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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Liberty County Schools
The mission of Liberty County Schools is to inspire a love of learning, instill social responsibility and prepare all student for success.
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). ...
Notice of Intent to Home Educate Sample
Sample printable form of notice of intent to home educate.
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.
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.
The Home Education Foundation (HEF)
HEF was established in 1991 to raise support and direct lobbying for home education in Florida. HEF exists to safeguard existing legislation and evaluate future legislation.
Florida Department of Education
The website for the Florida Department of Education.
Santa Rosa County School District
Information about the Santa Rosa County School District.
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.
District Contact Information (Home Schools)
This is a complete listing by school district of district contacts for home schools. Includes names, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses.
1007.27 Articulated acceleration mechanisms.
(4) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide articulated acceleration mechanisms for students who are in home education programs, as defined in s. 1002.01, consistent with the educational opportunities available to public and private secondary school students. Home education students may participate in dual enrollment, career dual enrollment, early admission, and credit by examination. Credit earned by home education students through dual enrollment shall apply toward the completion of a ...
Political Action Updates
Home Education Foundation monitors legislative action that affects homeschoolers in Florida. Check on the latest information and pending issues.
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.
1007.271 Dual enrollment programs.
(1) The dual enrollment program is the enrollment of an eligible secondary student or home education student in a postsecondary course creditable toward a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree ...
(10)(a) The dual enrollment program for home education students consists of the enrollment of an eligible home education secondary student in a postsecondary course creditable toward an associate degree, a career certificate, or a baccalaureate degree. To participate in the d...
Online Sunshine
This is the official site for the Florida state legislature. Includes information on the Senate and House. You'll also find links to statutes, the state Constitution, and the laws of Florida. The Information Center offers documents describing how laws are made, the committee process, and much more.
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Featured Resources
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Drawn Into the Heart of Reading
Drawn Into the Heart of Reading was developed for use with students of multiple ages at the same time, perfect for the homeschooling family. It is designed for use as an entire reading program or as a supplement to an existing program for students in...
Only Child: Writers on the Singular Joys and Solitary Sorrows of Growing Up Solo
Only children don’t have to share bedrooms, toys, or the backseat of a car. They don’t have to share allowances, inheritances, or their parents’ attention. But when they get into trouble, they can’t just blame their imaginary friends. In Only Child, ...
Free to Learn: Introducing Steiner Waldorf Earkt Childhood Education
Free to Learn is a unique guide to the principles and methods of Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood education. The author draws on kindergarten experience from around the world, with stories, helpful insights, lively observations and pictures. This insp...
The Exhausted School: Bending the Bars of Traditional Education
These 13 essays, presented at the 1993 National Grassroots Speakout on the Right to School Choice, illustrate how education reform actually works. Written by award-winning teachers and their students, these essays present successful teaching methods ...
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...