Florida Home School Help, Annual Evaluations and Homeschool Testing

An evaluation is required. A test is NOT required. I am happy to order and administer standardized test for you if you like. Though you must know tests are NOT required (see requirements as state in FL law below). An evaluation is required which we can be do very simply and quickly.

I do Annual Educational Evaluations & Standardized Testing for homeschool students quickly (usually) and economically. I am a Florida State Department of Education certified teacher & I am a homeschooling parent. For True & simple answers about homeschooling in Florida, email me, or call me anytime: CCTucker7@Gmail.com OR text/call my cell (786)525-3545 – C. Curtis Tucker

I really think you will enjoy this news article and 5 minute video about a homeschooling family. You may have seen it:

CLICK>> http://www.today.com/news/meet-family-who-sent-six-kids-college-age-12-1C9316706

I will be happy to do whatever test you like though a test is not necessary for the annual evaluation and most parents do not use a standardized test score for the evaluation sent to the county even when I do a test.

I can administer the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or the Stanford Achievement Test. Those are 2 of the most comprehensive and thorough. The California Achievement test is shorter. To administer the test is from 3 – 8 hours and the 8 hour tests I suggest splitting into 2 days. when I do group tests there is usually a charge per child to administer the test and that includes the portfolio review, which can still be sent to the county as the annual evaluation, and then the parents just keep the test scores for their records without sending the scores to the county.

It is really NOT complicated, though having said that please read the explanation and look at some of the links to sites and blogs below.

I will be happy to do your child’s annual evaluation. It is very simple.

As an evaluator I am only required to determine if the student is progressing. Also to determine progress the student is not required to be finished with any particular text book, project, or even curriculum. All I need to see are samples of the work the student has done this past year. What work/subjects that your child has done is completely up to you.

To do the annual evaluation I need is a minimum of 6 samples from EACH subject:

3 samples from 6 or 8 months ago of each subject, and 3 samples from this past month, or last week, of each of the same subjects.

By this I can see progress. You can choose the samples so that the samples show progress. That is what is required for the homeschooling parent to do, ensure that their child is progressing. And that is what the evaluator is required to see, progress, so choosing samples that show obvious progress is good. (please see the FL state statute below) You can scan or photograph, and attach to an email, or copy and mail US postal service and send them to me. That’s it to get it done. A quick conversation on the phone with the child is just a formality. The are no required questions for me to ask, just converse with the child for a minute. I will also be happy to do the portfolio review in person if you like. Though email or U.S. post or in person.

I can scan, attach and email the evaluations directly to the county homeschool office, if you like, and to you with the same email at the same time. You then only print the evaluations and file it in your records, and the county will confirm receiving and processing of the evaluation with an email reply.
You probably already know of these organizations, though just in case, the following are a couple of good websites to browse and even to join their organizations if you like:

http://www.fpea.com/

http://www.hslda.org/

The following have information, no joining, all free info:

https://homeschool-evaluations.com/

https://homeschool-evaluations.com/blog/

Below I have pasted in the portion of the the statute that states the requirements for home education in FL.I have bolded some key points. At the bottom of this email is a link to all the FL statutes on home education .

If I may help with anything at anytime please let me know. It is my pleasure to be able to help.

Cordially,

C. Curtis Tucker
FL Certified Educator/Evaluator/Test Administrator
(786)525-3545
Florida Dept. of Education Certified

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;
or
2. The student shall take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
or
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;
or
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 policies and guidelines of the Board of Governors.
(9) Home education program students may receive testing and evaluation services at diagnostic a
nd resource centers, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03.

History.–s. 106, ch. 2002-387; s. 82, ch. 2007-217.1002.41 Home education programs.–

Here is a link to the complete FL statutes for home education:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2010/Chapter1002