By Deborah Kline, Ed.S.
The decision to homeschool can be an overwhelming endeavor, but take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. The good news: you don’t have to have it figured out right away. Below you will find the first steps to homeschooling in the state of Florida… and beyond. You’ve got this!!
Or, if you want someone to walk you through the process and answer your questions, schedule a free 15-minute initial consultation Here! Or email DeborahKlineConsulting@gmail.com
Note: If your child is using the FTC-EO/PEP scholarship for home education, your process will be different from this one. FES-UA recipients and regular Florida homeschoolers use this process.
1. Withdraw your child from your child’s current school (if applicable).
If your child is a kindergartner or you’re moving here from another state, skip to #2.
When you withdraw from your child’s school, you will fill out a withdrawal form at the school and should be given a copy of it and other relevant documents.
If you are pulling in the middle of the year, ask for any workbooks or textbooks the child is entitled to having. Most schools purchase single use workbooks that are often thrown away at the end of the year. These can be especially useful if you need to fill a homeschool gap between schools. Even if you do not use the books, they will help you know which skills/concepts your child has covered that year and which they would be covering the rest of the year.
If applicable, also ask for a copy of your child’s most recent IEP, 504, learning plans, and/or evaluations. Note: it may take the school a few days to provide these items.
2. Submit a Letter of Intent (LoI) to your district home education office.
If you’re not sure how to find the office info, search “your county + home education office” on Google and you should find the site that provides the district office information.
Some districts have online LoI forms, some have printable ones, and some do not provide forms You can contact me at DeborahKlineConsulting@gmail.com if you need a general form and help with this process.
Note: If you are pulling your child from public school to homeschool, some districts require the withdrawal form from the school to submit with your LoI.
3. Check out Florida home education resources:
www.FPEA.org is a great place to start!
4. Familiarize yourself with the Florida homeschool law
You don’t have to memorize this information, but it is important to know where you can find your rights! Click Here to read the entire law.
A brief explanation Florida Statutes 1002.41:
- 1a Details the Letter of Intent (LoI) to be submitted to your district home education office (superintendent). Homeschooling must commence within 30 days of submitting this letter.
- 1c Letter of Termination – To terminate homeschooling, you send a letter of termination. This letter is sent to the district office prior to re-enrolling in school or graduating your child.
- 1d/e Portfolio and Activity Log – This part explains the parent’s obligation to maintain a hard copy portfolio of worksheets, curriculums, tests, PE, activities, field trip pictures, etc. as well as an activity log for 2 years. The log does not have to be daily. The parent determines the contents and organization of the portfolio.
- 1f Annual Evaluation options – This section defines the annual evaluation requirement and options (see below). The evaluation is due each year on the anniversary of submitting your LoI. An evaluation is also needed to re-enroll in public school. The goal of the annual evaluation is to demonstrate proof of progress commensurate to the child’s ability.
I encourage you to visit the entire Florida Homeschool Law which includes your rights regarding information protection, extracurricular (sports) participation, learning disability evaluations, bright futures, dual enrollment, and more!
5. Choose Curriculums/Programs and Start Learning!
Relax. If you’re pulling from school, soak in the peace of not having the rush to make lunches or deal with carline. Have patience and grace with yourself and your kid(s). Remember the goal is to ignite your child’s love of learning! Progress always follows. =)
“The goal is to ignite your child’s love of learning… progress always follows!”
Deborah Kline, Ed.S.
This first season of homeschooling can be full of trial and error. The amount of resources can be overwhelming. Sometimes it takes a few different curriculums/programs/methods to figure out which clicks for your child. This is where I come in!
I’m here to help throughout the process: deciding curriculums, online programs, traditional, hybrid, co-ops, unschooling, and more!
Every child is uniquely wired for his/her optimal learning! My passion is going on this learning journey with YOU – providing the resources you need to create a thriving learning environment based on your family needs and your child’s unique learning profile!
To book a free initial consultation, click Here.
BEYOND The First Month…
Maintain a Portfolio
Your portfolio may consist of curriculums, worksheets, papers, educational activities, photos of field trips, etc. The parent determines the contents and organization of the materials. By law, you must keep the portfolio for 2 years in rare case of audit. For samples and ideas, click Here.
Keep an Activity Log
Per Florida law, home educators must also keep a log of educational activities. It can be as simple or as detailed as you prefer! For easy to use activity log and planning templates, click Here.
Annual Evaluation Options
As you approach the anniversary of enrolling your child in homeschooling, you will be required to have one of the following annual evaluations performed to prove your child’s progress:
- Portfolio evaluation by a certified teacher. For more info, click Here
- Norm-referenced testing by a certified teacher. For more info, click Here
- State assessment administered by the public school system
- Psychological evaluation by a licensed Psychologist. Looking for a Psychologist in Central Florida? click Here
Submit Your Annual Evaluation
By law, parents must submit the annual evaluation form or test score report (i.e. the evaluator is not allowed to submit the forms).
These forms are due to your district home education office 1 year from the anniversary of submitting your Letter of Intent.
Terminating Homeschooling
If you wish to stop homeschooling, you may do so at any time. You will need to submit a Letter of Termination and final evaluation to your district home education office.
To re-enroll your child in school, you will need to provide the final evaluation form or test scores to show your child made progress during your time of homeschooling whether it is for 2 months or 10 years.
High school students will need a transcript recording complete courses taken to receive credit for those courses. End of course exams or portfolio proof of completion may also be required.
I am here to help with this process – ensuring your child has a smooth transition back to school and provide the documentation and support for his/her learning needs in his/her next learning environment!
Deborah Kline, EdS 