their minds are more engaged in what they are learning. Learning this way is easier and more natural and much more enjoyable for them.
In addition to Time4Learning, I'll assign activities that correlate to whatever they are learning. I find these activities all over the internet at places like BrainPop.com, Cosmeo.com, and mrdonn.org. Or, we may rent a video from Netflix related to the topics they are currently studying. The girls are also learning Spanish using Rosetta Stone and their father spends an hour with them on most days discussing business, finances, and life skills.
A Typical Day in Our Homeschool
All in all, the girls spend approximately 4 to 6 hours a day in structured
learning activities. Here is a typical day in our household:
6am - Hubby is up and about, showering, getting dressed and doing a bit of work
7-8 - Kids and I get up. Kids clean their bedroom and do their daily chores and I shower, get dressed and spruce up our bedroom and bathroom (i.e. - clear off counters, put away laundry). And everyone eats breakfast after chores are completed.
8-9 - Kids read or play on their computers and Hubby and I have our morning meeting to talk about what we are going to do for the day.
9-11 - I work and DH takes one of the kids to a nearby park for a 3 mile walk and tennis. The other two kids start on their independent schoolwork (Thanks to Time4Learning!)
11 - I make lunch and start dinner or at least start thinking about what we're going to have for dinner. We eat lunch together. The kids do dishes and clean up the counters after lunch as is necessary.
12-1 - I'm working while DH is teaching an investing class to the girls
1-2 - I'm still working. DH starts working. Kids are finishing up independent schoolwork
2-4 - DH is still working. I sit down with the girls and go over anything they had problems with, or just hang out, if miraculously no one needed help with anything. And we have snack time around 3. This is when we go to the store if necessary too.
4-6 - Dinner, Afternoon chores, and finishing of any uncompleted schoolwork.
7-9 - We'll either watch tv with the girls if a new episode of one of our shows is on or watch a movie with the girls. Most likely it'll be a movie from Netflix that correlates with something someone is learning.
9-bed - I do a little more pickup, plan for the next day, or relax. If it's Sunday, I'll use this time to prepare the girls' to do lists for the week.
The above is a typical day when we have nothing else planned, such as a trip with a local homeschooling group.
Living in Florida means we have 5 different options for education of our children:
(a) A public school supported by public funds;
(b) A parochial, religious, or denominational school;
(c) A private school supported in whole or in part by tuition charges or by endowments or gifts;
(d) A home education program
(e) A private tutoring program
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
Florida homeschoolers are also eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, and dual enrollment programs. In addition, Florida homeschoolers are eligible for admission to community colleges and state universities and may receive testing and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers.
For more information about homeschooling in Florida, you may want to read the actual statutes themselves.
Resources to Help You Homeschool in Florida
Additional Florida Homeschooling Resources and Groups
List of groups for homeschoolers
More groups for homeschoolers
Florida Parent Educators Association
Mid Florida Homeschoolers
Homeschool Cooperative Educating in Central Florida
Florida Department of Education Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice
Florida Homeschool Prom
Homeschool Legal Defense Association summary analysis of the homeschooling law in Florida.
Sample teacher evaluation letter
Sample letter of intent
Florida Statues on homeschooling
If you have more questions about homeschooling in Florida, or want to learn more about our experiences in the state, you can contact me in the Florida forum at: mandiana
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