What is the legal status of homeschooling?

In the state of Florida, homeschooling is legal and considered a form of private instruction. Homeschooling families are not required to seek approval from the state or local school district in order to start homeschooling. They must, however, meet certain criteria in order to remain in compliance with state education law. To begin with, a parent who wishes to homeschool must provide a valid reason for doing so on an affidavit filed with the local school district. This affidavit must establish that the parent is competent and has a good moral character. The parent must also provide a notice to the local school district before homeschooling begins and annually thereafter. Additionally, the parent must have the child’s progress evaluated at least once a year. This can be done in a number of ways, such as through a portfolio review by a certified teacher, a locally-administered standardized test, or a nationally-normed standardized test. If the child fails to make progress, the parent must notify the local school district. Finally, homeschoolers must follow the curriculum framework established by the state, use textbooks on the state’s approved list, and keep certain educational records. As long as they abide by these requirements, homeschoolers are in full compliance with Florida’s education law.

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What is the legal status of homeschooling?

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