Florida

Florida Statute § 1002.41 (Home Education Programs)

This statute governs traditional home education in Florida, where parents register directly with the school district.

Additional Statutes

"Home education program" means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian in order to satisfy the requirements of F.S. 1003.21 and 1002.41.

Key Feature: Florida offers three distinct legal options for educating children at home, each with different requirements and implications.

Florida provides three ways to legally educate your child at home:

*Umbrella school students may participate at private schools by agreement, but NOT at public schools under the Craig Dickinson Act.

Which Option is Right for You?

Choose Option 1 (Home Education Program) if you:

• Want eligibility for public school sports/extracurriculars
• Plan to apply for Bright Futures scholarship
• Don't mind annual evaluation requirement
• Want the most common, well-understood path

Choose Option 2 (Umbrella School) if you:

• Prefer maximum privacy
• Want school-issued transcripts and diplomas
• Don't need public school sports access
• Want administrative support with recordkeeping

Choose Option 3 (Private Tutor) if you:

• Are a certified Florida teacher yourself
• Want to hire a certified teacher
• Want zero reporting requirements

This is the most common option, governed by F.S. § 1002.41.

Requirements Overview

Notice of Intent

You must notify the superintendent within 30 days of establishing your home education program. Notice must include:

• Parent's signature
• Full legal names of all children enrolled
• Addresses of all children
• Birthdates of all children

Important: This is a one-time notification (not annual), but you must file again if you move to a new county, previously terminated, or add a new child.

What Florida Does NOT Require

• No specific subjects
• No minimum hours or days
• No attendance records
• No teacher qualifications
• No curriculum approval
• No prior approval to begin

Also called "cover schools" or "600 schools," umbrella schools are private schools that offer a homeschool option.

How It Works

1. You enroll your child in a registered private school
2. The school oversees your homeschool program
3. You educate at home but follow school's requirements
4. No notification to superintendent required

Benefits vs Limitations

Benefits:

• Maximum privacy (records are private)
• School-issued transcripts and diplomas
• Administrative support available
• No direct government oversight

Limitations:

• NOT eligible for public school sports under Craig Dickinson Act
• May have enrollment fees
• Must follow school's requirements
• Bright Futures requires extra documentation

Legal Status: Children enrolled in umbrella schools are legally considered private school students, not homeschoolers. This distinction matters for sports eligibility and scholarships.

For Option 1 (Home Education Program) only. Your portfolio must contain two components:

1. Log of Educational Activities

• Must be created contemporaneously (at the same time as instruction)
• Must designate by title any reading materials used
• Keeps documentation in chronological order

2. Work Samples

Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.

Portfolio Rules

• Who determines content: Parent
• How long to keep: 2 years
• Inspection: Available if requested with 15 days written notice (superintendent is usually not required to inspect)

Organization Tips

• "Contemporaneous" means document as you go, not at the end
• Include samples from beginning, middle, and end of year
• Date all work samples
• Keep reading log with book titles
• Quality over quantity — representative samples are sufficient

For Option 1 (Home Education Program) only. You must choose ONE of the following options each year to demonstrate progress commensurate with ability:

Option A: Certified Teacher Review

A Florida certified teacher (you select) evaluates progress by reviewing the portfolio and discussing with the student.

Option B: Nationally Normed Standardized Test

Student takes any nationally normed achievement test (e.g., SAT, Iowa, CAT) administered by a certified teacher.

Option C: State Assessment Test

Student takes a Florida state assessment used by the school district (at district-approved location/conditions).

Option D: Psychologist Evaluation

Student is evaluated by a licensed psychologist.

Option E: Mutually Agreed Method

Any other valid measurement tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent.

Filing: File a copy of the evaluation with the superintendent's office at the end of each school year. Keep original for your records.

If Progress Is Not Demonstrated

1. Superintendent notifies parent in writing
2. Parent has 1 year probationary period for remediation
3. Student is re-evaluated at end of probation
4. Continuation contingent on showing progress

Bright Futures Scholarship

Florida's merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship is available to homeschoolers!

Eligibility Requirements:

• Registration: Registered with district for current AND prior academic year
• Courses: 16 college-prep courses
• GPA: 3.5 weighted (FAS) or 3.0 weighted (FMS)
• Test Scores: ACT 29+ or SAT 1330+ (FAS); ACT 24+ or SAT 1190+ (FMS)
• Service Hours: 100 hours (FAS) or 75 hours (FMS)

Important: Use CEEB code 0095 when sending scores. Document service hours through your district home education office.

Dual Enrollment

Homeschoolers in grades 6-12 can participate in dual enrollment at Florida colleges to earn college AND high school credit. Contact your local state college for requirements.

Diplomas

• Parent-issued diplomas are legally valid
• Umbrella school students receive school-issued diplomas
• Parents determine graduation requirements and when student has completed high school

Extracurricular Activities (Craig Dickinson Act)

F.S. § 1006.15 guarantees home education students access to public school extracurricular activities.

• Eligibility: Students registered under Option 1 (not umbrella schools)
• Activities: Sports (FHSAA), band, choir, clubs, etc.
• Location: Zoned public school OR any school via controlled open enrollment
• Requirements: Same residence, behavior, and performance standards as enrolled students
• No enrollment in classes required

Florida Virtual School (FLVS)

Homeschoolers can take courses through FLVS FLEX for free. Courses can supplement your homeschool curriculum. (Full-time FLVS follows different rules).

FHSAA Sports

Required forms include EL2 (Physical), EL3 (Consent), GA4 (Parent Acknowledgment), EL7 (Registration), and EL7V (Verification). Contact your county for specific submission processes.

Special Needs Students

• Gardiner Scholarship: For students with IEPs/504 plans, provides funds for educational expenses (apply via Step Up for Students)
• Diagnostic Services: Home education students may receive testing/evaluation services at diagnostic centers (F.S. § 1002.41)

Moving

• To Florida: File Notice of Intent within 30 days of establishing residency
• Within Florida: File Notice with new county within 30 days (program continues uninterrupted)

Returning to Public School

• School determines grade placement based on portfolio/evaluation review
• No discrimination based on home education background
• Contact zoned school to enroll

Florida is known for being homeschool-friendly with several unique benefits:

1. No subject requirements — Complete curriculum freedom
2. No hours requirements — Flexible scheduling
3. Multiple options — Choose home ed, umbrella, or private tutor
4. Sports access — Guaranteed by law (Craig Dickinson Act)
5. Bright Futures eligible — Full merit scholarship available
6. Dual enrollment — Free college courses
7. Evaluation flexibility — Five different options
8. One-time notification — Not annual renewal

Unique Feature: The umbrella school option provides a completely private alternative with zero government reporting, while still being a fully legal way to educate at home.

Key Differences from Other States

*Texas only requires notification if withdrawing from public school