The Basics Of Homeschooling In Florida

Many people have found that homeschooling is something that works for their family and every day more and more people join the ranks of homeschoolers. Depending on which state you live in, you will find that the particular requirements will vary significantly. It is important to understand fully what is necessary in order to homeschool in your particular state to be sure that you are legally in compliance with the laws governing your homeschool.

Homeschooling in Florida is a fairly straightforward process. The first thing you need to do is notify the school district, in writing, that you will be setting up a homeschool for your child. You will need to include the child’s full name, date of birth and address. This does not have to be a long or difficult letter, just the basic facts and your intention to withdraw the student and begin a homeschool program. Even if your child has never attended public school, you will still need to notify the county school board of your intentions to homeschool.

Once you have notified the school district of your intentions, you can start your home education program. The choices are numerous and it is often best to get involved with a homeschool group to help you learn about different curriculum choices and options. There are also conferences that cater to the family that is home educating, these can be a great place to learn about different curriculum options and actually speak with the vendors and get a hands on look at their products.

Once you start looking for homeschooling materials, you will find that you are inundated with options and choices. Everything from foreign language DVD programs to science computer programs, the resources available for home education are abundant. It is easy to quickly find yourself with more educational products than you will ever need, so take it slow. You will soon find that not every program is ideal for each family. Some families in your homeschool group may love a particular math program, but for your child this may not be the one that works best. Be willing to experiment a little, especially in the beginning so that you find a program that works best for your child and family.

Another mistake that many people new to homeschooling make is that they look at their home education program as an extension of a traditional school. You are homeschooling to get away from the traditional school environment. Uniforms, desks and all that are not important in a home environment. While each homeschool family is different, most are casual and allow the children to read in the yard, do math on their bed, or work on a science project in the kitchen. It is important to have some structure, but it doesn’t have to be a duplication of the public school system.

Homeschooling in Florida does not require you to record hours spent in class work, but you do need to keep a portfolio of the child’s work and have an evaluation once a year. This evaluation will assess whether your child is progressing at a rate in accordance to their ability. Many families have found that the requirements in Florida are fairly easy to meet and homeschooling allows them the freedom to pursue their areas of interest while learning in a home environment.