HSing in FL

[j.griff]

So, we are moving from CA to FL, and I saw that you either have to report to the local school district and have testing done each year, OR you can join some private church HS thing (which is just a group of hsers) and not have to do testing each year. My aunt is in FL and she insists to my mom that we will HAVE to test every year when we get there. :eek:
So which is it? Is there a way to hs (cheaply) without having to test and report to the district? I'd like to hear this from someone else who is in or has been in FL, since my aunt is there and is insisting we'd have to do it the way she is doing it. TIA
Jenn

[Audrey]

Maybe PM GothicGyrl (Toni). She's in FL and always very helpful with questions.

[Diane]

No, you definitely don't have to test. If you sign up with the school district you CAN have your children tested and that will satisfy your obligation for the year. I have to say, living in an area that has a huge homeschool population, I don't know of a single person who tests. You can go to a certified teacher and have an evaluation. That is what most people do. YOu can find certified teachers who do these through your local library, homeschool groups, etc...The evaluator I use only charges 10.00 per child per evaluation. Usually they range between 10.-35.00. My evaulator is incredible, and she mainly does it as a ministry.

The evaluator simply looks over your child's work, they are concentrating on the beginnning work, middle of the year, and end of the year to see if progress has been made.

So...this was a long email just to tell you that NO you do not have to test. This I'm positive about.

There are also many private schools you can sign up with and you pay a certain amount and you just send in attendance records.

Here is a link to the HSLDA:

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/FL/FL-Resource.asp

Hope that helps a little. Don't be nervous, FL is an easy state to HS in. :)

[LaMere Academy]

We just moved here last March.
You can join an umbrella school, which is just a school in name only. Some of these can be expensive because they keep records for you.
Some are cheap, like the one I joined, it's $20 per child or $30 per family and you just give them a physical report from a dr. and copy of a birth certificate and then at the end of the year, attendance. That's it.
If you need any other info. or want the name of this umbrella school I use, PM me.

I was worried to move here, from CT where we didn't have to report to anyone, but I've found going this route is very easy and we're in compliance with the law and we don't have to test or show our work at all.

[Book Crazy]

I'm in FL and you don't need to test. Where ever you are living, find an evaluator. Meet up with them, and show them your child's portfolio. The portfolio for my son has 3-4 examples from each subject over the past year. If the evaluator is satisfied that your child is on par with children of thier own age, then they (the evaluator) will write a letter to the local school board saying that the child is on level. The evaluator gives you the letter and you mail it in.

Just keep a log of educational type things that you do and examples of the childs work and you will be fine.

If you want to talk about it more, please email me.

Sarah

[Brenda in FL]

Chiming in with the others to say that you are not required to test and to suggest that you check out www.fpea.com. They have good information on the homeschool law here in Florida.

I'm wondering if your aunt is thinking of the FCAT which all public schooled children have to take. Homeschoolers are not required to take this test. In fact when homeschoolers choose testing over evaluation, I think the trend is the ITBS. (Iowa test?)

Hope your move goes smoothly!!

[Amy in Orlando]

Unless you have kids who want to play sports at the local high school, I recommend going the umbrella rate. We paid for evaluations for our first couple of years, but it was an expensive and stupid exercise. The teachers we hired had no clue about world history and not a one had ever studied Latin. But, we've never opted to subject our kids to the FCAT - one of the most poorly written tests on the planet.