Annual Evaluation / Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio

Section 1002.41, F.S., defines a portfolio as "A log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student." Including but not limited to:

  1. Daily Log (contemporaneous lesson plans)

    • daily/weekly/monthly schedule
    • include field trips
    • lesson plans/course objectives
  2. Reading Log (list of curriculum used and books read throughout the year)

    • list of books the student read
    • list of curriculum used including textbooks and workbooks
  3. Samplings of Student Work

    • Sampling does not mean including every page of school work completed but still includes enough to give a thorough picture of progression in a given subject throughout the year.
    • You may want to organize the portfolio using tabs to designate each subject covered throughout the year. You may include photos of your child engaged in learning activities, extracurricular activities, homeschool groups, event, etc.

The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent/guardian for two years and shall be made available for inspection by the superintendent, or the superintendent's agent, upon a 15-day written notice. The superintendent, or the superintendent's agent, is not required to inspect all portfolios.

Annual Evaluation

Section 1002.41, F.S., requires the parent/guardian to provide for an annual evaluation of the home education student. Failure to do so places the home education program in non-compliance and permits the superintendent, after notice to the parent, to terminate the program.

The parent/guardian selects the method evaluation from those provided in Florida Statute, then files a copy of the evaluation annually in the superintendent's office. The evaluation must consist of one of the following:

  • A Florida certified teacher chosen by the parent/guardian may evaluate the child's progress based on a review of the portfolio and discussion with the student;

  • The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;

  • The student may take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district;

  • The student may be evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of Section 490.003 (7) or (8), F.S.; or

  • The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the student's parent/guardian.

A student in a home education setting must be evaluated once a year to demonstrate educational progress at a level equivalent to his or her abilities. "Annually" is defined in Florida Statute as one year from the date of the Notice of Intent.

Submitting your Annual Evaluation

When: Annually, based on your original home education registration date. For example:

  • If the enrollment date is January 8th, then...
  • The Annual Evaluation DUE Date is January 8th the following year

How: Annual evaluations may be submitted in a variety of ways:

  • Email to: [email protected]
  • Your Florida-certified evaluator may send it in on your behalf via email

Questions: Contact the Main Office at 239-337-8177