Florida Homeschool Portfolio Requirements

A Florida homeschool portfolio must contain two things: a log of educational activities written as you go, listing the titles of reading materials, and samples of your child's writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials. You must keep it for 2 years and show it to the district only if asked, with 15 days' written notice.

These rules come from s. 1002.41(1)(d) and (e), Florida Statutes. Below is what the law requires, what it leaves to you, and some practical ways to keep a portfolio organized.

What must a Florida homeschool portfolio contain?

The statute says the portfolio "must consist of" two parts:

A log of educational activities that is "made contemporaneously with the instruction" and that "designates by title any reading materials used."
Samples of "any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student."

"Contemporaneously" means at the same time, or close to it. A log kept as you go, such as daily or weekly, fits that wording better than one reconstructed at the end of the year. Rebuilding a whole year of activities right before an evaluation is what the word rules out.

Beyond those two parts, s. 1002.41(1)(e) says "the parent shall determine the content of the portfolio." The law sets no required subjects, hours or number of days, and s. 1002.41(3) states that a home education program is excluded from meeting the requirements of a school day.

What counts as a reading material?

The statute says "any reading materials used," so it is not limited to novels. Textbooks, read-alouds, library books, reference books and magazine or online articles used for a lesson can all be listed by title in your log.

How long do you have to keep the portfolio?

Two years. Section 1002.41(1)(e) requires the parent to "preserve it for 2 years."

Some district web pages describe longer retention. St. Johns, for example, says portfolios must be kept for at least three years. The statute says 2 years, and s. 1002.41(13) bars districts from requiring documentation beyond the statute unless it is needed for a district program. Keeping records longer is your choice; older portfolios can be handy if you later build a transcript.

Who can inspect the portfolio, and on what notice?

Under s. 1002.41(1)(e), you must make the portfolio available for inspection, if requested, by:

The district school superintendent, or
The superintendent's agent

The request must come with 15 days' written notice. The statute also says nothing in the section requires the superintendent to inspect the portfolio, so a request may never come.

If you choose the certified teacher option for your annual evaluation, the teacher reviews the portfolio as part of that process under s. 1002.41(1)(f)1. That is a review you arrange, separate from a district inspection.

How can you organize a paper portfolio?

One binder per child per year. Put the activity log at the front and work samples behind dividers by subject or by month.
A reading list page. Keep a running list of titles at the front of the binder, plus titles in the daily log, so reading materials are easy to find.
Date everything. Write the date on each work sample as you file it.
Sample, don't save it all. The law asks for samples. A few dated pieces per subject each month can show progress over the year.
Photos for the bulky stuff. Take dated photos of science projects, art, building projects and field trips.

How can you keep a digital portfolio?

The statute does not say the portfolio must be on paper. Common digital approaches include:

A shared spreadsheet or document with one row or entry per day: date, subjects, activities and titles used.
Cloud folders organized by school year, child and subject, holding scans and photos of work samples.
Homeschool planning apps that log lessons and attach files. If you use one, export your records regularly so you still have them if you stop using the service.

Homeschool Fair's School Tracker is one option built for this. Lessons you tick off become a dated activity log, books go in a reading list by title, work samples are photos you snap on your phone, and you can download a portfolio PDF for the dates you choose. School Plus is free for 30 days, no card needed. Prefer paper? Our free homeschool hours log printable includes a weekly log and a reading log.

Whichever format you use, back it up and make sure you can produce it within the 15-day notice window if asked. If you are looking for evaluators, tutors or curriculum to fill that portfolio, you can browse Florida homeschool providers.

What to do now

Pick a format, paper or digital, and set up this year's portfolio today.
Start the log now and make a habit of filling it in daily or weekly.
Add titles of everything your child reads for school as you go.
File a few dated work samples each month.
Mark a date to archive portfolios once they pass the 2-year mark, if you choose to discard them.

FAQ

Does a Florida homeschool portfolio have to be submitted to the district every year?

No. The statute requires you to keep it and make it available on request with 15 days' written notice. What you file each year is the annual evaluation.

Do I have to log hours or days for homeschooling in Florida?

The statute does not require a set number of hours or days. Section 1002.41(3) excludes home education programs from school-day requirements. The log must record educational activities and reading titles.

Can a Florida homeschool portfolio be kept digitally?

The statute does not specify a format. It requires a contemporaneous log and work samples, which can be kept on paper or digitally.

Did the Florida portfolio rules change 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: July 2026

Florida Homeschool Portfolio Requirements: What to Keep