Florida Homeschool Requirements

Requirements to notify the state or local district of intent to homeschool.

Parents must file a written Letter of Intent with their county school district superintendent within 30 days of starting a home education program. The notice must include full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all enrolled children.

Subjects the state mandates be taught.

Florida law prescribes no specific curriculum or required subjects for home education programs. Parents have complete freedom over curriculum, materials, and methods.

Minimum instructional days or hours per year.

Florida home education programs are explicitly excluded from school-day hour requirements. No minimum daily, weekly, or annual instructional hours are required.

Standardized testing, portfolio review, or other assessment requirements.

Parents must provide an annual evaluation documenting educational progress commensurate with the student's ability. The parent chooses from five approved methods: certified teacher review, standardized test, state test, psychologist evaluation, or mutually agreed tool.

Records, attendance logs, or portfolios the family must maintain.

Parents must maintain a portfolio with a contemporaneous log of educational activities (noting reading materials by title) and samples of student work. The portfolio must be preserved for two years and made available for inspection within 15 days of written notice.

Education level, certification, or other qualifications required of the teaching parent.

Florida requires no teaching certificate, college degree, or credential for parents conducting home education. Any parent who complies with statutory requirements may homeschool.

Immunization, vision/hearing screening, or health requirements for homeschooled students.

School immunization and health exam requirements apply to public/private school enrollment, not home education programs under §1002.41. However, students participating in public school extracurricular activities must meet immunization requirements.

Provisions for students with disabilities or IEPs in a homeschool setting.

Districts must identify, locate, and evaluate children with disabilities including those in home education (IDEA child find). Districts may provide ESE-related services to home education students who enroll part-time. Full IEP rights require public school enrollment.

Process to withdraw from public school or formally enroll as a homeschool student.

To start homeschooling, file a Letter of Intent within 30 days. When ending, file a Notice of Termination and final evaluation within 30 days. Any continuously registered home education student has the right to enroll in a Florida public school at any time.

Age range during which education is compulsory.

Florida compulsory attendance applies to children ages 6 through 15 (until the school year in which they turn 16). Home education registered under §1002.41 satisfies the compulsory attendance requirement.

Rules around issuing a homeschool diploma or equivalent.

Florida does not issue a public school diploma to home education graduates. Completion is documented by a parent-signed, notarized affidavit of completion, which is legally equivalent to a high school diploma for Florida college admission under §1007.263(2)(a).

Whether homeschooled students may participate in public school sports or activities.

Florida's 'Tim Tebow law' (§1006.15) gives home education students the right to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities, including sports, at their assigned public school. Districts may not impose additional requirements that make participation less accessible for home education students.