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.
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Gadsden County Schools
Website for Gadsden County Schools.
Extra Curricular Activities
Home-educated students in Florida have the opportunity to participate in Extracurricular activities. Florida Statutes 232.425, known as the Craig Dickinson Act, guarantees this opportunity. However, this was not always the case. This article is a history of HEF's work toward achieving this goal.
Martin County School Board
Contact information, board rules, agendas and minutes for the Martin County School Board.
Summary of Home Education Requirements
A short summary of the laws regulating home education in the state of Florida, provided by the Florida Department of Education.
Daily/Weekly Log
This form is used to track reading materials used during the week.
Sample Notice of Termination of a Home Education Program
A sample of a letter sent to the county school board stating one's termination of a home-education program in that county.
Homeschool Portfolios for the State of Florida
Basically there are two distinctions to be kept in mind: the law requires every county-registered homeschooler to keep a portfolio (as opposed to umbrella school homeschoolers or full time virtual school/public schoolers at home homeschoolers) regardless of the method of annual evaluation used and portfolios may be used as the annual evaluation of a home education program.
1003.23 Attendance records and reports.
(2) All officials, teachers, and other employees in public, parochial, religious, denominational, and private K-12 schools, including private tutors, shall keep all records and shall prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be required by law and by rules of the State Board of Education and district school boards. Such records shall include a register of enrollment and attendance and all persons described above shall make these reports therefrom as may be required by the State Board of ...
Florida Department of Education
The website for the Florida Department of Education.
Orange County School Board
There are eight members that make up the Orange County School Board. Seven are elected from the single district which they represent, where each must reside in that district; and one is elected county wide and serves as the chairman of the school board.
Notice of Termination of a Home Education Program
Sample Notice of Termination of a Home Education Program in pdf format.
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.
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.
Political Action Updates
Home Education Foundation monitors legislative action that affects homeschoolers in Florida. Check on the latest information and pending issues.
EL7: Registration Form for Home Education Student to Participate in Athletic Program at Member School
Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) form EL7, Registration Form for Home Education Student to Participate in Athletic Program at Member School. This form must be completed each year and filed with the principal of the school that the student will represent before the student can be permitted to participate in practice sessions. This form must be retained until the student’s limit of opportunity for eligibility has expired.
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