How does a parent register their student for the Florida Home Education Program in Miami-Dade County Public Schools?
The completed and signed enrollment form (FM-4705) may be submitted via email to apavon@dadeschools.net, U.S. mail or brought to the following address: Florida Home Education Program, Attendance Services, 489 East Drive, Miami Springs, Florida 33166. Upon receipt of the registration form, the parent will receive official documentation from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Home Education Office that the Home Education Program is registered with the State.
What are the basic requirements?
The parent must direct the student, sequentially, with progressive instruction in order to satisfy the requirements of Florida Statutes. Current law does not prescribe a curriculum or course of study for home education programs. The parent is responsible for the curriculum, materials and textbooks, as well as maintaining a portfolio of the student’s work. Chapter 1002.41, (1) (c), Florida Statutes, mandates that the parent provide an annual educational evaluation which documents the student's educational progress at a level commensurate with their ability. It is the sole responsibility of the parent to secure the required annual evaluation of the student. Failure to submit the Florida Home Education annual evaluation may result in retention of the student. Additionally, a representative of Miami-Dade County Public Schools may contact you to review your student’s educational portfolio.
What are the responsibilities of parents who establish a home education program?
As required by Section 1002.41, F.S., to establish a home education program and maintain compliance with the statute, a parent must:
- Send a written notice of intent to the District to operation a Florida Home Education Program.
- Complete the registration form.
- Maintain a portfolio of records, consisting of a log of educational activities, writings, worksheets, and creative materials used or developed by the student.
- Make the portfolio available for inspection by the superintendent, or designee, upon a 15-day notice. (The legislation does not require the superintendent to inspect all portfolios.)
- Provide an annual educational evaluation for the student's educational progress to the school district superintendent or designee.
- Preserve each student’s portfolio for two years.
- Submit a termination form upon removal from the home education program or change of residence to another District.
What is a portfolio?
Section 1002.41, F.S., defines a portfolio as "A log of educational activities which is made and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student." (As you teach, you should date and record the activities that occur and materials that are used.)
The portfolio shall include:
- A log of educational activities performed daily with instruction.
- A listing of all the reading materials by title.
- Samples of workbooks and worksheets that have been used.
- Samples of writings and other creative materials used or developed by the student.
The law further requires the parent to preserve the portfolio for two years and to make available for inspection by the superintendent, or the superintendent's agent, upon a 15-day written notice. Nothing in the law requires the superintendent to inspect the portfolio.
What curriculum is used and where are textbooks purchased?
The parent may use any curriculum preferred. A copy of the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Competency Based Curriculum (the curriculum, by grade level, taught in Miami-Dade County Public Schools) is available at http://www.dadeschools.net/students/cbc/.
The costs for textbooks are the responsibility of the parent. Instructional materials used in Miami-Dade County Public Schools may be purchased through the Florida School Book Depository. For additional textbook information, you may call Instructional Materials and Textbooks at (305) 995-2573.
How is the annual educational evaluation requirement fulfilled?
A parent may select one of the following methods to fulfill the annual educational evaluation requirement:
- A teacher selected by the parent or guardian shall evaluate the pupil’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the pupil utilizing the evaluation form (FM-7296) . Such teacher shall hold a valid professional Educator’s Florida Certificate in an academic subject at the elementary or secondary level;
- The pupil shall take any nationally norm student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
- The pupil shall take a State student assessment test used by the District and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the District;
- The pupil shall be evaluated utilizing the evaluation form (FM-7296) by an individual holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of F.S. 490.003(7) or (8); or
- The pupil shall be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the District in which the pupil resides and the pupil’s parent.
What happens if the requirements are not satisfied?
Section 1002.41 (2)(c), F.S., requires the parent to provide an annual evaluation for each student in the home education program and to file a copy of the evaluation annually with the District. Failure to comply with this requirement places the Home Education Program in non-compliance and the Superintendent may, after notice to the parent, terminate the Home Education Program and require the student to enroll in the public school of residence to meet the compulsory attendance law.
Are Home Education students required to be immunized if they are participating in activities/testing in a Miami-Dade County Public School?
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are in the Florida Home Education Program who participate in any Miami-Dade County Public School campus-based activities/testing are required to have age-appropriate vaccines with the proper documentation in accordance with S. 1003.22(4), Florida Statutes.
For immunization information, please refer to Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Health and Immunization Requirements.
The home school for my student school offers some electives that my home education student would like to enroll in. Can my student take courses on the school campuses?
Yes, home education students may attend their home zoned school part-time or enroll in Miami-Dade Virtual School classes. The procedures for both are addressed in a question below.
What is part-time enrollment?
Home education students may attend their zoned school of attendance to take classes to supplement the parent’s home education program. The number and type of classes available are different at the elementary, middle and senior high school level. Part-time enrollment should occur at the beginning of a semester.
May home education students take virtual classes?
Yes, there are two options for virtual classes. Miami-Dade Virtual School (M-DVS) provides online options for students to earn high school credits. Registration and enrollment occur at specified times of the year. Please check the school’s website for information.
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a public on-line school providing tuition-free middle and high school courses to Florida students. To enroll a home education student in courses at FLVS, parents must provide FLVS with verification from their district that the student is registered in a home education program. Students can register at any time during the year.
May home education students participate in "inter-scholastic extracurricular activities" offered at public schools?
Yes. Section 1006.15 F.S., requires that home education students be given the same opportunity to participate in "inter-scholastic extracurricular activities" as public school students. The law prohibits any requirements that would make participation less accessible for home education students. The law also allows for home education students to develop an agreement to participate in "inter-scholastic extracurricular activities" at a non-public school.
How is the term "inter-scholastic extracurricular activity" defined by the law?
An "inter-scholastic" activity is one that is conducted between or among different schools. An "extracurricular activity" is defined as "any school-authorized or education-related activity occurring during or outside the regular instructional day," Section 1006.15 F.S.
For example, districts may not exclude home education students from inter-scholastic musical ensembles by stating that the performance groups are part of curricular instruction and outside of the realm of extracurricular activities. The 1997 amendment clarifies that a district may not define "extracurricular" in such narrow way. District policies that apply a more narrow interpretation of "extracurricular," and exclude students on this basis, are contrary to the law and legislative intent.
What grade levels are allowed to participate in inter-scholastic extracurricular activities?
Section 1006.15 F.S., primarily addresses students in grades 9-12 but does not prohibit students in lower grades from participation. The by-laws of the governing organization regulate which students, and under what circumstances those students may participate in the inter-scholastic extracurricular activity.
For example, Section 1006.20, F.S., designated the Florida High School Activities Association as the governing organization for athletics. For the purpose of athletics, the Association defines "high school" as grades 6-12. If athletics are offered in a grade 6-8 school that is governed by this Association, the athletic program must be made available upon request to home education students at that grade level. Section 1006.15 F.S. states that public schools may not belong to any governing organization that discriminates against an eligible home education student.
What if the inter-scholastic extracurricular activity requires a class to be taken in order to participate?
If a class is required in order to take part in the inter-scholastic extracurricular activity, such as band class during the day in order to take part in the school's marching band, the district must afford the home education student the opportunity to enroll for that class, pursuant to Section 1006.15 (5) F.S.
Mail the Florida High School Athletics Association Participation Registration Form EL7 that includes the signed verification of participation in a Florida Home Education Program to the address listed on bottom of the form.
What type of diploma do home education students receive?
School districts, adult high schools, and community colleges are not authorized to award a regular Florida high school diploma to home education students. However, a home education student may take the General Educational Development (GED) test at an education center and be awarded a Florida GED diploma if the student receives a passing score. You may refer to the Internet Resources web page for links to GED testing centers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Florida Department of Education toll free number for information pertaining to the GED is (800) 237-5113.
Do home education students have the same opportunity as public and nonpublic school students to enter a college of their choice?
Yes, depending on the student's qualifications and the admission requirements of the postsecondary institution. In order to understand the specific admission requirements of a postsecondary institution, home educators should directly contact the admissions office of the institution in which they have an interest.
Are home education students eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships?
Yes. Home education students may qualify for a scholarship through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program if they are registered with their districts as home education students during the 11th and 12th grades. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides a Home Education Program Packet, which conveys eligibility criteria specific to home education students, including required college admission test scores, community service documentation, district registration confirmation, and dates for financial aid application deadlines. The link for Home Education Program packet is available on the internet Resources web page.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program was established by the United States Congress to provide scholarships to outstanding 2008-09 high school seniors who show promise of continued academic achievement. This program is offered through the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). As established by the U.S. Department of Education, the maximum annual award amount is $1500 per year. Program funds may be used at eligible institutions across the United States.
What if the parent decides to discontinue the program?
The parent may discontinue the program at any time by notifying the Home Education Office with written notification of termination (FM-7295) to include the name of the school in which the student will be registered. Please be aware that this notification must be submitted within 30 days of the termination of the program. If the Florida Home Education Program is discontinued, compulsory school attendance laws apply. |
