How Much is an Annual Educational Homeschool Evaluation in Florida?

Many parents want to know how much is an Annual Educational Homeschool Evaluation in Florida. I think that $12 – $15 per hour is a fair rate for an annual educational evaluation, the portfolio review option. The amount of time that this option for the annual educational evaluation usually requires, is around 1 to 2 hours, from start to finish. (Throughout this post, when referring to the annual evaluation, I will only be speaking of the portfolio review option, not the standardized testing options of the annual educational evaluation required by FL homeschooling laws)

All evaluators, by Florida law, and FL State Dept. of Education instructions, are simply required to review enough samples of the student’s work, from the past 12 months (annual, NOT grade level!) to determine if the student is progressing, or not. Therefore, my opinion is that $20 – $30 is a fair price for an annual evaluation, especially when sending the portfolio samples to the evaluator via internet, email, U.S. Postal Service, etc.

If the annual evaluation is done in person, then at least a travel fee is fair and necessary. Also, the time spent talking/consulting during a portfolio review in person is always a little longer, at least for me it is. Maybe I am trying to say too much, though my goal is to be the most helpful I can be, and to serve the homeschooling family as well as I can with what they want and need, with which ever method I am doing, in-person, or via email/U.S. Post. My opinion is that $30 – $40 for an annual evaluation, portfolio review, in person, is a fair price to to pay, and to be paid.

As you may already know, the above stated fees are a little less ( many time a lot less) than most evaluators’ fees for annual educational evaluations in Florida. Most evaluators are charging $39 – $60!? Many parents have told me that the evaluators that they have spoken with, and/or used in the past, have quoted, and charged the parents, $100 or more, for an annual educational evaluation for a homeschooling student. This is far beyond good, or right, though this is true!

I was raised, growing up in a family, with parents that are excellent teachers. And, before I began teaching in 1994, in a formal school, classroom setting, with 25 – 30 students in a class, I had a several of other occupations, even another “career.” I am sure this all has a lot to do with one of my main theories, and practices, in business, which is; small profit margins, and large volumes of the service. Yes, this means working harder, longer and more to have an excellent service, and to make more profit. I find this to be fair and good.

I, Charles Curtis Tucker, do Annual Educational Evaluations & Standardized Testing for homeschool students, quickly and economically ($28). I am a Florida State Dept. of Education certified teacher (exp. date: 6/30/2021) & I am a homeschooling parent (since 1999). For True & simple answers (FREE consultation) about homeschooling in Florida, email me, or call me anytime: CCTucker7@Gmail.com OR cell # 786-525-3545

First of all, with this theory in practice, the clientele are very happy about the price, and the quality, of the service. Second, this makes it very likely that the the service provider WILL conduct more service, thus receiving more overall revenue. This is what I call a truly “win, win situation,” for everyone.

Above most activities in my life, I strive to do to others what I want to be done to me, as well as, my first thinking what I can do for others, not first thinking about what others can do for me, or what I am going to get out of it for me.

When I started getting bothered by what I heard “evaluators” charging parents, and the homeschool “requirements” that evaluators were telling parents who were homeschooling, or thinking about homeschooling, much of which were not completely true (or even partially true), we decided to provide annual evaluation and testing services, and consulting (free) about home education requirements and practices.

A couple of stories pushed us into doing home education evaluations & testing services, as well as consulting on home education. One of the first stories that bothered us was the account a mother told me of an evaluator she had been using the past couple of years, making her bring everything that she had for the child’s work (portfolio), work books, text books, etc. from the past 12 months, to the evaluator’s house. The evaluator charged the mother $70 for an evaluation. Then the evaluator called the mother 3 or 4 days later, and told the mother to come to her house and pick up all the child’s work (portfolio), work books, text books, etc., to receive the child’s “evaluation,” letter, which included a 3 page report. What the mother said the evaluator provided was just like a simple summary of the work the child had done, and she attached the summary to the annual evaluation form letter.

The form letter is all that is required by FL educational law to be sent to the county homeschool office. A letter stating the student’s name, date of birth, mailing address, the evaluator’s Florida Dept. of Education certificate number and expiration date, with a signed (by evaluator/teacher) statement of whether the child is progressing, or not. Period, done.

The requirements for a public school student, a private school student, and a homeschool student are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

Below I have copied and pasted the portion of the FL statute that describes the requirements for home education in FL. I have bolded some key points. At the very bottom of this quote is a link to all the FL statutes on home education. An important fact to keep in mind is that if it is not included in the requirements in this statute, it is NOT required to be done, by FL law:

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 birth dates 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.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/statutes/2012/1002.41

About Curtis

C. Curtis Tucker is a FL Certified Teacher, International Educator, Homeschool Evaluator, and Approved Test Administrator. He does a lot Parent Conferences as an experienced, excellent Education Advisor.

Curtis Tucker does a lot of Student Annual Educational Evaluations & Grade Proof of Promotion documents for the states of Florida & Virginia (FL Dept. of Education Certificate #749854 - Expiration Date: 6/30/27).

I am a home schooling parent since 1999 (SHE'S ARRIVED!) and a FL Certified Teacher since 1996. I am also a Standardized Test Administrator and Educational Advisor.
I spent 12 years full time teaching in the classrooms of International Schools in South America & Europe, as well as, the public and private schools in the U.S.A. I spent 10 years conducting Educational Workshops, Team Building and part time teaching. I have been homeschooling our children with my wife, Lupita, since 1999.

I am extremely inspired everyday to promote homeschooling and excellent education in every way possible. My Heart's desire and Goals include helping parents to be in control of YOUR children's environment and their learning, to DO what YOU Know is The Best for YOUR family.

With The Utmost Honor & Complete Joy,

C. Curtis Tucker