Could someone out there let me know what i would need to do about home schooling in Florida?

Question

I'm moving to Florida soon, my kids are in school now in Michigan, but i was thinking about maybe home schooling them in Florida. I would like to know the most resonable way to do it. Also, someone said I could get free materials or info from the library?? Thank You

Answer 1

Welcome to the Sunshine State!

I've found FL a very friendly homeschooling state. The requirements are pretty easy to abide by:

1) notify the board of ed.

2) the parent/guardian must be the main teacher

3) keep a portfolio, including a reading list and work samples

4) get an annual evaluation-- this can be taking the state test (FCATs) in the local school, or hiring a licensed educator or evaluator to administer a test OR review the portfolio.

Florida is a very active homeschool state-- there are A LOT of co-ops and support groups to be found that engage in all kinds of activities, from play dates to clubs to field trips to camp outs.

There are also lots of activities in many cities in local  libraries and museums aimed at homeschoolers, it's easy to get homeschool discounts on memberships to museums and stuff or on educational supplies at stores (they give you teachers discounts)-- many places around our county have "homeschoolers day" where you get in for free or a great discount.

Florida has the K-12 program which wouldn't technically make you a homeschooler, but you could school your child at home for free over the computer. But, since there aren't stringent regulations regarding structure or curricula, it's also a friendly state for those less structured or who like to use alternative approaches.

In addition-- not sure if this is every county, but I know there's quite a few of them- FL allows homeschoolers to take some classes in schools and homeschool the rest of the time, or to participate in sport teams and such. They also allow homeschoolers to go through the dual enrollment program in which they get to take jr college courses from age 15.

Oh, and the counties I've been in have had libraries with lots of educational teaching resources that homeschooling parents can check out. My county used to also have give aways every couple of years of old school text books and work books no longer in use.

Homeschooling-friendliness is one of the main reasons I never want to move out of this state, lol

Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm not in Florida, but first you need to look up the homeschooling laws in Florida which you can find here:

http://www.flhef.org/laws.html

Most libraries do have free materials, but if you are thinking about using the internet you can also sign them up for Florida's k12 program which is actually a virtual academy - but still counted as public schooling which may be helpful in easing into your first year as you have a curriculum and everything set up. http://www.k12.com/getk12/index.html

The most important thing to find is going to be a support system in homeschooling - a group or a co-op. This is where you will be able to offer socialization for your child, as well as parenting resource and get the real facts about homeschooling in the area (by other parents who have or are doing it)

http://www.home-school.com/groups/FL.htm...

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome to Florida!

Interested in home schooling? Good for you! Our public school system is..., well, there are TONS of homeschoolers in Florida!

Here's where to start:

FPEA.com

Florida Parent Educators Association

You will probably find everything you are looking for on their web site.

It includes info on legal issues, home schooling styles, curriculum. how to get started , finding local support groups and more. Every summer, FPEA hosts a big convention in Orlando .

Homeschooling can be an amazing journey for your family, OR it can be a continuous struggle to get the assignments completed- it all depends on which type of home school you want.

We LOVE Konos unit studies, because it makes homeschooling lots of fun. www.konos.com  

Good Luck!