Home education is in lieu of attending a public, charter, or private school.  Upon deciding to establish and maintain a home education program for your child, you will be governed by Florida statutes regarding compulsory school-age attendance laws as they relate to home education.  A student must be of school age to be enrolled in Home Education, as specified in section 1003.21, Florida Statutes.  Home Education is 100% parent-driven.  By enrolling in home education, the parent is assuming all educational responsibilities regardless of the mechanism used to educate their child.  This includes all virtual (FLVS), correspondence, online curriculum, or support groups.  The Home Education Office does not have access to any of the above third-party educational records.  Students with a prior pattern of public school non-attendance will be subject to monthly portfolio reviews.  This program does not provide books, curriculum, or materials.  Students enrolled in the Home Education Program do not receive a high school diploma or certificate of completion.

Parent Responsibilities in Establishing a Home Schooling Program

School attendance is the responsibility of the parents. Since there is a strong relationship between attendance and academic performance, it is important that parents take an active role in working with the school to ensure their child’s attendance on a daily basis. Schools provide information regarding attendance policies and procedures at the beginning of the school year. Parents must contact the school each time a student is absent. However, methods of notification vary among schools. Absences are classified as excused and unexcused. Local school board policy lists the reasons for which an absence may be excused. Florida Statute 1003.24

Florida Law Regarding Home Education

Statutes 1002.41

• Home education students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities in accordance with the provisions of 1006.15.
• Home education students may participate in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in accordance with the provisions of 1009.53.
• Home education students may participate in dual enrollment programs in accordance with the provisions of 1007.27 and 1007.271.
• Home education students are eligible for admission to community colleges in accordance with the provisions of 1007.263.
• Home education program students may receive testing and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers, in accordance with the provisions of 1006.03.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Students registering as Home School, Private School, Charter School, or earning a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma and not enrolled in a Monroe County School District Public High School or the MCSD Performance Based Exit Option Program at a public MCSD High School may NOT participate in any graduation ceremonies or other senior activities at those zoned high schools. Also, there is no diploma issued by the public school system in Florida for the completion of a home education program. A signed affidavit of completion (notarized letter) submitted by the student’s parent attesting that the student has completed a home education program, pursuant to the requirements of s.1002.41, F.S. is the legal document of completion. As stated in s.1007 263(2)(a), F.S. it is equivalent to a high school diploma and is regularly accepted by state colleges and universities as proof of high school completion. This statement can be included on a student’s academic transcript or parent-issued diploma. While not required, some students elect to culminate their home education program by taking the General Educational Development (GED) test. A student is issued a diploma from the Department of Education upon passage of the GED. The toll-free number for information pertaining to the GED is 1-800-237-5113.