Getting Started & Technicalities
Congratulations on your decision to homeschool your children! It is an exciting and rewarding journey.
Study the State Statutes and find out what your local school district requires. Be sure to fill out the proper paperwork and submit it by the deadline.
Guide to homeschooling in Florida by the FPEA (Florida Parent Educator’s Association)
Keep Records
Keep records of your child’s progress. Progress must be evaluated at the end of each school year and signed by a teacher certified in the state of Florida. Many parents like to keep a portfolio of their child’s work. This is highly recommended. You need not keep every single piece of work that your child did, but you should keep some samples of work from the beginning of the school year, from the middle of the year and then one or two samples from the end of the year in each subject area.
Suggestions:
Keep three file folders labeled August, January and May. For each of these folders place one or two samples of your child’s work.
Keep a record of a few books your child is reading each of these months and place them in the folder. Or, better yet, if you frequent the public library, simply hang on to your receipts.
Place one writing sample in each folder according to when it was completed. Same with a math paper or project.
Any science, history, social studies projects can either be saved or pictures taken of them and placed in the folders.
How To Evaluate Your Child’s Progress
As a homeschooling parent in Florida you have a few options:
1. Have a FL certified teacher do a portfolio evaluation (this is the option most people choose.)
2. Have your child take a nationally normed standardized test
3. Have your child take a state assessment test (such as FCAT)
4. Have a psychological evaluation done by a FL certified psychologist
5. Some other agreement that you have worked out between yourself and the Superintendent of schools in your county.
Memberships
Check my Related Links page for information.
Disclaimer: It is your responsibility as the homeschooling parent to research and know the laws.