Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Florida and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Florida.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
2012 Florida Statutes -- 1002.41 Home education programs
1002.41 Home education programs.—
(1) A “home education program” is defined in s. 1002.01. The parent is not required to hold a valid regular Florida teaching certificate.
(a) The parent shall notify the district school superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education program. The notice shall be in writing, signed by the parent, and shall include the names, addresses, and birthdates of ...
Notice of Termination of a Home Education Program
Sample Notice of Termination of a Home Education Program in pdf format.
Florida House of Representatives
The official site of the Florida House of Representatives. You'll find information about the current session, along with a daily schedule and links that allow you to contact your representative.
Notice of Intent to Establish and Maintain a Home Education Program
Sample Notice of Intent in pdf format. You do not have to use a form provided by the School District nor provide any information beyond what is required by law.
Learning is For Everyone (LIFE)
LIFE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit Florida corporation, supports educational choice and advocates a cooperative environment between public, private and home education.
Florida Senate
The official site of the Florida State Senate. You'll find links to the current session and committee activity. You can also contact your senator.
Notice of Intent to Home Educate Sample
Sample printable form of notice of intent to home educate.
High School Credit Tracking Worksheet
This sheet is for tracking the 24 credits required of Florida public school student. Adjust it to fit your graduation needs.
Home Education Annual Evaluation Form
Sample home education annual evaluation form in pdf format.
1007.261 State universities; admissions of students.
Each university board of trustees is authorized to adopt rules governing the admission of students, subject to this section and rules of the State Board of Education.
(1) Minimum academic standards for undergraduate admission to a university include:
(a) Each student must have received a high school diploma pursuant to s. 1003.429 or s. 1003.43, or its equivalent, except as provided in s. 1007.271(2)-(5) or completed a home education program according to s. 1002.41.
(b) Each stude...
Santa Rosa County School District
Information about the Santa Rosa County School District.
Homeschool Attorneys in Florida
These attorneys have indicated that they are willing to provide legal information, consult with or represent homeschoolers on homeschooling or other legal issues they may have in their states. Most of these attorneys homeschool or have homeschooled their own children.
1002.43 Private tutoring programs.
(1) Regular school attendance as defined in s. 1003.01(13) may be achieved by attendance in a private tutoring program if the person tutoring the student meets the following requirements:
(a) Holds a valid Florida certificate to teach the subjects or grades in which instruction is given.
(b) Keeps all records and makes all reports required by the state and district school board and makes regular reports on the attendance of students in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.23(2). ...
Dixie County School Board
Contact and other information for the Dixie County School Board.
Florida Home Education Annual Evaluation Form
Sample form to provide for annual evaluation.
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this site.
Why We Homeschool
It is a common misconception that most parents homeschool due to bullies, school shootings, or bad teaching content. While these things are important, there is a higher purpose for choosing to home education your children. Even if all those things we...
Florida History from the Highways
Discover Florida, with its unique geography and exciting history--from ancient gold to modern real estate speculation--by journeying along its highways. Beginning with a chronology and succinct account of Florida's spectacular development, then an ac...
Flip Over Math Manipulatives
Grades 1-5. Tub of over 500 manipulatives includes Pattern Blocks, Connecting People, Cuisenaire Rods, Coins, and Bean Counters and can be used with the Flip Over Math Books. This 49 page book (others sold separately) is written to NCTM Standards and...
Handbook of Nature Study
A matchless handbook for decades, this classic work has been the natural history bible for countless teachers and others who seek information about their environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common p...
Montessori Method
This book is Montessori's own exposition of the theory behind her innovative educational techniques. She shows parents, teachers and administrators how to "free a child to learn through his own efforts".