Homeschool Annual Evaluation
Florida homeschoolers must file an evaluation annually. It is due on the anniversary of the date of your Notice of Intent. So if you filed your Notice of Intent on October 10, your evaluation is due by the following October 10 (and on each anniversary thereafter). Some districts may send you a letter or form indicating that you must submit your evaluation by a prescribed date, but this is not supported by statute.
What to File
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 according to Statute 1002.41(1)(c), 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. You do not need to use a teacher who is currently employed by your county’s school district. (And, in fact, you’ll probably have a happier experience if you select a teacher who is also a homeschooling parent.)
2)The student shall take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher; Many support groups offer group testing. Alternately, your evaluator may be able to administer the test to your child.
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; This is the FCAT and it is not recommended that home education students participate in this testing, particularly if you haven’t spent several months teaching to the test, as public schools have done. If you choose to participate, your test scores will be sent directly to the Superintendent and he/she will then forward them to you. So you’ll be the last to see the results.
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);This refers to a psychological evaluation and worth pursuing if you have a special needs child or one who learns differently. Call us for more information on our psycho-educational assessments (813)468-6528
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.
For more information visit Florida Homeschooling
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