A look at home schooling laws in Florida

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The thought of the legalities involved with homeschooling often changes a parent's mind about making the choice before they have even really considered it. While some states are more particular and rigorous in their standards, the laws to which Florida Homeschooler's must adhere to are really quite simple.

To begin homeschooling your child in the state of Florida all you have to do is submit a letter of intent to the district school superintendent of the county in which you reside. You can find this address in the phone book, by looking up your local school district online or contacting a local school for the information. The letter should be in writing and contain the names, addresses and birthdates for all of the children you wish to enroll in your home education program along with your signature. You must submit the letter of intent within 30 days of starting your home school program. You must also submit a letter to the superintendent withen 30 days of terminating your home education program if you wish do so at any time.

The next step to abiding to Florida law is to maintain a portfolio of records and materials while home educating your child. The portfolio must contain a log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used. It should also include samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student. There are many planners and tools available these days to help assist home educators in doing this with ease. You should keep this portfolio for a minimum of 2 years and have it available for inspection by the superintendent within 15 days of written notice should it be deemed necessary.

Finally, you must provide an annual educational evaluation for your child. The evaluation should document your child's demonstration of educational progress at a level proportionate with his or her ability. You as the parent may decide on the method of evaluation from the available choices then must submit a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent's office. You may have the evaluation done in one of the following manners:

Select a teacher with a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level. The teacher should evaluate your child's progress by reviewing their portfolio and having a discussion with them;
Your child can take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher; Your child can take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher at a location and under testing conditions approved by the district; Your child may be evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid active license; or Your child may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by you and the district superintendent.

Some common misconceptions when regarding home school law in the state of Florida is that you must have a teaching certificate to teach your own child and that you must keep attendance. While these are requirements in some states, neither is true for the state of Florida. Another misconception made by many people is that once you choose to home school your child you forfeit certain extracurricular and scholarship opportunities for them. The state of Florida requires that home educated students be permitted to participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities in their district and that they are eligible to participate in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. A final misconception is that home educated children are not available to use some of the same services offered to public school students. The Florida law states that they may receiving testing and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers.

Now you may be wondering how your choice to home school may affect your child's college education in the state of Florida. All home education students may participate in dual enrollment programs, are eligible for admission to community colleges and are eligible for admission to state universities in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the board of governors.

It is my hope that you have been able to easily find the answer to any question regarding the Florida home education laws in this article. For, after all, the legalities of a situation should never scare a person away from having a choice.

How to instill life learning in the home school

Life learning always has started in the home. It seems it is therefore very appropriate that this be part of a home schooled child's curriculum. Children tend to blossom when they are being taught in a hands on learning environment. The biggest help is to just let THEM do it. Here are some ideas of ways to promote learning from life in to your home school curriculum.

Service: The best way to teach a child to serve and care for others is to give them the opportunity to do so. Plan activities like visiting senior centers, or picking up trash before playing at the park. The more they serve with you by their side, the more likely they are to grow into adults that serve.

Finances and Math: Start by teaching them to work and save for the things they want. There are several methods from paying them for each job they do, to giving an allowance if they complete the jobs assigned during the week, to even encouraging them to start their own business. When a child has to work for money, they value it more, and are more likely to save it for things they really want or need. Next, teach them to use a checkbook and register. Although the plastic credit/debit card is taking over, checks are still a handy thing to know how to use. When they reach an age that they can comprehend a little more, teach them about percentage rates, loans, mortgages, and other things they will have to know to survive life on their own someday. Once a child learns how to figure percentages let them figure out the discounts on merchandise they want to buy. The more they know and do when they are young, the less likely they will fall into the discouraging pitfall of debt, and the more they will remember the lessons learned.

Self-Reliance: It's good to include in your home school regiment the teaching of self-reliance skills. If you lack a skill that you wish your child could learn, sewing for example, look into what kind of programs are available. The 4-H program can be found in most counties and states, and offers many classes led by volunteer instructors. Classes range from horseback riding to bread baking. To know what is available go to your county 4-H office. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are also good programs for learning skills to make one independent.

Friendship: The only downfall to home school is the lack of social involvement. There are ways around this however. One way is to create home school groups that can meet once a week or more in person. It gives children the opportunity to gain social skills, and gives adults a chance to swap ideas making the whole home school experience better for child and parent. Another way to teach friendship, is to get your child involved in extracurricular activities. Youth theater camps, clubs, sports, and music are just a few ideas. If you can get them out of the house and interacting with other kids and adults, it's easy to teach social skills by guiding and correcting where needed.

Reading: Asking a young child to help read the names of stores, road signs, can labels, news paper articles, and other simple objects, can help them learn to read. Reading fun books out loud to them from you, and the other way around at night can help a child gain a love for reading. This is a life skill that they will carry into adulthood, and will enrich their lives for continual growth and learning.

In conclusion, yes there should be time set aside for traditional studies, but learning is a life long process, so why not let them learn from doing as well as studying.

The role encouragement plays in home schooling

Encouragement is an often overlooked but very crucial part of home schooling for both child and parent. The old adage "two heads are better than one" applies also to encouragement . Parents as well as children need regular words of comfort or inspiration from others around them. Who doesn't like to hear a few words of kindness to keep us focused and productive every so often. Have you ever found yourself feeling discouraged, weary or just plan tired of the daily rituals? After awhile things can become repetitive, a going through the motions if you will. And just when you thought you couldn't stand it another minute someone gives you a few words of appreciation and encouragement that brighten your day. You can't run a car off of air or wishful thinking so the same applies to each of us as well. We don't need gas to go but we do need thoughtful words and a little compassion from those around us to give us the desire to do our best.

When it comes to home schooling a child no matter what the age in order to get their best the parent must understand the important part encouragement plays. With small children in grades K-3 repetition is key in learning no matter what the subject is you are teaching them. As an adult it is easy to forget that because we have already learned well beyond what we are teaching their minds have yet to completely grasp the concepts. Also lets not forget that school work even when done in a home environment is still school work to any child. We all remember how quickly we became tired and dread filled us at the thought of another science report or history assignment. With all the planning and at times chaos that can go on during the year don't miss an opportunity to say a few words to inspire and complement your child. Thankfully there are several ways to encourage your child and they are a fun and easy. One great way is to find a trustworthy home schooling website just for home schooled children.

There are usually chat areas (safely monitored) where they can talk and share experiences with other kids just like them. There are also great educational games to play and articles to read written by other home schooled children. Another highly suggested idea is to be apart of a local home school group, one that meets several times a month so your child can learn as well as play with others in this unique setting. The best way to encourage any child is always from the parents mouth. Remember your child is an investment and you will always get out what you put into them. If all you put in is frustration, complaints, or irritating sighs guess what your child will become discouraged and less productive as a result. You are sacrificing so much to be at home and teach your child an outstanding education why would you hurt that with a negative attitude. When you tell your child "Great Job, your doing an awesome job today or wow! I'm so proud of you" your not just helping them to stay determined but they will also begin to become your encouragement as well.

Finally don't forget that just like children need encouragement so does the parent especially since there is usually one primary parent who does most of the home schooling. Some days seems like they run together it's been so long since you've left the house and feeling like your stuck in a rut doesn't take long. We all need an outlet and a fresh breath of air sometimes so don't deny yourself this necessary comfort . It is much easier to be a source of strength for your children when you yourself are being up lifted by others. A simple way to recharge your outlook is to be a part of a home schooling group on the internet. Cafemom.com has an outstanding site just for home school moms with new postings daily from encouragement to advice.

Also dependable friends to go out with and talk to are always a great comfort. Getting involved with a local home school or supportive church group can be a just what you need. The old proverb " two are better than one, when one lies down the other keeps them warm" is so true and puts the important focus of the other spouse's roll in home school setting. If one is doing most of the teaching the other should be breathing inspiration and strength into there partner. There is no doubt home schooling can be very demanding and seem repetitive at times. Which is why a few simple words of kindness or a choice to take a deep breath before speaking can bring new strength and inspiration into each day.