sandalwood Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 There is a chance we will have to move to FL in order for my husband to keep his job (so in a way, that is true blessing -- his company is closing lots of locations). Anyhow, I read on the HSLDA site about FL but I know no one who homeschools in FL. Which option do "most" (if there is such a thing) FL homeschoolers take? I am fine with yearly testing but sending the info to the school district makes me kind of nervous (think that was option 1). Just because I am not used to that, I suppose. So far, I have lived in 2 easy states to homeschool. Can anyone share any advice about homeschooling in FL? What option do you choose? Thanks in advance :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I use an Umbrella school. I pay $25 a year and send in 180 days of attendance. I'm just not excited about having to deal with the county and keeping a portfolio. I'm going to have to probably start doing that anyway though.... so i may just switch to the county. It depends on how it works out in the custody with the STBXH. I consider FL one of the easy states to deal with! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandalwood Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 I use an Umbrella school. I pay $25 a year and send in 180 days of attendance. I'm just not excited about having to deal with the county and keeping a portfolio. I'm going to have to probably start doing that anyway though.... so i may just switch to the county. It depends on how it works out in the custody with the STBXH. I consider FL one of the easy states to deal with! LOL!! Wow, Tracy thanks for the fast reply! I read a little about umbrella schools last night. Thanks for the reply so fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I"m bored and avoiding cleaning :D Here is who i use btw. I"ve also used AEI that was slightly cheaper, but i know the lady that runs this one and this way we can do the any field trips and such. But the umbrella schools will run from totally hands off except attendance, to wayyyyy into your schooling. But hey, you can pick what you need. The nice thing is is that HS is way normal around here, and being in a tourist area - you never get asked why your kids are out and about! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandalwood Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Thanks again! I'm pulling this up now and checking it out. I'm fine with hands off... the assn. I use now in SC is very hands off and all I turn in is attendance and then just keep a portfolio for my records (we have to keep one, so I am used to that) and grades (have to keep a record of a report card here, too) for myself. I am used to hands-off places. THANKS!!! for the link!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtb1999 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 We will be using an umbrella school. My oldest just turned 6, so I am going to register him with an umbrella school this summer. We're going with Florida Unschoolers. They are free, and you only have to turn in attendance. And you don't have to be an unschooler, either. http://www.freewebs.com/floridaunschoolers/index.htm :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I asked around among homeschoolers I knew and got the name of a certified teacher who does homeschool evaluations. Each year, I put together a portfolio with samples of the kids' work in each subject. This can be a simple or as fancy as you wish. Over the years, ours have morphed into bigger productions, with photos and so on. Anyway, we make an appointment, and the teacher (who homeschooled a couple of her own kids) goes over the portfolio and talks to the student. After about 15 minutes, I give her a check for $25 per kid, and she signs the form I send to the county saying that the child is progressing at an appropriate rate. Then, we're done until next year. It's really easy, and my kids have always enjoyed those few minutes of showing off their work to someone outside the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 We used private school option for a time but at other times, we did the county registration since it was easier to get dual enrollment with that. I didn't send in test scores. We did the testing and then sent it to an evaluator with a teaching certificate. That option only cost 10 more than testing alone and the school system never saw the tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I use an Umbrella school. I pay $25 a year and send in 180 days of attendance. I'm just not excited about having to deal with the county and keeping a portfolio. This is exactly what I do, however this coming fall I'm going to register my older two with the school district so they can play on the tennis team. It will be a new experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I register with the county. That allows my children to be eligible for sports, clubs, and free college classes (a big plus in Florida.) I submit actual test scores to the county every year, but I believe you do not have to give the actual scores. You only have to submit a form that states the child has been tested and you have the scores at home. Honestly, I have never actually put together any sort of portfolio. You have to be given a couple of weeks notice before presenting a portfolio (not counting those that use the portfolio for yearly evaluation) and I'm sure I could pull something together.:D For those that use the portfolio for evaluation, there are homeschool friendly evaluators in each county, just ask at a local homeschool group for a list of names and phone numbers. Where in Florida would you be moving? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandalwood Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 . Where in Florida would you be moving? Somewhere in the Destin area. We're at least familiar with it, because I used to live about 3 hours from FL and we would vacation there sometimes. And a BIG THANK YOU to all that have posted. I logged back on and see all the different replies with all the different responses. THANK YOU! My fear was the school district seeing the test scores and maybe thinking it was not "good enough" but it looks like that is not the case. I guess I put the worst fears in my own head. Thank you all so much! You've given me all a lot to think about! At least it seems much easier than I anticipated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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