Section 1002.01, Florida Statutes (F.S.), defines home education as the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his/her parent or guardian in order to satisfy the requirement for compulsory education as defined in s. 1002.20(2), 1003.01(13), and 1003.21(1).

The law requires the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) of home education students to: 

• Submit Notice of Intent to Establish a Home Education Program Form within 30 days of the start date.

• Maintain Parent Report of Home School Grades 

• Adhere to the Annual Evaluation Checklist 

• Submit Notice of Intent to Terminate a Home Education Program when returning to public school.

• All students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct when testing on a MCSD campus.

F.S. Current law does not prescribe a curriculum or course of study for home education programs. Home Education is 100% parent-driven, and by enrolling in home education, the parent assumes all educational responsibilities regardless of the mechanism used to educate their child. This includes all corresponding curricula, books, and/or online resources and materials. 

Parents must maintain a portfolio for each student they are homeschooling. It's recommend maintaining both a physical and digital copy of your records in a safe place because Florida homeschool law requires the portfolio to be maintained for 2 years after recording. 

Parents are required to maintain records of the following: 

• Attendance records
• Immunization records
• Log of all educational activities
• Texts and workbooks used
• Student school work samples
• Test and evaluation results
• Any correspondence with school officials

There is no diploma issued by the public school system in Florida for the completion of a home education program. A signed affidavit of completion (notarized letter) submitted by the student’s parent attesting that the student has completed a home education program, pursuant to the requirements of s.1002.41, F.S. is the legal document of completion.