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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 all children who shall be enrolled as students in the home education program. The notice shall be filed
in the district school superintendent's office within 30 days of the establishment of the home education program. A written
notice of termination of the home education program shall be filed in the district school superintendent's office within 30
days after said termination.
(b) The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records
and materials. The portfolio shall consist of the following:
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.
The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent
for 2 years and shall be made available for inspection 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.
(c) The
parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the student's demonstration of educational
progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability. The parent shall select the method of evaluation and shall file
a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent's office in the county in which the student resides.
The annual educational evaluation shall consist of one of the following:
1. A
teacher selected by the parent shall evaluate the student's educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion
with the student. Such teacher shall hold a valid regular Florida
certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level;
2. The
student shall take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
3. The student shall 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 school district;
4. The student shall be evaluated by an individual holding
a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of s. 490.003(7) or (8); or
5. The student shall be evaluated with any other valid measurement
tool as mutually agreed upon by the district school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the student's
parent.
(2) The district school superintendent shall review and
accept the results of the annual educational evaluation of the student in a home education program. If the student does not
demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability, the district school superintendent shall
notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved. The parent shall have 1 year from the date of receipt
of the written notification to provide remedial instruction to the student. At the end of the 1-year probationary period,
the student shall be reevaluated as specified in paragraph (1)(c). Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent
upon the student demonstrating educational progress commensurate with her or his ability at the end of the probationary period.
(3) A home education program shall be excluded from meeting
the requirements of a school day.
(4) Home education students may participate in interscholastic
extracurricular student activities in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.15.
(5) Home education students may participate in the Bright
Futures Scholarship Program in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1009.53-1009.539.
(6) Home education students may participate in dual enrollment
programs in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1007.27(4) and 1007.271(10).
(7) Home education students are eligible for admission to
community colleges in accordance with the provisions of s. 1007.263.
(8) Home education students are eligible for admission to
state universities in accordance with the provisions of s. 1007.261.
(9) Home education program students may receive testing
and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03.
History.--s. 106, ch. 2002-387.
Information taken from: www.fldoe.com | 
