The FCAT is NOT required for homeschool students even if they are registered FLVS, Connections Academy, etc.
It is very important that the Letter of Intent is sent to the county school board (superintendent) homeschool office, right away for homeschooling students. This changes all the requirements. If you sign up for FLVS, Connections Academy, or the county virtual school, of which ever county you are in, and you do not send the Letter of Intent, your child will be signed up as a “home bound” student and they WILL be required to take the FCAT. They will be required to take a full class load of that curriculum (FLVS Connections Academy, County Virtual School, etc.) and your child will be required to follow the Florida Sunshine State Standards.
If you send the Letter of Intent to Home Educate your child to your county school board office (superintendent), your (now registered) homeschooling child can take however many classes you want them to take, of whatever subjects you want with FLVS, Connections, County Virtual School, etc. and your child will NOT be required to follow the Sunshine State State Standards, including NOT having to take the FCAT, period, by law.
I do Annual Educational Evaluations & Standardized Testing for homeschool students quickly and economically ($25). I am a Florida state dept. of education certified teacher (exp. date: 6/30/2016) & I am a homeschooling parent (14yrs). For True & simple answers about homeschooling in Florida, email me, or call me anytime: CCTucker7@Gmail.com OR call my cell # 786-525-3545 – Charles C. Tucker
The following is the requirements for homeschooling students in the state of Florida:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2010/1002.41
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
1community 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 and resource centers, in accordance with the provisions of s.
1006.03.
History.—s. 106, ch. 2002-387; s. 82, ch. 2007-217.
1Note.—Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
The following is a link to the complete Florida Education Statutes:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2010/Chapter1002
A good organization to join, follow , support and be a member of is The Home School Legal Defense Association:
http://www.hslda.org/default.aspx
The following is HSLDA Florida Page on laws:
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=FL
Another excellent organization to be a member of, support, and follow is FPEA – Florida Parent Educators Association:
http://www.fpea.com/
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
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