Guide to Homeschooling in Florida
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Guide to 2013-14 Edition Homeschooling in Florida All You Need to Know to Learn Without Boundaries Supporting Your Homeschool Journey FPEA Florida Homeschool Convention year and for inspiration for the year ahead. and equips leaders to meet the needs The 17,000-plus attendees make the four- of homeschool families throughout the day event over Memorial Day weekend year. Attendees receive private early en- one of the largest and best homeschool trance into the Convention exhibit hall. conventions in the country. With over 130 workshops and hundreds of exhibitor Exhibit Hall booths, the Convention is more than able Imagine a super-sized mall where all the to equip you for your homeschool jour- stores are homeschool-related. That’s the ney. And best of all, everything takes place Convention exhibit hall — your place he FPEA supports your home- in the comfort of the luxurious Gaylord to shop till you drop, homeschool-style. school journey through purpose- Palms Resort. Visit www.fpea.com and If you are new to homeschooling or if T ful information, practical direc- click on Convention & Events for the you’re a first-time Convention attendee, tion, personal engagement and positive latest Convention information. be sure to visit the Mentoring Moms encouragement. We work to ensure that booth in the exhibit hall, where expe- all families have the freedom to learn Leaders Forum rienced homeschool moms can answer without boundaries, doing so through a Local homeschool leaders (both current your questions and help you make the statewide convention, regional and local and potential) draw renewed pre-Con- most of your experience. conferences, and other events. vention vision through the annual FPEA The annual Convention is a place for Leaders Forum. This full day of speak- celebration of the end of your homeschool ers and activities inspires, encourages www.fpea.com/guide FPEA Florida Homeschool Convention Speakers Graduation Weekend Legislative Events Along with keynote messages, choose Finally, no homeschool journey would The FPEA plans statewide and regional from 130 lectures and workshops that be complete without graduating seniors. events to help let the united voice of best meet your needs. Speakers address a At the FPEA Statewide Graduation homeschoolers be heard. Attendees meet wide range of topics designed to meet a Ceremony, held the morning after the with representatives and celebrate the variety of homeschool needs. official end of the Convention, nearly legal freedom to educate their children 300 home-educated high school seniors at home. The events include distinct fea- Programs and Fun for Children walk the aisle in the celebration of the tures designed to meet the diverse needs If you plan to bring your children to completion of their homeschool pro- of Florida homeschoolers. Please visit the Convention, there’s plenty going gram. The ceremony is just one part of www.fpea.com and click on Convention on just for them. Two age-appropriate, a memorable weekend of events and & Events for the latest information on faith-based programs will be held all activities planned just for the seniors, legislative events for 2013 and beyond. day Friday and Saturday. For those not their parents and their families. participating in either the children’s program or the teen track, Gaylord Can’t Wait for 2014 — Can You? Palms Resort offers an irresistible mix Plans for the 2014 Convention are already of activities — family-friendly movies underway. Beginning in December 2013, on the big screen in the hotel atrium are details for 2014 will be available — visit only the beginning! www.fpea.com and click on Convention & Events so you don’t miss a thing! Guide to Homeschooling / 2013-2014 PROVIDING THE NEXT GENERATION WITH TOOLS TO DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, PUT THEIR SCRIPTURE INTO ACTION, AND BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD Apologia Academy offers college-preparatory programs in basic and advanced sciences, apologetics, Bible, and Christian worldview through a dynamic virtual classroom experience that combines Apologia’s acclaimed curriculum and experienced teachers with the best technology. 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Inspirational Articles 36 Think Like a Teacher 38 How to Survive Homeschooling Without Developing That Unsightly Twitching 40 Learning Styles 43 Wading Through the Curriculum Jungle 44 Educational Methods Overview 46 Traditional Curriculum Guide to Homeschooling / 2013-2014 6 48 Classical Christian Education: A New Look at an Old Model 50 Unit Studies 52 Charlotte Mason Method 55 Learning Lifestyle 57 The Principle Approach 59 Unschooling 62 Delayed Academics Special Interests 64 Single Parents 66 Homeschooling the Special-Needs Child 68 Asperger’s Syndrome 70 Dyslexia High School 73 Homeschooling the High-Schooler 81 Graduations and Celebrations 83 Bright Futures Scholarship Requirements www.fpea.com/guide 7 88 Other Ways to Pay for College 89 Free College at Your Fingertips 96 Taking the Test 98 Joining the Military Other Issues 100 Join Us at the Convention! 104 Strategic Partnerships 106 Curriculum and Materials Vendors and Developers 116 Field Trip Information 131 Downloadable Forms 132 Kids Love Florida History – Really! 134 FPEA Member Discounts Guide to Homeschooling / 2013-2014 8 Legal Issues How to Legally Homeschool in Florida ome education is one of five ways to tendance records and enrollment registers. Hsatisfy Florida’s compulsory-atten- Students enrolled in these schools, even if The information outlined in this manual dance law. Statute 1003.01 (13) gives taught by their parents at home, are private parents the choice of achieving regular school students. More infor mation about is current as of publication. Though it is school at tendance through one of these nontraditional private schools, designed to provisions: assist parents in teach ing their children at believed to be legally accurate, it is for home, begins on page 25. • Public school informational purposes and not meant as • Parochial, religious or denominational Private Tutoring Program school Florida Statute 1002.43 legal advice. To clarify the status of any le- • Nontraditional private school Parents may choose to hire a private tutor • Home-education program to educate their children. The law re quires gal informa tion, contact your FPEA District • Private tutoring program a tutor to hold a Florida certificate in the grades and subjects in which instruction is Director (see page 23) or local homeschool Four of these options are in the pri- given. These students, even though taught vate sector — ultimately parents choose at home, are private school students. More group leader. the setting, curriculum, opportunities information may be found on page 28. and educational experiences. In all cas- es, a child turning 6 before February 1 How Do I Comply With the of the school year is subject to compul- Home Education Law? sory at tendance and must attend school By definition, a home-education program regularly the entire year. is “sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent Home-Education Program in order to satisfy the requirements of Florida Statute 1002.41 Statute 1003.21 and 1002.41.” Under this statute, parents who choose The parent is not required to be a to teach and direct the education of their certified teacher or have any educational own children at home must notify their quali fications. As the parent, you are the district school superintendent and meet primary instructor for, and supervisor of, all requirements of this law. The child must your child’s education. Supplementary show educational progress each year. instruction through other activities is Students registered with the school district per missible and encouraged, including are, by law, home education students. The extracurricular athletic or music activi- parent must keep a portfolio rather than ties, Florida Virtual School, part-time en- records of instructional hours or days of rollment at a public or private school, or attendance each year. More information dual enrollment in a college or university. begins on page 10. People often ask if it is legal to teach other people’s children. If someone else Non-Public Schools becomes a child’s primary instructor and Florida Statute 1003.23 (2) directs the child’s education whether in Parents may choose to register their the home or not, and if the instruction children in a private school (parochial, reli- takes place daily and consistently, then gious, denominational or nontraditional). the instructor must hold a valid Florida The school is responsible for keeping at- teaching certificate in the subjects and www.fpea.com/guide 9 Guide to Homeschooling / 2013-2014 10 grades being taught. Legally, this type of The notice must be filed in your district teaching falls under private tutoring (see school superintendent’s office within 30 page 28). However, this does not pre- days of beginning your home-education clude someone with primary responsibil- program.