Newbies to homeschooling or Florida look here! So you are thinking about homeschool, or maybe you have taken the dive and need some help ASAP? There are some things you need to consider in starting the journey.
For and overview and legal questions you may have check out
http://www.fpea.com/starting/index/css/starting_point.html to get you started. You definitely want to consider becoming a member of FPEA through your local homeschool group (such as Vine Ripe Kids) for a discounted membership, and try to attend the yearly homeschool convention held on Memorial Day Weekend -which attracted more than 16,000 people in May 2007! Get a boost from great lectures on academics, marriage, and parenting, and specific issues for your homeschool situation. Plus curriculum info and countless vendors.
Responsibilities of a homeschool parent (Florida Statute 232.0201)
(Please note that students registered and participating in a 600 school, or umbrella school, will be considered private school attendees, and will fall under their statutes.)
1. Provide written notice of intent to school districe Superintendent office. This must include name of parent that will be responsible, the name(s) and birth date(s) of the child(ren), home address, and phone number for all children 6-16 yrs of age. (Don't include more information than is required!) You don't need to register a 5 yr old homeschooled Kindergartener if they will turn 6 after February 1, but if you do, then you are required to submit an end of the year porfolio.
If in Orange County, go to this website - then follow prompts for homeschooling. There will be forms available for downloads with valuable inforamation. You may also request a Home Education Packet by phone @ (407) 317-3407 or for any questions you may have.
2. Maintain portfolio/records for each child.
A. Keep a log, made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading material used, and
B. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, and creative materials used or developed by the student(s).
3. Preserve each student's porfolio for two years and make it available for inspection by the Superintentdent, upon a 15-day written notice.
4. Provide an annual education evaluation of each student by:
A. Selecting a teacher holding a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level to review and discuss with the student the contents of the portfolio, or (a listing of Central Florida evaluators available on this web-site)
B. Having the student take a nationally-normed student achievemant test that is administered by a certified teacher, or (also listed on this web-site)
C. Having the student take a state student assessment test, or
D. Having each student evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license, or
E. Having each student evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the Superintendent's designee and the student's parent prior to the evaluation.
5. Submit the results obtained from the annual educational evaluation in writing to the Superintentdent's designee. It is recommended that you send the completed evaluation results to the Superintendent's office by certified mail, return reciept requested. You may also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and the office will mail you a receipt.
6. Must notify County's Superintendants Office of intent to terminate Home School Education program upon registering at a public or private school, or moving out of the county. This is due within 30 days of when you stop your home school program. Again, send certified, return reciept requested.
Orange County Public Schools
Attention: Home Education
Educational Leadership Center - 7
445 W. Amelia St.
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 317-3407
Website