Florida requirements for home education include maintaining a portfolio of records and materials for every student in the home education program, and preserving the portfolio for 2 years.
The portfolio stays with the family, and is not "turned in" to anyone. Instead, it is kept at home or somewhere in digital format for at least two years. (Many families keep portfolios much longer than 2 years.)
The law provides a way for districts to inspect the portfolio, with prior notice. While such inspection is optional, districts may, upon 15 days' written notice, ask the parent or guardian to view the homeschool portfolio.
Refer to the language of the Florida Statutes 1002.41(1)(d) and (e) below:
1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used. 2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.
(e) The parent shall determine the content of the portfolio, preserve it for 2 years, and make it available for inspection, if requested, by the district school superintendent, or the district school superintendent’s agent, upon 15 days’ written notice. Nothing in this section shall require the district school superintendent to inspect the portfolio.
While districts do not always ask to inspect a homeschool portfolio, they may. Districts are not required to inspect portfolios, and many Florida home educators will never receive such a request. Those who receive a portfolio inspection request will receive it in writing, giving at least 15 days notice to comply.
When an inspection occurs, the parent will typically be invited to bring the portfolio on a given date and time, to the homeschool liaison's or school superintendent's office. Nothing in the law requires the student to be present during the portfolio inspection. The portfolio will be returned to the parent or guardian.
For questions about home education requirements, the Florida Homeschool Association offers a START HERE guide full of information. Families are also invited to join our discussion groups or to contact us with questions or concerns.
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