Homeschool Law in the United States of America: Florida

"Are you just starting out? Looking for information about Florida homeschooling law, as well as practical advice about where to begin? Getting started can seem overwhelming, which is why this section of the site was developed. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about legal requirements in Florida so you can get your program up and running quickly and easily."

"Home Education is a parent-directed educational option that satisfies the requirement for regular school attendance. Florida Laws protecting home education became effective in 1985. Parents have the freedom to determine their child's educational path and the plan for reaching their goals. Students have the opportunity to explore and learn at their own pace, in any location or at any time. Home education students are able to enter institutions of higher learning and are eligible to participate in the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. More than 60,000 students in approximately 42,000 families are in Home Education Programs throughout Florida."

"Home education, as defined by Florida law, is “sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian in order to satisfy the requirements of Statute 1003.21 and 1002.41.” The law is broad, giving parents quite a bit of freedom to direct their child’s education. Children of all ages are home-educated across the state, and many are entering college straight from their courses of study at home."

"When it comes to a child’s education, there are many different things to consider. If, as a parent, you feel that your child would be better educated in the home, you are entitled to homeschool your child provided that you follow the laws and requirements for home education. Each state’s laws are different, but all conform to the nationwide standard for education among the children of our society. In Florida, as in many states, the parent is not required to have a teaching certificate, but there are many regulations that need to be followed."

"(1) A “home education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent in order to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1002.41, 1003.01(13), and 1003.21(1)."

Requirements and rules for home educators.

"(13) “Regular school attendance” means the actual attendance of a student during the school day as defined by law and rules of the State Board of Education."

"All children who have attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years, except as otherwise provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term."