In Florida, there are no specific hourly requirements for homeschooling.
Families who choose to homeschool their children in Florida are not mandated to log a certain number of hours per day or days per year for instruction. This provides substantial flexibility, allowing parents to design a learning schedule that best suits their child's individual needs and their family's lifestyle.
Key points regarding homeschooling time and attendance in Florida include:
- No Mandatory Hours or Days: The state does not impose a minimum number of instructional hours or days that must be met annually for homeschooling.
- No Attendance Records: Parents are generally not required to maintain or submit attendance records. The focus is on educational progress rather than time logged.
- Focus on Educational Progress: Instead of hourly mandates, the emphasis is often on ensuring the child makes academic progress, which is typically demonstrated through an annual evaluation, such as a portfolio review or standardized test.
- Flexibility with Certified Tutors: Even if you choose to homeschool with the help of a certified tutor, the state's stance on hourly requirements remains consistent. Parents are not obligated to track or report specific instructional hours to the state, as such requirements simply do not exist for homeschooling in Florida.
This approach offers homeschooling families the freedom to:
- Craft a curriculum and schedule that aligns with their child's learning pace and interests.
- Incorporate diverse educational experiences, including field trips, community activities, and real-world learning, without the constraint of a traditional school timetable.
- Adapt the learning environment to accommodate unique family circumstances or a child's specific learning challenges or strengths.
By removing rigid time and attendance mandates, Florida's homeschooling regulations aim to support a wide range of educational philosophies and personalized learning journeys.
