A "homeschool" student is
considered a homeschooler after the parents inform the district school
superintendent of their intent to homeschool. The
letter of intent should include the child’s name, address, and birth date, and be signed by the parent. Students have to provide the district
superintendent's office with an annual educational evaluation that shows educational
progress. They can be evaluated by a
certified teacher, take a nationally normed achievement test, sign up for the school district test at a
local school, or be
evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid and active license.
My children took the Iowa test once a year. The results of the Iowa standardized test, computerized score reports, and annual evaluation letter were sent to my house by the certified teacher. It was my responsibility to send this letter to the school district.
In Florida, parents are not required to send test results to any government agency or school; instead, they can send an evaluation prepared by a certified teacher showing educational progress. If test scores are sent to the district school superintendent and they do not demonstrate educational progress, the superintendent will notify the parents, in writing, that progress has not been achieved and will offer the parent one year to provide remedial instruction. After a year, the student will have to be reevaluated and continuation of home school education will be contingent on educational progress.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, although rules and regulations vary from state to state. HSDA, advocates for homeschooling, offer an interactive map on their site with detailed information on homeschool laws for all 50 states. Here is the link: HSLDA
Map from the HSLDA website (with permission)
Go to the HSLDA link HSLDA Interactive map for details on each state law.
Our family had homeschooled in 4 different states: PA, NV, CA, FL. My favorite by far was CA which offers homeschool charter options called independent study charters. They pulled $ from the local public school and we were given an educational fund of $1800 per student. We did state testing and checked in once a month with a homeschool friendly evaluator. Every state should offer this option. We had a choice to receive the funds & be evaluated or not receive fund and do nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteOur least favorite state was PA. This is why we choose to use an umbrella school in the state of FL. In PA we were forced to jump through hoops to stay legal. In CA, we received something for going beyond. State testing & evaluating leads to more Red states...with nothing in return for the homeschoolers. Orange states are almost there- one law away from school districts wanting the records. Since the homeschoolers have them already as it is required, SD doesn't see them wanting records as a problem.
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
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