Florida Homeschool Evaluation: 5 Options

Florida gives homeschool families five ways to complete the required annual evaluation: a certified teacher's portfolio review, a nationally normed test, a state assessment, a licensed psychologist's evaluation, or another valid tool you agree on with your superintendent. You pick the method, and you file a copy of the results with your district each year.

These options are set out in s. 1002.41(1)(f), Florida Statutes. Here is what each one involves and how to choose.

What does the annual evaluation have to show?

The evaluation must document that your child is making educational progress "at a level commensurate with her or his ability." That means progress measured against your own child's ability, not against a fixed grade-level score.

The parent selects the method and files a copy of the evaluation with the superintendent's office in the county where the student lives. The superintendent must accept the results, under s. 1002.41(2).

When is the annual evaluation due?

The statute says the evaluation must be filed "annually" but does not name a date. In practice, districts tie it to the anniversary of your program's registration, which starts with your notice of intent.

Miami-Dade gives this example: if a notice of intent was filed on October 10, the evaluation is due on or before the following October 10, and on each anniversary after that. Palm Beach and St. Johns also ask for it by the anniversary date. Check your own district's page for how it handles timing.

You also file an evaluation with your notice of termination when you end your home education program, within 30 days of ending it (s. 1002.41(1)(c)).

What are the 5 evaluation options?

1. Portfolio review by a Florida certified teacher

A teacher you choose reviews your child's portfolio and talks with your child, then writes up their assessment of progress. The teacher must hold a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level.

Pros: It looks at the whole year of work, not one test day, and suits children who test poorly or use non-traditional materials. Cons: You need a well-kept portfolio, and you need to find an evaluator whose approach fits your family.

2. Nationally normed achievement test

Your child takes any nationally normed student achievement test, administered by a certified teacher. "Nationally normed" means scores are compared against a national sample of students.

Pros: Results are numeric and familiar, and a test can be useful practice for later standardized exams. Cons: A single sitting can understate what a child knows, and the statute requires a certified teacher to administer it, so a parent cannot simply give the test at home unless they hold that certification.

3. State student assessment

Your child takes a state student assessment test used by the school district, given by a certified teacher at a location and under testing conditions approved by the district.

Separately, s. 1002.41(12) requires districts to make statewide, standardized assessments, national assessments and industry certifications they offer available to home education students, and to tell families the dates, times, locations and sign-up deadlines.

Pros: Results line up with what public school students take. Cons: You work on the district's schedule and location, and the test reflects state standards, which may not match your curriculum.

4. Evaluation by a licensed psychologist

Your child is evaluated by someone holding a valid, active license under s. 490.003(7) or (8), F.S. Those subsections define a licensed psychologist and a licensed school psychologist.

Pros: It can work well for children with learning differences or disabilities, since the evaluator can account for the child's ability. Cons: Availability and cost vary, and it may be more in-depth than you need for a routine year.

5. Another valid tool agreed with the superintendent

Your child is evaluated with any other valid measurement tool that you and the district superintendent mutually agree on.

Pros: Flexibility for situations the other four don't fit. Cons: It requires the superintendent's agreement, so get the agreement in writing before you rely on it.

How do the options compare?

Option	Who conducts it	Based on
Teacher portfolio review	Teacher with valid regular Florida certificate	Portfolio plus discussion with child
Nationally normed test	Administered by a certified teacher	Test scores
State assessment	Certified teacher, district-approved site and conditions	State test scores
Psychologist evaluation	Licensed psychologist or school psychologist	Professional evaluation
Other agreed tool	As agreed with superintendent	Agreed measurement tool

The statute leaves the choice of method to the parent, and nothing in it locks you into the same method every year. When you are ready to choose, you can browse Florida homeschool providers, including evaluators and testing services.

What happens if progress isn't commensurate with ability?

Section 1002.41(2) sets out a probation process:

The superintendent notifies you in writing that your child has not shown educational progress at a level commensurate with their ability.
You have 1 year from the date you receive that notice to provide remedial instruction.
At the end of the 1-year probationary period, your child is reevaluated using one of the five methods.
Continuing in a home education program depends on your child showing progress commensurate with their ability at the end of probation.

What if you don't file an evaluation?

The statute itself does not spell out a penalty for a missing evaluation. Districts do: Miami-Dade, for example, says failing to provide an annual evaluation means non-compliance and will result in termination of the home education program. Check your district's policy.

How can you keep track of evaluations?

Put your enrollment anniversary on the calendar and keep a copy of every evaluation you file with your portfolio. If you use Homeschool Fair's School Tracker, you can log each evaluation and test score, get reminders, and download a portfolio PDF to hand to a certified teacher for a portfolio review. School Plus is free for 30 days, no card needed.

FAQ

Can a parent give the standardized test for a Florida homeschool evaluation?

Only if the parent is a certified teacher. Section 1002.41(1)(f) requires both the nationally normed test and the state assessment to be administered by a certified teacher.

Does the Florida homeschool evaluator need a current teaching certificate?

For the portfolio review option, yes. The teacher must hold a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level.

Is there a minimum test score for Florida homeschoolers?

The statute sets no score. The standard is educational progress at a level commensurate with the child's ability.

Did Florida change the homeschool evaluation rules in 2025 or 2026?

No. The history note for s. 1002.41 shows it was last amended in 2018 (ch. 2018-134).

Sources

Last checked: June 2026

Florida Homeschool Annual Evaluation: Your 5 Options Explained