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<channel><title><![CDATA[FL HOMESCHOOL EVALUATIONS - Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[Blog]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:52:39 -0500</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Affidavit of Completion]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/affidavit-of-completion]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/affidavit-of-completion#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:24:26 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Affidavit of Completion]]></category><category><![CDATA[college]]></category><category><![CDATA[diploma]]></category><category><![CDATA[graduation]]></category><category><![CDATA[high school]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/affidavit-of-completion</guid><description><![CDATA[																					Home Education FAQTranscript informationHigh School Graduation																									#element-95b30e77-1cbe-44c1-ac57-9040de3ebf64 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(194,164,59,0.45);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}Done with high school?The Affidavit of Completion is a notarized form or letter in which a parent affirms legally that the student completed high school as a homeschool stud [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:39.044943820225%; padding:0 15px;">											<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/published/done.jpg?1771296408" alt="Picture" style="width:241;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/4866/urlt/ParentHomeEdFAQ.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="wsite-button-inner">Home Education FAQ</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/transcripts.html" ><span class="wsite-button-inner">Transcript information</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/graduation.html" ><span class="wsite-button-inner">High School Graduation</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:60.955056179775%; padding:0 15px;">											<div id="935700706826797513"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-95b30e77-1cbe-44c1-ac57-9040de3ebf64 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(194,164,59,0.45);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-95b30e77-1cbe-44c1-ac57-9040de3ebf64" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><br />Done with high school?<br /><br />The <strong>Affidavit of Completion</strong> is a notarized form or letter in which a parent affirms legally that the student completed high school as a homeschool student--either through a <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/home-education-basics.html">home education program</a> or the new <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/pep.html">personalized education program (PEP)</a> option.<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="292291452454135468"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-6407088b-f9c6-46d8-983d-27f7f2f29506 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(194,164,59,0.45);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-6407088b-f9c6-46d8-983d-27f7f2f29506" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">Florida law requires all colleges in the Florida college system to accept the Affidavit of Completion as the legal equivalent of a high school diploma. <font color="#515151"><font size="2">(See question 15 in the <a href="https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/4866/urlt/ParentHomeEdFAQ.pdf" target="_blank">Florida Dept. of Education's official Home Education FAQ</a> for parents.)&nbsp;</font></font><br /><br />Florida colleges may have their own Affidavit of Completion forms, or parents can use their own.<br /><br />The Affidavit of Completion may be a stand-alone document or it can be combined with the student's transcript or even put on the reverse side of the student's diploma.<br /><br />Samples of the Affidavit of Completion are shown below. This document should be signed by the parent in front of a Notary Public after the student has officially graduated as a home education student. <font size="2">[Verify the wording for the notarization section with a notary public in case of changes in Florida law on this.]</font><br /><br />Some Florida school districts may ask for a copy of the Affidavit of Completion when a student is graduating so they have a record that the student graduated, but most do not want a copy.<br /><br />Instead, this form is to be kept by the student and/or parent to send to colleges or others asking for verification of the <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/graduation.html">homeschool graduation</a>. It should be used in conjunction with a homeschool diploma issued by the parent.<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div id="571214777529424802"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-5901d15b-6df9-4c7e-998b-d3fe05c895ed .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #a88d2e;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-5901d15b-6df9-4c7e-998b-d3fe05c895ed" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div id="878704081724172217"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-7fc9d117-3c78-496b-be0a-ffdad2feab4f .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #f8eaa9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-7fc9d117-3c78-496b-be0a-ffdad2feab4f" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#2812a8">&nbsp;Affidavit of Completion&nbsp; (Home Education Version)<br /><br /><br />I,<font size="2">&nbsp;</font>__________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(parent&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />parent of __________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(student&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />do hereby affirm that __________________ (student's name) graduated from high school on _______&nbsp; ___, 20___ <font size="2">(date)</font>&nbsp; through a home education program directed by ___________________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name)</font><br />in accordance with Florida law (FL s. 1002.41).<br /><br />_________________________<font size="2">(parent's signature) </font>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Home Education Program Director/Parent&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />________&nbsp; &nbsp;___, 20___<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date<br />&nbsp;<br />*************<br />STATE OF FLORIDA<br />COUNTY OF _______________________<br />&nbsp;<br />The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of<br />&nbsp; [ ] &nbsp; physical presence or&nbsp; [ ]&nbsp; online notarization this<br /><br />_____ day of _____________, 20______,<br /><br />by ______________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name).</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />________________________________<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Signature of Notary Public&mdash;State of Florida<br /><font size="2">(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary Public)</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />My commission expires: ____________&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;[ ] Personally Known or&nbsp;&nbsp; [ ] Produced Identification<br />Type of Identification Produced:</font><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div><div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div><div id="589974312225343750"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-09ceb0fc-b108-4c62-ad8d-322eff2e32f1 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #f8eaa9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-09ceb0fc-b108-4c62-ad8d-322eff2e32f1" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<font color="#2812a8">Affidavit of Completion (Personalized Education Program)<br /><br /><br />I,<font size="2">&nbsp;</font>__________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(parent&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />parent of __________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(student&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />do hereby affirm that __________________ (student's name) graduated from high school on _______&nbsp; ___, 20___ <font size="2">(date)</font>&nbsp; through a personalized education program directed by ___________________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name)</font><br />in accordance with Florida law (FL s. 1002.01).<br /><br />_________________________<font size="2">(parent's signature) </font>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Personalized Education Program Director/Parent&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />________&nbsp; &nbsp;___, 20___<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date<br />&nbsp;<br />*************<br />STATE OF FLORIDA<br />COUNTY OF _______________________<br />&nbsp;<br />The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of<br />&nbsp; [ ] &nbsp; physical presence or&nbsp; [ ]&nbsp; online notarization this<br /><br />_____ day of _____________, 20______,<br /><br />by ______________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name).</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />________________________________<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Signature of Notary Public&mdash;State of Florida<br /><font size="2">(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary Public)</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />My commission expires: ____________&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;[ ] Personally Known or&nbsp;&nbsp; [ ] Produced Identification<br />Type of Identification Produced:</font><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div><div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div><div id="542015737732387634"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-772eb581-5ec4-4b6c-a685-41239eaf35f2 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #f8eaa9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-772eb581-5ec4-4b6c-a685-41239eaf35f2" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<font color="#2812a8">Affidavit of Completion&nbsp; <br />(Home Education Version to use on transcript)<br /><br /><br />I,<font size="2">&nbsp;</font>__________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(parent&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />parent of __________________<font size="2">&nbsp;(student&rsquo;s name)</font>,<br />do hereby affirm that this is a true and correct copy of the official high school transcript&nbsp;<br />who was home educated and graduated from high school on _______&nbsp; ___, 20___ <font size="2">(date)</font>&nbsp; through a home education program directed by ___________________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name)</font><br />in accordance with Florida law (FL s. 1002.41).<br /><br />_________________________<font size="2">(parent's signature) </font>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Home Education Program Director/Parent&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />________&nbsp; &nbsp;___, 20___<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date<br />&nbsp;<br /></font><font color="#2812a8"><br /><br /><br />*************<br />STATE OF FLORIDA<br />COUNTY OF _______________________<br />&nbsp;<br />The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of<br />&nbsp; [ ] &nbsp; physical presence or&nbsp; [ ]&nbsp; online notarization this<br /><br />_____ day of _____________, 20______,<br /><br />by ______________ <font size="2">(parent&rsquo;s name).</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />________________________________<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Signature of Notary Public&mdash;State of Florida<br /><font size="2">(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary Public)</font><br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />My commission expires: ____________&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;[ ] Personally Known or&nbsp;&nbsp; [ ] Produced Identification<br />Type of Identification Produced:</font><br /><br /><br /><br /><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Portfolio Review Evaluations for Children with Special Needs]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-children-with-special-needs]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-children-with-special-needs#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:59:23 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Evaluations]]></category><category><![CDATA[Special needs]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-children-with-special-needs</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-6da6c82f-dc17-48ee-aba9-2eb1bcd23017 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(181,170,246,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}&nbsp;What is required for the portfolio review evaluation for a student with special needs?A portfolio, aka records&mdash;just as it would be for any other student: Records of the learning that fit the student's ability level.function setupElement607286696853843564() {	var requ [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="607286696853843564"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-6da6c82f-dc17-48ee-aba9-2eb1bcd23017 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(181,170,246,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-6da6c82f-dc17-48ee-aba9-2eb1bcd23017" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;What is required for the <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/general-information.html">portfolio review evaluation</a> for a student with special needs?<br /><br />A <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/portfolios.html">portfolio</a>, aka records&mdash;just as it would be for any other student: Records of the learning that fit the student's ability level.<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="208759081999260096"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-594bffc0-bfc7-41ae-9c18-05e38bb0163c .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(181,170,246,0.45);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-594bffc0-bfc7-41ae-9c18-05e38bb0163c" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div id="471502506755471767"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-06992515-e5ab-4fab-9f4c-5cab72736043 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(248,234,169,0.9);  border-style: Double;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-06992515-e5ab-4fab-9f4c-5cab72736043" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">Note that a portfolio review evaluation is not meant to determine if a student has special needs nor to update an IEP.&nbsp;<br /><br />To determine if a student has special needs, one option is to contact the child's pediatrician who may help or may refer to a specialist. Sometimes insurance will cover this.&nbsp; Another option is to contact the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Coordinator at the local zoned public school or at school district headquarters; this is the same place to contact if wanting to update an IEP. See this page for more information and resources: <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/specialneedshomeschooling.html">Special Needs</a>.<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div><div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div><div id="440024467129622736"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-97ac3071-c594-423e-8366-543e2d4a3646 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #b5aaf6;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-97ac3071-c594-423e-8366-543e2d4a3646" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;The portfolio should include:<br /><br />1. A log of educational activities--the parent keeps records of the learning that's happening. This could be a calendar or planner and might mostly list therapies if that's what the child needs at this point. A printout of a list of lessons done online is another option. A lesson plan book with notes is another option. See this page for other options: <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/portfolios.html">Portfolio</a><br /><br />2. Titles of reading materials--these could be materials that someone reads to the child or uses to teach vocabulary or reading. They could be titles of workbooks, sets of flashcards, picture books or other materials used to teach vocabulary, bedtime stories, or whatever is being used--even if someone else is reading them to the child.<br /><br />3. Samples of materials used by or generated by the child--these can be&nbsp; produced by the child or materials used by the child. Photos can be great to show what the child is learning and doing. Photos of flashcards or pages read to the child. Records showing learning materials used in therapies can work. Screen shots of lessons in an online program are another option. <br /><br />The samples should show the kinds of learning materials being used.<br /><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div><div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div><div class="paragraph">In my experience, students with special needs vary greatly. Some are gifted and working on very advanced materials. Others are struggling academically. Still others may have a combination of such issues. Some may be working on calculus or college courses, while others may be learning to hold a utensil and use the potty. Thankfully Florida home education evaluations can work for all of these students. As long as the parent ensures that the student is regularly learning and keeping paperwork as required, passing an evaluation shouldn't be a concern.<br /><br />Parents may have paperwork from therapists and other medical people assessing the child's progress and perhaps outlining a plan to work with the child. This might be an important portion of the portfolio.<br /><br />It is perfectly fine to work at the level that the student can handle<br /><br /><br />The law asks that the portfolio review evaluation look for <strong>evidence of educational progress commensurate with ability</strong>. So ability definitely needs to be taken into consideration. And if the child hasn't learned to self-feed or use the toilet, those are typically considered necessary skills to proceeding in academics. We want to see that the child is being educated at whatever level the student can handle.<br /><br /><br />Seeing documentation of the special needs may be helpful, but it is not required to show it to us. With such paperwork, we can document that this child falls under IDEA (Federal law protecting students with disabilities) and can make accommodations if needed in how the evaluation works.<br /><br /><br />We have evaluated many children with special needs of all sorts, including gifted children and those who are nonverbal, since 2003.&nbsp;<br /><br />Most parents use our <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/emailoption.html">online/email evaluation</a> option and share documentation with us via email after filling out our online form. Then we typically call to speak with the student--the conversation is usually fairly one-sided as it mostly involves us telling the student about the progress seen, usually while the student listens on speakerphone.<br /><br />Some use instead our <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/videooption.html">video call option</a> and have the student present to listen to the discussion as the parent shares records on camera or via screen-sharing.<br />For more details see: <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/general-information.html">Starting an Evaluation</a><br /><br /><br />If the student is using the Unique Abilities Scholarship with Step Up for Students, after submitting the evaluation request form to start the evaluation, you can choose to skip the payment form and instead reserve payment for the evaluation directly through SUFS's EMA system. See here for more details:<br /><a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/sufsema.html">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/sufsema.html</a><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Portfolio review evaluations for nonverbal children]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-nonverbal-children]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-nonverbal-children#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:05:02 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Evaluations]]></category><category><![CDATA[portfolio]]></category><category><![CDATA[Special needs]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/portfolio-review-evaluations-for-nonverbal-children</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-6f5994c4-e6b1-4688-a480-645cf43164d7 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.6);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}What is required for the portfolio review evaluation for a nonverbal student?A portfolio, aka records&mdash;just as it would be for any other student: Records of the learning that fit the student's ability level.The portfolio should include:function setupElement16098131972513221 [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="160981319725132214"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-6f5994c4-e6b1-4688-a480-645cf43164d7 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.6);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-6f5994c4-e6b1-4688-a480-645cf43164d7" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span>What is required for the <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/general-information.html">portfolio review evaluation</a> for a nonverbal student?<br /><br />A <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/portfolios.html">portfolio</a>, aka records&mdash;just as it would be for any other student: Records of the learning that fit the student's ability level.<br /><br />The portfolio should include:</span><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="724926183154535730"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-ee31551b-f103-4aa2-819d-d597752034bb .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(248,234,169,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-ee31551b-f103-4aa2-819d-d597752034bb" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span>1. A log of educational activities--the parent keeps records of the learning that's happening. This could be a calendar or planner and might mostly list therapies if that's what the child needs at this point.</span><br /><br /><span>2. Titles of reading materials--these would mostly likely be materials that someone reads to the child or uses to teach vocabulary. They could be titles of workbooks, sets of flashcards, picture books or other materials used to teach vocabulary, bedtime stories, or whatever is being used--even if someone else is reading it to the child.</span><br /><br /><span>3. Samples of materials used by or generated by the child--these can be&nbsp; produced by the child or materials used by the child. Photos can be great to show what the child is learning and doing. Photos of flashcards or pages read to the child. Records showing learning materials used in therapies can work.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div id="487137003692130942"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-0bec3336-bcbc-411c-91a6-cc032d489cf2 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.7);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-0bec3336-bcbc-411c-91a6-cc032d489cf2" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span>In my experience, parents of nonverbal children are likely to have paperwork from therapists and other medical people assessing the child's progress and likely outlining a plan to work with the child. This might be an important portion of the portfolio.</span><br /><br /><span>The parent is likely to have things like flashcards--which could be samples as they are materials used with the child--or descriptions of therapies done, perhaps lists of words therapists are working on with the child, or maybe even descriptions of skills being worked on such as using a spoon or potty training. Photos of the child working on using a spoon or learning to hold a pencil can definitely be considered samples if that's the level that the student is at.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>The law asks that the portfolio review evaluation look for <strong><font size="4">evidence of educational progress commensurate with ability</font></strong>. So ability definitely needs to be taken into consideration. And if the child hasn't learned to self-feed or use the toilet, those are typically considered necessary skills to proceeding in academics. We want to see that the child is being educated at whatever level the student can handle.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>Seeing documentation of the special needs is helpful, so that we can document that this child falls under IDEA (Federal law protecting students with disabilities) and can make accommodations if needed in how the evaluation works.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>We have evaluated many nonverbal children since 2003. I've watched as many of them grow up. Of course, I can&rsquo;t guarantee success but I have seen many success stories. It's amazing to see children who were nonverbal for the first several years of their formal education who in their teen years are successfully taking college courses or running businesses. A few years ago, one such student sent me some artwork that she had made to sell through her own business--beautiful resin ornaments--in thanks when she graduated high school as a home education student.<br /><br />Most parents of nonverbal students use our online/email evaluation option and share documentation with us via email after filling out our online form. Then we typically call to speak with the student--the conversation is one-sided with us telling the student about the progress seen, usually while the student listens on speakerphone.<br /><br />Some use instead our video call option and have the student present to listen to the discussion as the parent shares records on camera or via screen-sharing.<br />For more details see: <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/general-information.html">Starting an Evaluation</a><br /><br /><br />If the student is using the Unique Abilities Scholarship with Step Up for Students, after submitting the evaluation request form to start the evaluation, you can choose to skip the payment form and instead reserve payment for the evaluation directly through SUFS's EMA system. See here for more details:</span><br /><a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/sufsema.html">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/sufsema.html</a><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Letter of Intent Form]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/letter-of-intent-form]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/letter-of-intent-form#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:11:07 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[documents]]></category><category><![CDATA[intent to homeschool]]></category><category><![CDATA[portfolio]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/letter-of-intent-form</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-e7ef2a5f-37d6-4589-a911-d19d9b9d52af .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}																					The attached form is for those who want to home educate their children--that is, homeschool officially by notifying the Florida school district that you, the parent, have taken control of your child's education.(This form should NOT be used by those using th [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="155561298238504126"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-e7ef2a5f-37d6-4589-a911-d19d9b9d52af .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-e7ef2a5f-37d6-4589-a911-d19d9b9d52af" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:58.142857142857%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The attached form is for those who want to home educate their children--that is, homeschool officially by notifying the Florida school district that you, the parent, have taken control of your child's education.<br /><br /><strong><font color="#da4444" size="2">(This form should NOT be used by those using the <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/pep.html">PEP</a>. Instead they should use the <em>Student Learning Plan</em> that the Scholarship Funding Organization of their choice provides.)</font></strong><br /><br /><font size="3"><strong><em>Directions</em></strong>: <strong>Print out the attached form and complete it</strong>. Be sure to sign the form as a signature is legally required. Submit it to your Florida school district's (county's) home education contact. Most people email it.</font><br /><font size="2">If you don't have a printer, you can create your own letter as long as it includes: the child's full name and date of birth, address, parent's name and signature, date, and says something about intending to follow Florida's home education law.</font><br></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:41.857142857143%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div><div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;text-align:center"><a href='https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/letter_of_intent_form_not_for_pep.pdf'><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/loi-without-pep-pic_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/home-edu/district-home-edu-contacts.stml" target="_blank"><span class="wsite-button-inner">Home Ed Contact Info</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:center;"><strong><font color="#5040ae" size="2">File the Letter of Intent with the district's home education contact.<br /> Emailing is how most send it.</font></strong><br></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="941182209751278159"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-05d842e7-837d-4252-a941-712631342f24 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.45);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-05d842e7-837d-4252-a941-712631342f24" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:50%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph">1. The district is required to immediately accept and record the Letter of Intent.<br /><br />2. The district cannot require more information unless you also enroll your child in a district program such as school sports. <font size="2">The district cannot require more information--even if you've just moved here.</font><br /><br />3. The district cannot refuse to record the Letter of Intent until you do something else. <font size="2">(The district must adhere to Fl Home Education law which prohibits districts from adding additional requirements.)</font><br /><br />4. The district cannot require a specific form.<br /><br />5. The Letter of Intent should be filed within 30 days of beginning to officially home educate. <font size="2">(It can be filed the day you begin or up to 30 days before or up to 30 days after.) Most file it in July or early August.</font><br /><br />6. The Letter of Intent is filed once; it stays in effect until revoked by the parent with a Letter of Termination. <font size="2">It does not need to be refiled each year.</font><br /><br />7. Most people email the Letter of Intent. Some take it in person and ask for a copy of it with the district's date-received stamp on it. Mailing is not recommended.<br></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:50%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><strong><em>We recommend NOT using school district Letter of Intent forms.</em></strong><br /><br />Why?<br />Most district forms have <strong>incorrect or out-dated information</strong> on them and/or ask for <strong>info</strong>rmation that parents are <strong>not required</strong> to provide<em>. </em>But also, using district forms gives district officials the idea that they are in control and can add requirements. <strong>Using a non-district form helps push back and remind district officials that they are not in control and helps protect our freedom.</strong><br></div><div class="wsite-scribd">										<div id="103639349504022427-pdf-fallback" style="display: none;">					Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/letter_of_intent_form_not_for_pep.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to download the document.				</div>				<div id="103639349504022427-pdf-embed" style="display: none; height: 500px;">				</div>							</div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div><div class="paragraph"><strong>Submitting a Letter of Intent means that you have agreed to keep records of the education of your child and agree to submit an evaluation once a year, and to submit a Letter of Termination with a final evaluation when done home educating.</strong><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;"> 	<table class="wsite-multicol-table"> 		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"> 			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"> 				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:50%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/letter-of-intent-age-for-young-child-listing-months-with-pep-note_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/portfolio-requirements_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>   					 				</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:50%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/districts-dont-set-policy-june-2022_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/evaluations-info_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>   					 				</td>			</tr> 		</tbody> 	</table> </div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Online Homeschool Curriculum Options]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-homeschool-curriculum-options]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-homeschool-curriculum-options#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:43:24 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[curriculum]]></category><category><![CDATA[English language arts]]></category><category><![CDATA[foreign language]]></category><category><![CDATA[high school]]></category><category><![CDATA[math]]></category><category><![CDATA[online]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-homeschool-curriculum-options</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-a43b16b7-7aa7-43ff-9e5e-0fa7633408ed .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(248,199,169,0.7);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}A lot of people want online curriculum to use in homeschooling. There are many options online. Obviously some are better than others. Many are meant to be supplementary. Some are full of busy work. Some allow students to work at their pace while others have a required pace. Som [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="140310606814862066"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-a43b16b7-7aa7-43ff-9e5e-0fa7633408ed .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(248,199,169,0.7);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-a43b16b7-7aa7-43ff-9e5e-0fa7633408ed" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">A lot of people want online curriculum to use in homeschooling. There are many options online. Obviously some are better than others. Many are meant to be supplementary. Some are full of busy work. Some allow students to work at their pace while others have a required pace. Some have pre-recorded lessons, while some have gamified learning or live lessons, or a combination of these.<br /><br />Looking at reviews online on sites other than the curriculum site can help discover what others think of the curriculum. Sites such as <a href="https://cathyduffyreviews.com/" target="_blank">Cathy Duffy's homeschool reviews</a> can help.<br></div><div><!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><strong><font color="#5040ae">&nbsp;Be careful as some children, especially young children, learn better with materials that are not online, with books or hands-on materials.</font></strong><br /><br /><strong>Note: </strong><em>Accreditation is not required for homeschool courses. Accredited options will not typically be self-paced but will have a set pace and the parent will have no control over the assignments.<br />If accreditation is important to you, research the source of the accreditation, its reputation, and the type of accreditation. For example, at least one online curriculum seems to have been accredited by an organization set up by the curriculum publisher whose educational credentials come from a university that he also set up. I've known of a private school that claimed accreditation but it was no longer an active accreditation.<br /><br /><strong>Also note:</strong> Online classes and homeschool curriculum are now a big business. There are scams out there. Research well before committing to pay for something, especially if the program seems new.<br /><br />Feel free to use materials that weren't necessarily designed as curriculum, too. There are lots of educational resources online.</em><br /><br /><font color="#8d2424"><strong>Some commonly used options</strong>:</font><br /><br /><strong>All subjects:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a>--long established curriculum, designed for home learning. Pre-K to 12th grade. Self-paced. Secular. Parents can control which lessons must be done.<br /><br /><a href="https://parents.miacademy.co" target="_blank">Miacademy</a>--k to 8th grade. Has optional faith-based courses. Has optional variants that are focused on lessons that appeal to a specific gender. Game-based learning but has optional pdf printable worksheets. Self-paced.<br /><br /><a href="https://parents.miaprep.com" target="_blank">&nbsp; Mia Prep</a>--high school version of Miacademy.<br /><br /><a href="https://allinonehomeschool.com/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool</a>--free pre-k to 8th grade, faith-based online learning. Optional workbooks. Self-paced. Since 2011.<br /><br /><a href="https://allinonehighschool.com/" target="_blank">&nbsp; Easy Peasy All-in-One High School</a>--free high school faith-based online learning. Self-paced.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.education.com/" target="_blank">Education.com</a>--pre-K to 8th grade. Secular. Offers lesson plans, worksheets, games, activities. Self-paced. Free option; low-cost subscription option.<br /><br /><a href="https://study.com/" target="_blank">Study.com</a>--High school. Secular. Variety of classes including AP, CLEP, and remedial.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.abeka.com/Homeschool/Products/AbekaAcademy" target="_blank">Abeka</a>--K4 to 12th grade. Faith-based. Accredited version and self-paced versions. Long-established curriculum used in many private schools. Reputation as rigorous. Online/videos and books. Phone, chat, and email support.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.liberty.edu/online-academy/" target="_blank">Liberty</a>--K to 12th grade. Faith-based. Accredited. Includes dual enrollment college class options. Live teacher support.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/" target="_blank">Bob Jones</a>--K3 to 12th grade. Faith-based. Accredited. Online or parent-led options. Phone, chat, and email support. Long-established curriculum used in many private schools.<br /><br /><a href="https://aop.com/pages/curriculum-overview" target="_blank">Alpha Omega Ignite</a>--PreK to 12th grade. Faith-based. Accredited. Long-established homeschool curriculum. Online and chat support.<br /><br /><a href="https://outschool.com/" target="_blank">Outschool</a>--A platform used by a wide variety of teachers to offer live video instruction. Some offer free individual classes to help decide if the teacher's instructional style is a good fit.<br /><br /><a href="https://thecrashcourse.com/about/" target="_blank">Crash Course</a>--High school and college level classes. Free. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://flvs.net/" target="_blank">FLVS Flex</a>--Florida Virtual School offers public classes for k-12. Free. Students can take up to 6 classes. Semi-self-paced as a pacing chart must be adhered to.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">Khan Academy</a>--Free video learning. Grades k-12. Specializes in math but includes a variety of other subjects.<br /><br /><a href="https://cathyduffyreviews.com/search?searchword=online&amp;searchphrase=all" target="_blank">Cathy Duffy Curriculum Reviews</a> lists a variety of other online courses, too.<br />-----------------------<br /><br /><strong>Math curriculum:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks</a>--Math 3 through Precalculus. Self-paced. Offers books, too. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://store.demmelearning.com/pages/math-u-see" target="_blank">Math-U-See</a>--Designed for homeschool co-op parents. Primer (K) through Calculus. Self-paced. Secular. Books, too.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.ctcmath.com/" target="_blank">CTC Math</a>--K to 12th grade. Australian program. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.ctcmath.com/" target="_blank">Mr. D Math</a>--Live, traditional, and gamified versions. Preparing for pre-algebra through Calculus. Secular. Live optional extra help sessions.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.thinkwellhomeschool.com/collections/grades-6-12-math" target="_blank">Thinkwell Math</a>--Grade 6-12 math. Secular. Essential, honors, AP, and college math options. Accredited.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.thinkwellhomeschool.com/collections/grades-6-12-math" target="_blank">Elephant Learning</a>--From age 2 through Algebra, personal finances, and other courses. Designed especially for helping students who are struggling or for preventing struggling in math with younger students. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://beastacademy.com/online" target="_blank">Beast Academy Online</a>--Small live online classes or self-paced options. For advanced students ages 6-13. Publish books as well that teach math comic-book style. Secular.<br /><br />&nbsp; <a href="https://artofproblemsolving.com/school" target="_blank">AOPS</a>--by the same publisher as Beast Academy. Math and science classes for grades 5-12. Secular. Including courses to help prepare for a variety of math contests.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.denisonalgebra.com" target="_blank">Denison Math</a>--Pre-algebra through Alg. 2 with Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry coming soon. Video lessons with books. Designed for homeschool students. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://esingaporemath.com/homeschoolers" target="_blank">eSingapore Math</a>--Grades K-5. Can adapt for remedial or enrichment learning. Lessons and games for review. Tutoring via email. Secular.<br /><br /><a href="https://mathseeds.com" target="_blank">Math Seeds</a>--Ages 3-9. Grades K-3.<br /><br />-----------<br /><strong>English language arts curriculum:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://readingeggs.com" target="_blank">Reading Eggs</a>--Reading and Ages 2-13.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.nightzookeeper.com" target="_blank">Night Zookeeper</a>--Gamified reading and writing learning.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.teachyourmonster.org/teachyourmonstertoread" target="_blank">Teach Your Monster to Read</a>--Early reading instruction. Free. Gamified learning.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.nessy.com" target="_blank">Nessy</a>--Reading and spelling. Designed for students with dyslexia.<br /><br /><a href="https://iew.com/support/classes/introduction" target="_blank">IEW</a>--Live online writing classes. Grades 4-12.<br /><br /><a href="https://essentialsinwriting.com" target="_blank">EIW</a>--Grades 1-12 writing classes. Middle and high school literature classes.<br /><br />------------<br /><br /><strong>Spanish:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.spanish.academy/" target="_blank">Homeschool Spanish Academy</a>--Accredited option. Preschool through high school options. Live video instruction with teachers from Guatemala.<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The PEP. Why would people refuse free money?]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-pep-why-would-people-refuse-free-money]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-pep-why-would-people-refuse-free-money#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:21:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Homeschooling issues or concerns]]></category><category><![CDATA[scholarships]]></category><category><![CDATA[social studies]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-pep-why-would-people-refuse-free-money</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-a9a54465-2c38-4d08-95a7-1c71d55d8155 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.4);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}Why would anyone refuse the free money that goes with the PEP?This is a question that I&rsquo;ve been asked a lot lately. Free is good; isn&rsquo;t it? Why would anyone turn down free money? Why wouldn&rsquo;t homeschooling families take the money? What are they worried about?fun [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="264031262701852858"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-a9a54465-2c38-4d08-95a7-1c71d55d8155 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.4);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-a9a54465-2c38-4d08-95a7-1c71d55d8155" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">Why would anyone refuse the free money that goes with the PEP?<br /><br />This is a question that I&rsquo;ve been asked a lot lately. Free is good; isn&rsquo;t it? Why would anyone turn down free money? Why wouldn&rsquo;t homeschooling families take the money? What are they worried about?<br /><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="238766995319010762"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-3ca37ca3-d4f6-48f6-ab3a-9d8d714942f8 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(201,248,169,0.4);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-3ca37ca3-d4f6-48f6-ab3a-9d8d714942f8" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">While many parents are jumping at the idea of free money, there are a number of reasons why many clear-thinking families are leery of taking the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship money for the PEP.<br /><br />1. <strong>Testing</strong><br />Testing is one of the concerns, and there are a few considerations behind this concern.<br /><br /><span>&nbsp; </span>A. <strong>Testing&mdash;no other options</strong><br /><br />With home education, parents can choose from 5 options for a yearly evaluation to show that their student is getting an education. Three of these options are testing options, but one is not a test and the other doesn&rsquo;t have to be. Home education parents could choose to have their child take a state-mandated public school test or a nationally-normed achievement test administered by a FL certified teacher of their choice.<br /><br />The PEP also allows for public school testing or for any other test on the Florida Dept. of Education&rsquo;s list of approved tests. Some of these approved tests can even be taken from the privacy of the student&rsquo;s own home on the family&rsquo;s own computer. But the PEP does not allow the option to have testing by a FL licensed psychologist; while most parents wouldn&rsquo;t use this option, it is a valuable option to those whose children were seeing a psychologist for other reasons such as those facing mental health crises.<br /><br />Neither does the PEP allow for a portfolio review evaluation in which a parent can show and discuss the records kept of the student&rsquo;s learning with a FL certified teacher and the student to verify that the student is being educated; this is a low-stress option that is particularly valuable for students with test anxiety or younger students. The portfolio review does not make decisions based on a specific test which might not be a good measure of student learning especially if the student doesn&rsquo;t test well, or is feeling ill, or is distracted or bullied during the test, etc. The portfolio review option is especially valuable for students who have special needs or are behind the level of those in the grade level typical for their age; it asks a certified teacher to verify that educational progress is being made.<br /><br />Neither does the PEP allow for an alternate evaluation option that the parent and district (or scholarship funding organization or some other entity) agree on. Under this option, home education students who take courses from FLVS flex or college dual enrollment programs can often get districts to accept grade reports with passing grades as proof that an education is received.<br /><br /><strong>Many parents have issues with testing and don&rsquo;t want it to be forced on their children</strong>. Their children may have testing anxiety or learning disabilities or other special needs. They may have issues with the format or focuses of the various tests and may feel that they aren&rsquo;t a good measure of their children&rsquo;s education. They may have issues with the testing focus in schools and may want to have their children move at a different pace or have a different focus. They may have researched the current educational standards and wonder at why these tests focus on concepts or skills that many experts on child development say are inappropriate for the children they are being given to. They may have issues with the many errors that pervade many of these tests and the air of secrecy that surrounds tests such as the state-mandated tests which hide the test questions from parents and even teachers.<br /><br /><span>&nbsp; </span>B. <strong>Testing as the focus of education</strong><br /><br />Many have strong issues with testing being the driving force in education. Today&rsquo;s public school tests aren&rsquo;t used to just show parents how their students&rsquo; achievement compares to the other students at their level. Testing has become a huge focus of education. Testing is used to not only decide if some students pass to the next grade level, but whether they get to have fun elective classes or have to take remedial classes to help bring up their scores. The scores are used to judge whether teachers should have bonuses and to grade schools. That&rsquo;s a huge amount of pressure to put on children, and some parents don&rsquo;t feel that&rsquo;s an appropriate amount of pressure for young students.<br /><br />In addition, as high stakes testing has taken over education, priorities in education have been set by testing. There&rsquo;s no test on music or art? Then why should a school bother with those? Handwriting doesn&rsquo;t matter on a computer-based test? Then let&rsquo;s limit instruction on handwriting. Before a civics test was added to the testing regimen, many Florida public schools (partiulary elementary schools) seriously cut back on or even eliminated social studies instruction. Courses in hands-on skills and time for recess were cut back more and more as they took time from test practice.<br /><br /><strong>Many parents have seen what high stakes testing has done to schools and don&rsquo;t want to be sucked into that same downward spiral in their own homes</strong>. They don&rsquo;t want to feel forced to teach to the test in order to keep the funding. And while they may be told that this isn&rsquo;t required, they worry what will happen if they don&rsquo;t and their child does poorly on the test. They worry about the damage to the child&rsquo;s self-esteem if they give a test not aligned with the education that the child received. They worry about long-term possible implications of low scores being kept in official records. They worry about feeling pressured to focus less on music, art, character education, cooking, career skills, and more in order to look good on tests.<br /><br /><span>&nbsp; </span>C. <strong>But the scores don&rsquo;t matter; or do they?</strong><br /><br />Many proponents of the PEP will say that the test scores don&rsquo;t matter. By this they mean that current law doesn&rsquo;t stop students from renewing the PEP because of low test scores, but the scores do matter in at least a couple of other ways.<br /><br />Florida law has added PEP students to many of the laws that have applied to home education students for years. One of these is the Craig Dickinson Act which allows homeschooled students (particularly at the high school level) to participate in school extracurricular activities at their zoned public schools or at schools they&rsquo;ve gained access to through the controlled open enrollment process or at willing private schools. Those homeschooled students who use testing for an evaluation must score above the 35th percentile to be eligible to participate. So low scores can impact options available to students.<br /><br />In addition, it&rsquo;s not clear the impact that test scores will have in the long-run. PEP student test scores must be submitted to the scholarship funding organizations each year. Homeschool group leaders were very worried in the beginning about how these scores would be used and asked a lot of questions before the law was first approved in 2023. The test scores were slated to be analyzed by a Florida university with the implication that the results would determine possible additional regulations. This concerned many leaders in the homeschool community. Would freedom be lost with this? It seemed likely based on what&rsquo;s happened in other areas in the past couple of decades or so that gave funding to homeschoolers.<br /><br />One question that I was (and still am) particularly concerned about was whether test scores would be considered in isolation for students who began homeschooling far behind their grade level. Over the years I have talked to many parents who were shocked to discover that their children who were previously in public schools were functioning far below their grade levels. The children were often earning good grades in school but didn&rsquo;t have the skills the parents expected. They were often shocked to find the huge lack in knowledge of topics that they assumed had been taught to their students but wasn&rsquo;t.<br /><br />I taught seventh grade math and reading in a Florida public middle school decades ago to a group of students who couldn&rsquo;t function at the seventh-grade level. They scored, on average, at a third-grade level in math and a second-grade level in reading, but they weren&rsquo;t in the lowest group. A colleague taught reading to those who scored on average at a first-grade level. We weren&rsquo;t allowed to give them all failing grades; so, their parents might not have understood how far behind they really were.<br /><br />What happens to students like those who are pulled out and homeschooled and test below their grade level? Will the system take into account that they started off below level? Will the system penalize them for the poor education received in public (or private) schools? We weren&rsquo;t given answers to these questions and they understandably worry some people. They certainly worry me as one of my children is developmentally behind in some areas but still making great strides educationally.<br /><br /><span>&nbsp; </span>D. <strong>Follow the money</strong><br /><br />Testing is a big business these days. Vast amounts of money are spent on the tests themselves and the practice tests. In addition, huge amounts are spent on practice materials and tutoring and classes, as well as curriculum aligned with the tests.<br /><br />As more and more people have left the public school system, testing businesses have lost money. Then state scholarships were put in place to help pay for private schools and now for homeschooling too with the proviso that testing is required. This seems to be a mechanism to regain lost market share. Many don&rsquo;t want to participate in that testing economy. They don&rsquo;t want to be sucked into it.<br /><br /><strong>2. Loss of Freedom</strong><br /><br />Home education in Florida allows parents to educate as they see fit as long as they keep records and turn in an annual evaluation of their choice each year to verify that their children are being educated. They can use any methods and materials that they feel are appropriate for their children. They can choose their focus&mdash;if a teenager dislikes academics and wants to become a mechanic or a business owner or an electrician or some other career, their parents can choose to focus on that goal. If the parent wants an education that focuses on developing a good moral compass first, they can do that. If the parent sees that the child learns better using certain methods, they can do that. And so on.<br /><br />Many fear that the PEP is a way to change that. This fear is not unwarranted as other areas that have given funds for homeschooling have used the drug-dealer marketing methodology: giving away a lot in the beginning and then, once the customer thinks they can&rsquo;t live without their product, charging a lot for it. I&rsquo;ve followed homeschooling news since 2000 and have seen areas give money for homeschooling freely at first. Then some push to stop using public money for funding faith-based materials or materials that aren&rsquo;t aligned with state education standards. A list of approved materials is made. Some demand consequences for students who earn low test scores. And so on.<br /><br />This fear is part of why the PEP is not simply a funded version of home education. In Florida, home education is a particular legal option for homeschooling. When the bill that led to the PEP first came out, it proposed to give funding to those in home education who applied for it, but homeschool leaders worked together to change that. We didn&rsquo;t want school districts to confuse the additional requirements of the PEP as requirements for all homeschoolers. We&rsquo;ve seen that school districts have a hard time adjusting to new regulations with homeschooling and knew that officials would inevitably add the requirements to every homeschooler if they kept the records for all. So leaders pushed for a different name for this funded-homeschooling option and a different set of officials to keep the records of this group (the scholarship funding organization rather than the school district). We&rsquo;ve seen our fears confirmed as the districts gave out lots of incorrect information about the PEP once the program took effect.<br />Many worry that the PEP is part of a long-term strategy to control homeschoolers more. The number of homeschoolers has increased dramatically in Florida in the past few years. Homeschool parents have had the freedom to direct their children&rsquo;s educations and this worries some officials who want more controls in place. Giving money and then threatening to take away the funding source gives an opportunity for a lot of control.<br /><br /><strong>3. But we can just leave the PEP if freedom is lost; right?</strong><br /><br />When the PEP was first proposed, I was involved in a lot of meetings and trainings. I helped behind the scenes. I was in contact with top officials in both of the Scholarship Funding Organizations as well as homeschool leaders who worked behind the scenes. I was told repeatedly that testing was required by the PEP only for those renewing the scholarship&mdash;that those who didn&rsquo;t want to renew could just cancel it. They could send their children to a school or start using the Home Education Program option instead.<br /><br />But a few months into the PEP, I was told by parents that Scholarship Funding Officials had changed that policy. Those who wanted to leave the program were told that they must submit test scores. If they didn&rsquo;t, a threat was made that their children would be prohibited from collecting any other state scholarship money. They wouldn&rsquo;t be eligible for money to help pay for private schools nor for money for college.<br />This means that a policy was changed and the new policy was forced on those who joined under the old policy. The new policy was made retroactive. This is frightening to many because it has set a precedent for the PEP to do this in future with other requirements that might be changed or added.<br /><br />There&rsquo;s a PEP Purchasing Guide and a PEP Parent Handbook (and now a Provider Handbook for those receiving money for their tutoring, teaching or other services or products through the PEP.) These are supposed to be updated at least annually. The new handbooks are set to come out at the beginning of July each year, yet applications for the PEP must be submitted by the end of April 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. This means that it isn&rsquo;t clear what policies parents are agreeing to when applying for the PEP; they can&rsquo;t just assume the policies will remain the same as they have not done so in the past.<br /><br /><strong>4. Changing the homeschooling economy</strong><br /><br />The PEP was supposed to make it possible for parents to homeschool their children if they wanted by giving them some of the money that the public school system would have spent on their children. This hasn&rsquo;t played out that way, though.<br /><br /><strong><span><span>A.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span>Does it help afford homeschooling?</strong><br /><br />When finances have hindered people from homeschooling, it hasn&rsquo;t typically been the cost of learning materials or programs. There are lots of sources of low-cost materials including curricula available for free online and many sources of used materials. In addition, homeschool support groups and co-ops in which parents join forces and volunteer to provide opportunities for their children are widespread across Florida. Instead, the main financial problem has been the need for one parent to stop working, or at least severely cut back, in order to direct the children&rsquo;s education&mdash;whether the parent taught the children herself/himself or brought in tutors or got involved in groups of homeschoolers. Parents found it hard to pay the rent or mortgage, the grocery and insurance bills, etc. without that second income. The PEP doesn&rsquo;t pay for those household expenses and so it still doesn&rsquo;t make it possible for some to afford homeschooling.<br /><br />When I started homeschooling, my family budget was tight. Very tight. My husband had switched careers and became a teacher just as Florida schools stopped giving automatic raises with increased pay yearly for increased years of experience as well as cost-of-living increases. He was at the bottom of the pay scale. We were able to cope because I cut corners everywhere I could. I used cloth diapers that I washed and hung in the sunshine to dry. We ate out once a year. We rarely got new clothes and the few we did were often sewn from fabric taken from worn-out clothing. I used a lot of library books, cast-off public-school materials that went &ldquo;off adoption,&rdquo; free online resources, used materials, and items shared by other homeschoolers who were done with them. We had no cable tv nor a cell phone. But we joined an inexpensive local homeschool support group (which cost $5 a year to belong to) and participated in lots of free and low-cost activities. We went to park meetings where the children played and the adults shared ideas. The kids participated in free soccer lessons led by a homeschool dad who had played some soccer, kickball games led by a mom who remembered playing kickball in school and researched the rules and taught them to the kids, martial arts lessons led by a couple of homeschooling parents who charged $5 a month to help pay for the materials used, and more. A mom who wanted a theater/drama program for her kids, organized practices for a play and found people who shared their experiences to teach voice and choreography and acting and we split the costs to rent a theater and charged admission to keep costs low. My kids participated in lots of wonderful activities that I wouldn&rsquo;t have managed alone because of other parents who wanted to make homeschooling great for their own kids. I did my own part and led a variety of clubs and classes&mdash;sometimes on subjects I already knew and sometimes on things I taught myself first.<br /><br />My experiences weren&rsquo;t unique. People across Florida joined together and formed homeschool support groups or co-ops and worked together to enhance their children&rsquo;s homeschool options.<br /><br />With the coming of the PEP, a lot of these great cooperative programs have either shut down&mdash;in part because the PEP won&rsquo;t pay for programs led by parents with a passion but no formal training&mdash;or have jacked up prices because some people have money to pay more than most homeschooling families used to be able to pay. I&rsquo;ve talked to people who&rsquo;ve moved to Florida in order to try to cash in on programs that they can charge homeschoolers a lot for, and the paid programs don&rsquo;t have the community aspect of the previous programs as children are typically not given time to socialize in the formal paid programs in the same way they could in the volunteer-led programs. It seems that overall quality has diminished as leadership has changed from involved parents to paid professionals.<br /><br />Even the state has participated in this. The state&rsquo;s official educational website <a href="https://www.cpalms.org/" target="_blank">CPalms.org</a> was previously fully available to parents who wanted to use state resources in their homeschooling. But with the introduction of the PEP, a hefty membership fee was instituted for parents to view many of their educational resources.<br /><br /><strong><span><span>B.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span>Where is the funding coming from?</strong><br /><br />The funding originally was supposed to follow the child. Money that would have paid for the child&rsquo;s public-school education would follow the child to a private school or to homeschooling if the child wasn&rsquo;t in a public school. That was the plan. But that plan was tried in Florida more than a decade ago and was ruled unconstitutional in Tallahassee because it took money from public schools. Before the PEP bill was approved, the funding source was changed to a scholarship called the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship which is funded by donations. Businesses can get a tax credit for money donated to this scholarship.<br />Many are concerned about this funding source. Some claim that the concerns are unwarranted because it isn&rsquo;t state-funding because it comes from donations. But others point out that the funds are donated to the state and while administered by private organizations, state law details how funding is to be administered in a way that clearly makes it seem like state funds.<br /><br /><strong><span><span>C.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span>Funding stability and source</strong><br /><br />One of the concerns is the stability of this funding source. In the first school year, it funded 20,000 scholarships at about $8,000 a student (the exact amount varied by school district and grade level). For the 2024-2025 school year, it funded 60,000 scholarships, next year it is supposed to fund 100,000 scholarships, and eventually it is supposed to fund as many as want it.<br /><br />How are donations supposed to keep up this pace? What happens when they can&rsquo;t keep up? Who is funding this at such a level and why? These are all questions that concern many.<br /><br /><strong>5. Proposed changes</strong><br /><br />The PEP has not even existed for two full school years at this point. It is new. But it&rsquo;s already undergone changes and more changes are proposed in Tallahassee. One bill that is under consideration currently (Senate bill 7030) aims to consolidate multiple k-12 scholarships with a single application and reimbursement process. It also requires public schools in Florida to do state-mandated public-school testing and the staff to administer those tests at private schools; this could be seen at the beginning of a push to eventually mandate public-school testing for all scholarship recipients and therefore gain state control over both private schools and homeschoolers and their curriculum.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>6. Current Complaints</strong><br /><br />I&rsquo;ve already heard complaints from parents using the PEP that the program is rejecting more and more submissions for reimbursement. Sometimes in ways that seem arbitrary. For example, in a family with three children, reimbursing the cost of a program for one of the children but rejecting requests to reimburse payment for the other two in the same program. Or reimbursing the cost of a program for a child in one homeschooling family but refusing to reimburse it for another. Some have given up using certain types of programs or materials after trying multiple times to get those expenses approved. This means that the scholarship is already affecting how some homeschool. These concerns are not just conspiracy theories&hellip;.<br /><br />======<br /><br />For more details on the PEP and the approved tests and current program requirements see<br /><a href="https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ftc/annual-assessment-requirement.stml">https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ftc/annual-assessment-requirement.stml</a><span>&nbsp; </span>or<br /><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ftc/pep-faqs.stml">https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ftc/pep-faqs.stml</a><br />2025 Senate Bill 7030<br /><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/7030/?StartTab=Analyses#Analyses">https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/7030/?StartTab=Analyses#Analyses</a><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;<span> </span></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-normal" href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/pep.html" ><span class="wsite-button-inner">More PEP Info</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[High School Curriculum Suggestions]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/high-school-curriculum-suggestions]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/high-school-curriculum-suggestions#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:10:20 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[curriculum]]></category><category><![CDATA[high school]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/high-school-curriculum-suggestions</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-500d3ba7-1319-4bcc-81d2-fb6db8e78df5 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(176,115,218,0.6);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}Even at the high school level, parents can direct their student's homeschool program and can choose to use published curriculum of their choice or can choose to use materials and/or methods that weren't necessarily designed to be curriculum.&nbsp; Below are just a few of the man [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="352988837453667711"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-500d3ba7-1319-4bcc-81d2-fb6db8e78df5 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: rgba(176,115,218,0.6);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-500d3ba7-1319-4bcc-81d2-fb6db8e78df5" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph">Even at the high school level, parents can direct their student's homeschool program and can choose to use published curriculum of their choice or can choose to use materials and/or methods that weren't necessarily designed to be curriculum.&nbsp; Below are just a few of the many options available. <br /><br />See <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/curriculum.html" target="_blank">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/curriculum.html</a>&nbsp; for more suggestions.<br></div><div><!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><br /><br /><a href="https://www.abeka.com" target="_blank">Abeka</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse" target="_blank">Crash Course</a> video learning<br /><br /><a href="https://allinonehighschool.com/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy All-in-One High School</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">Khan Academy</a><br /><br /><a href="https://parents.miaprep.com/" target="_blank">MiaPrep</a><br /><br />Public school virtual classes: <a href="https://flvs.net/how-it-works/enrollment-options/flex" target="_blank">FLVS Flex and other options</a><br /><br /><a href="https://study.com/" target="_blank">Study.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum/high-school.html" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/dual-enrollment-earning-college-credit-before-high-school-graduation">Dual enrollment</a>--free (or almost free) courses at local college<br /><br /><br /><br />Top picks:&nbsp; <a href="https://ourjourneywestward.com/high-school-homeschool-curriculum/" target="_blank">Faith-based list</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/grade-level-packages-and-courses/high-school" target="_blank">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cathy Duffy</a><br /><br />High school reading lists: <a href="https://cardinalpine.com/2023/05/02/50-classics-from-almost-everyones-high-school-reading-list/" target="_blank">Top 50</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/485846-high-school-literature-suggestions-that-arent-so-dark-and-depressing/" target="_blank">Another reading list</a><br /><br /><br />Design your own unit study: <a href="https://ourjourneywestward.com/how-to-plan-a-unit-study/" target="_blank">Unit Study</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0q4rCMNJhM" target="_blank">Video Directions</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Specifically math:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; CTC<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.denisonalgebra.com/about" target="_blank">Denison</a><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://mrdmath.com/" target="_blank">Mr. D Math</a><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks</a><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div class="paragraph"></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unmotivated?]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/unmotivated]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/unmotivated#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:40:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[American History]]></category><category><![CDATA[careers]]></category><category><![CDATA[high school]]></category><category><![CDATA[History]]></category><category><![CDATA[P.E.]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/unmotivated</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-846a29b6-adf7-4c24-8f97-3dfb18b13b23 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #c9f8a9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}Teens (especially) Not Motivated to Learn and/or Not Cooperating with Homeschooling? 																																													Q: I have a teenager who is unmotivated/depressed/not cooperating with Homeschooling. How can I deal with this if I pull her out of school to homeschool?---A: This  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="982836687498383860"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-846a29b6-adf7-4c24-8f97-3dfb18b13b23 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #c9f8a9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-846a29b6-adf7-4c24-8f97-3dfb18b13b23" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><h2 class="wsite-content-title"><span>Teens (especially) Not Motivated to Learn and/or Not Cooperating with Homeschooling? </span><br></h2><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:20.626631853786%; padding:0 15px;">											<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;text-align:center"><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/writing-materials_orig.jpg" alt="pad of paper and writing utensils" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:79.373368146214%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph">Q: I have a <span>teenager who is unmotivated/depressed/not cooperating with Homeschooling. How can I deal with this if I pull her out of school to homeschool?</span><br /><span>---</span><br /><br />A: <span>This can be common for high-school-age students. So many of them do not want to waste time on things that they don't see a purpose or meaning to. They may not see how the lessons they are expected to learn will be of any use to them.</span><br></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="384788996933635997"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-90652b4c-9a37-4c50-b35d-8046303428f0 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #c9f8a9;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-90652b4c-9a37-4c50-b35d-8046303428f0" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span>I went through this with one of my own and I've helped many other people through it. What I have found helps is to start with working on helping your child figure out what he or she wants to do in adulthood. Make that the focus for a while. Use books or websites to help your student figure out what they do and/or don't want to do as an adult. Think not just about types of careers, but also the lifestyle wanted.</span><br /><br /><span>Does your child want a safe and secure adult life with regular salary, paid sick leave, regular working hours, etc.? Or the excitement of possibly having a commission and a big bonus? Does your child want a desk job or an outdoor job or some of both? Does your child want a job with independence where your child can make a lot of decisions about the day-to-day working or the kind of job where somebody stands over the child's shoulder telling him or her what to do all the time? These sorts of things can help figure out the kind of job that would work for your child.</span><br /><br /><span>Then work backwards. Figure out what your child needs to learn to reach that point. Even if your child later changes his or her mind, working towards a goal of his or her own choosing will tend to make the child more willing to go along with the lessons and better prepare him or her for whatever path in life.</span><br /><br /><span>Giving the child the power to plan their own lessons can help too. With one of mine, I told him the classes that I expected him to do to reach his goal, but I wanted him to figure out how to do these classes. For electives, he could choose whatever he wanted.</span><br /><br /><span>So, for example, one of the subjects I told him he had to learn was <strong>American history</strong>. He asked if he could watch videos to learn it. I told him I was sure that someone had already mapped this out, and we could search the Internet to find such a person who had done the work of planning for us. So, we searched and found a site someone had set up listing videos on American history by time period. I agreed to let him pick videos from their lists as long as he didn't focus on just one time period. He had to write down the title and keep a record of how much time he spent watching these. For each one that he watched, I told him that he had to write a paper telling me what he'd gotten out of it. What had he learned? What questions did it raise? I might ask him to rewrite it if I thought he hadn't put enough into it but as soon as he had watched 120 hours I would give him one credit for American history. We saved most of the papers he wrote as samples of materials created by the student for the course.</span><br /><br /><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div><a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="https://teachwithmovies.org/subject-matter-united-states-history-culture/" target="_blank"><span class="wsite-button-inner">Learning history with movies/videos</span></a><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div><div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<br /><span>He needed some electives; I let him choose the subjects.<br /><br />He wanted to join a gym that was within walking distance of our house, and he set up a daily workout routine and that became one PE elective. Again, I told him that I'd give him one credit once he'd logged at least 120 hours. His notes on his exercise routine served as samples of materials created by the student for this class.<br /><br />He was interested in enlisting and wanted to read about military history and books by generals and other military leaders. He chose books and recorded their titles. After reading each one, he told me about it. We discussed what he'd learned and what he thought of each book. We gave a name to this elective calling it Social Studies: Intro. to Military History. After logging at least 60 hours, I added it as a half credit to his transcript. Photos of a few pages he'd read served as samples of materials used for this course.<br /><br />At the nearby gym, he also joined a serious martial arts class with police officers and other professionals in it for another P.E. elective. Again, I wrote it up in an official transcript as one credit once he'd logged 120 hours or more in the class. Paperwork for him earning different levels of belts served as samples of his work in the course.<br /><br />For a final science class, he decided to take an Earth Space class through <a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/dual-enrollment-earning-college-credit-before-high-school-graduation">dual enrollment</a> at the local community college. He had a sibling and a friend in the class and didn't mind having the more formal class since he chose it.</span><br /><br /><span>Once he got to plan what and how he was studying, and saw that it was helping him reach his goals, his level of cooperation turned around greatly. He was a much more willing participant in his own education.&nbsp; He was accepted by every college that he finished the application to, but chose to go into the military instead--he accomplished his goal.<br /><br />Most students respond well to this approach. Some may need more assistance in figuring out options for learning, but helping the student figure out educational goals that can be met in a way that works for the student usually changes a student's motivation level dramatically--especially if the parent or a mentor of some sort helps the student figure out options that are workable for the student.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>For more information on Homeschooling high school this page on my website may help:</span><br /><a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/homeschooling-high-school.html">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/homeschooling-high-school.html</a><br /><span>---</span><br /><br /><span>I have helped a number of parents dealing with this to find options that work for their child. If you'd like a consultation, you can schedule one here:</span><br /><a href="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/consultations-and-choice-navigation.html</a><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[In Lee County and wanting to start homeschooling?]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/in-lee-county-and-wanting-to-start-homeschooling]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/in-lee-county-and-wanting-to-start-homeschooling#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:51:21 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[district issues]]></category><category><![CDATA[intent to homeschool]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lee County]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/in-lee-county-and-wanting-to-start-homeschooling</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-2d8db0c3-7d1d-429c-a40f-d6b74bb90eeb .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #a9e4f8;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}Re: Reported issue in Lee CountyI have been informed that Lee County's home education department is not following Florida law in regard to letters of intent to start Home Education--That they have told some families that they cannot remove their children from a public school to start homeschoo [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="432403486670194677"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-2d8db0c3-7d1d-429c-a40f-d6b74bb90eeb .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #a9e4f8;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-2d8db0c3-7d1d-429c-a40f-d6b74bb90eeb" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><h2 class="wsite-content-title">Re: Reported issue in Lee County<br></h2><div class="paragraph"><span>I have been informed that Lee County's home education department is not following Florida law in regard to letters of intent to start Home Education--That they have told some families that they cannot remove their children from a public school to start homeschooling until the marking period is over and grades are posted. This is not in line with Florida law, which specifically states that the letter of intent is to be immediately recorded once it is sent.</span><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="102077421283703601"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-2dd396ca-2fce-47a1-9b3c-7d02c8b80364 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: #a9e4f8;  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-2dd396ca-2fce-47a1-9b3c-7d02c8b80364" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><br /><br /><span>If you are someone who has been told by the Home Education personnel of Lee county that your letter of intent cannot be processed until the end of the marking period I suggest the following:</span><br /><br /><span>My recommendation (based on experience in previous experiences with other districts) is to have each of these families resend their letters of intent attached to the response from the school district and clearly state that they have sent the letter of intent and wish it to be recorded immediately as required by Florida law.</span><br /><br /><span>They should include not only the Home Education contact on the email, but also the superintendent and also Sandy Eggers of the Florida Department of education. She is the director of Home Education for the entire state. Her job is to help in situations in which the district is not doing as they should. This is exactly the sort of situation that she should be included on.</span><br /><br /><span>Her email is</span><br /><span>DOEhomeeducation@fldoe.org</span><br /><br /><span>I would also like to be included on it so that I can help if this is not directly taken care of. My email address is</span><br /><span>cheryl@flhomeschoolevaluations.com</span><br /><br /><span>The families should also include the local school that they are withdrawing their student from on this email.</span><br /><span>Cheryl Trzasko</span><br /><span>---</span><br /><br /><span>*Lee</span><br /><span>Dr. Denise Carlin, Superintendent</span><br /><span>E-mail: superintendent@leeschools.net</span><br /><span>---</span><br /><span>Lee</span><br /><span>Dawn Robertson Andre</span><br /><span>Home Education Contact</span><br /><span>homeschool@leeschools.net</span><br /><br /><span>----</span><br /><strong><span>Together, pushing back like this is how we keep from losing freedom as homeschool families.</span></strong><br /><br /><span>---</span><br /><br /></div><blockquote><font size="2"><span>(a) The parent, as defined in s. 1000.21, who establishes and maintains a home education program shall notify the district school superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education program. The notice must be in writing, signed by the parent, and include the full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all children who shall be enrolled as students in the home education program. The notice must be filed in the district school superintendent&rsquo;s office within 30 days of the establishment of the home education program.</span><br /><span>(b) <strong>The district school superintendent shall accept the notice and immediately register the home education program upon receipt of the notice.</strong> The district may not require any additional information or verification from the parent unless the student chooses to participate in a school district program or service. The district school superintendent may not assign a grade level to the home education student or include a social security number or any other personal information of the student in any school district or state database unless the student chooses to participate in a school district program or service." <em>From Florida law</em></span></font><br></blockquote></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div style="text-align:center;"><div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div> <a class="wsite-button wsite-button-small wsite-button-highlight" href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=1000-1099/1002/Sections/1002.41.html" target="_blank"> <span class="wsite-button-inner">Florida Home Education Law</span> </a> <div style="height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Homeschooling After a Disaster Hits]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/homeschooling-after-a-disaster-hits]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/homeschooling-after-a-disaster-hits#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 29 Sep 2024 10:50:46 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[disaster]]></category><category><![CDATA[missed deadline]]></category><category><![CDATA[portfolio]]></category><category><![CDATA[science]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/homeschooling-after-a-disaster-hits</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-2d6afccc-ef00-4e80-b826-a3967228b90e .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: #f8a9a9;  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #a82e2e;  border-width: 3px;}																																													Some tips on what to do if your homeschooling program is affected by a hurricane (or other disaster).															function setupElement556300582344029647() {	var requireFunc = window.platformElementRequire || window.require;	// Relies on a globa [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="556300582344029647"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-2d6afccc-ef00-4e80-b826-a3967228b90e .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: #f8a9a9;  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #a82e2e;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-2d6afccc-ef00-4e80-b826-a3967228b90e" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:15.100154083205%; padding:0 15px;">											<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/hurricane-symbol_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:84.899845916795%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph">Some tips on what to do if your homeschooling program is affected by a hurricane (or other disaster).<br></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="273619191681099385"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-3b471ac7-f2e8-4d0e-b508-361fe8df72e3 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 10px;  background-color: #f8a9a9;  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #a82e2e;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-3b471ac7-f2e8-4d0e-b508-361fe8df72e3" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp; Unfortunately, disasters strike periodically and can impact homeschooling. Perhaps these tips might help some with figuring out solutions to some homeschooling problems.<br /><br /><strong>Evaluations</strong><br /><br />If you have an evaluation deadline that's about to be here, the Florida Dept of Education has previously directed Florida school districts to be understanding and give extra time to those affected by disasters. Send your local district's home education contact a message saying that you have been affected by Hurricane Helene (or whatever the disaster is) when you are able and will get to the evaluation when you are able. Then you can work on what you need to without worrying so over the coming deadline.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/home-edu/district-home-edu-contacts.stml" target="_blank">Home education contact</a> link</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>Once you get the evaluation done and send it in, the district should accept the evaluation and your home education program should be fine.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Portfolio Records</strong><br /><br />If you have lost your portfolio records in the disaster and you aren't far into your school year, make a note in your new records that previous records were lost during the disaster, and start keeping new records from this point forward; you'll have enough by the end of your school year for an evaluation.<br /><br />If you have lost records for most of your school year, and you are now near the end of your school year--you may need to try to re-create at least a portion of your records. Mark them saying "some records lost due to Hurricane Helene" (or whatever the disaster was).<br /><br />Titles of reading materials should be easy to recreate if you can remember a few titles used throughout the year.<br /><br />If you can get access to duplicates of materials that were lost or are too damaged to use, try making a copy of the table of contents pages to mark, as best you can, to show the parts that were used; put the words "Log of Educational Activities" on it to show that you have a Log.<br />If you can't get duplicates to help, consider making a list of all the educational activities that you can remember--list experiments, field trips, art works, projects, etc.--to serve as a "better than nothing" Log of Educational activities.<br /><br />Samples of educational materials made or created by the student? If these are lost, you might be able to borrow duplicate materials and take photos of a few pages that were used previously. Try reaching out to the curriculum company, if you used published or online curriculum, and ask for copies of a few lessons used. If you saved a camera or phone with a built-in camera or perhaps saved some photos to a social media account, see if any of those could serve as samples of educational activities done. Or ask and see if anyone you know might have some photos of activities the kids participated in.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Lost Curriculum You Were Still Planning to Use? </strong><br /><br />If you have lost homeschooling materials, reach out to the curriculum providers. Several curriculum companies have previously provided low/no cost replacements to disaster victims upon polite request and information about what happened.<br /><br /><a href="https://hslda.org/" target="_blank">HSLDA</a> has a disaster relief program that provides funds for curriculum but also for household goods and emergency needs such as displacement costs, meals, diapers, etc. but only for those not receiving funds from the state, and doing most of the homeschooling at home. See </span></span><span><span><span><a href="https://hslda.org/post/how-to-apply-for-a-disaster-relief-grant" target="_blank">How to Apply</a></span></span></span><span><span> for details.<br />Those who want to donate to help this funding can see&nbsp; </span></span><span><span><a href="https://hslda.org/donate/disaster-relief" target="_blank">How to Help.</a><br /><br />The Florida Parent Educator Association also has a disaster relief fund. Donors and those in need of assistance can reach out <a href="https://fpea.com/webforms/disaster-relief" target="_blank">here</a></span></span><span><span>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Current homeschooling </strong><br /><br />If you are busy in disaster survival mode or cleanup after the disaster, you could choose to count that work as life skills for your children for the immediate time period. Getting back to homeschooling of some kind as soon as you can may help with the children's mental and emotional well-being but if that can't be done right away, just do what you can. <br /><br />When we were hit by two hurricanes in a row within days, several years ago, my children were traumatized and one of them was so affected that she shook in terror whenever she noticed a breeze. In the end, we found that reading more about hurricanes and how to better prepare for them helped ease their tensions and recover from the disastrous effects.<br /><br />This page on <a href="https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm" target="_blank">hurricanes for kids</a> might be a place to begin.</span></span><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Motivating a child to want to learn]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/motivating-a-child-to-want-to-learn]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/motivating-a-child-to-want-to-learn#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2024 09:58:26 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/motivating-a-child-to-want-to-learn</guid><description><![CDATA[ 	 		 			 				 					 						          					 								 					 						  &nbsp;As a young homeschooled child, one of the things that sparked my interest in math was seeing its power. I watched as my dad daily, at noon, used his black triangular sextant to&nbsp; look at the horizon and then used the measurement on it, along with an old-fashioned slide rule and a fat book of trigonometric tables, to calculate where we were on the globe. Though we were surrounded on all sides by blue water, with no landma [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;"> 	<table class="wsite-multicol-table"> 		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"> 			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"> 				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:26.832460732984%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/published/book-cover.jpg?1712916086" alt="Picture" style="width:143;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>   					 				</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:73.167539267016%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<br />As a young homeschooled child, one of the things that sparked my interest in math was seeing its power. I watched as my dad daily, at noon, used his black triangular sextant to&nbsp; look at the horizon and then used the measurement on it, along with an old-fashioned slide rule and a fat book of trigonometric tables, to calculate where we were on the globe. Though we were surrounded on all sides by blue water, with no landmarks in sight, math enabled him to figure out our position. <strong>That was powerful! And it made me want to learn it</strong>.<br /><br />Perhaps you aren't <br /></div>   					 				</td>			</tr> 		</tbody> 	</table> </div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<br />circumnavigating the globe and using trigonometry in your daily life in that same way, but math is used on a regular basis by adults. It's a useful tool that helps people measure ingredients to bake cookies (or even to make double- or triple-size batches in one large bowl), make sure they have enough money to go on vacation, build shelves or other projects, etc. Figure out what you do (or could do) with math and do it around your child.<br /><br /><strong>Another way to build a child's interest is to do some projects or hands-on activities</strong>. Use building plans. Bake multiple batches of something. Help the child take on a small business and keep records of his expenses and income. Even take a word problem from a math book and act it out (and add as much drama as you can to spice it up). Find board games or card games or fun computer programs to make it seem like fun.<br /><br /><strong>There are trivial ways that may work better than expected</strong>. For example, do math problems with a paint brush and water on the sidewalk. Or with magnets on the refrigerator. Or with the answers written on a tic-tac-toe board. Or suddenly give a treat because of the math. Cheer like a cheerleader when the math is done right. Put stickers on papers. Proudly show the math to relatives and tell them how much he's learning.<br /><br />But another method of getting a child interested in learning more math is to <strong>step back and help him see why adults have been teaching</strong> math to <strong>children for so much of history</strong>. (When I worked at the Field Museum of Natural History's library, the oldest item in the rare book collection was an ancient Egyptian papyrus with math homework on it.) Help him look at different careers and how math is involved in them. Help him understand that even with fancy computer programs, he'll need to have enough understanding of math to recognize if an answer makes no sense. Help him to see that without a knowledge of math, he'll be limiting his options in the future as many positions will require a knowledge of math. And then take it another step and make sure that he is ready for the math. If he's not ready, back up and re-learn the math needed to move on to the next level. Be encouraging, reassuring him that he'll get it eventually if he keeps working at it; let him take a break for a bit if needed, but then find a fun way to reintroduce it.<br /><br />So, <strong>should you give up on math (or some other subject) with a child that doesn't want to learn it?</strong> <strong>No.</strong> Though you might take a break for a few weeks--particularly if he's reached a point of total frustration. Then begin again with some fun method, with work that he can easily handle, cheer a lot, try to find some projects or games to use, let him see how it will be helpful in adult life, etc. If he's capable of learning, I'm convinced he'll eventually get it, but you might need to take time to help him get interested. The time and effort that takes will pay off greatly as his learning will increase so much once he's interested.<br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Have Any Ideas on How to Lessen Regulation of Public Schools?]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/have-any-ideas-on-how-to-lessen-regulation-of-public-schools]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/have-any-ideas-on-how-to-lessen-regulation-of-public-schools#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 22 Jun 2023 21:54:09 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/have-any-ideas-on-how-to-lessen-regulation-of-public-schools</guid><description><![CDATA[&nbsp;The Florida Dept of Education is looking for input from parents and others, including homeschooling parents, on how to reduce regulation of public schools.See the notice below:       	#element-38b7510f-1720-46b4-a16b-845dfb3f133a .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(213,213,213,0.55);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}June 22, 2023Parents and staff,Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed House B [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font color="#5040ae">&nbsp;<span><span>The Florida Dept of Education is looking for input from parents and others, including homeschooling parents, on how to reduce </span></span><span><span><span>regulation</span></span></span><span><span> of public schools.<br /><br />See the notice below: </span></span></font><br></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="799162555575546712"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-38b7510f-1720-46b4-a16b-845dfb3f133a .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(213,213,213,0.55);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-38b7510f-1720-46b4-a16b-845dfb3f133a" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span><span>June 22, 2023</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>Parents and staff,</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed</span></span><span><span><span> <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1/BillText/er/PDF" target="_blank">House Bill 1</a></span></span></span><span><span>.<br /><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1/BillText/er/PDF" target="_blank"><span><font color="#5040ae">https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1/BillText/er/PDF</font></span></a><br />Included in this bill was a requirement that the Florida Department of Education (Department) develop and submit to the Governor and Legislature a set of recommendations to reduce regulation of public schools. The law also requires the Department to consider input from teachers, superintendents, administrators, <strong>home educators</strong>, and other entities.</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>To solicit and collect suggestions, the Department has set up an online survey. The survey will be open until August 15, 2023.</span></span><br /><span><span>If you are interested in submitting a suggestion, please use the </span></span><span><span><span>link provided here</span></span></span><span><span>. </span></span><br /><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FloridaHB1" target="_blank"><span><span><span><font color="#5040ae">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FloridaHB1</font></span></span></span></a><br /><br /><span><span>You can submit as many suggestions as you like. Please try to be as specific as possible when submitting a suggestion.</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>Thank you.<br /></span></span><br></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div class="wsite-spacer" style="height:50px;"></div>  <div class="paragraph">&nbsp;<span><span><font color="#5040ae">This was shared from an email sent out by the Palm Beach County School District, but it applies to all throughout Florida. Feel free to share it with other Floridians who may have suggestions to share.<br /><br />Cheryl Trzasko<br />FLHomeschoolEvaluations.com<br /><br />Also shared to:<br /></font></span></span>https://www.afevaluators.com/post/have-any-ideas-on-how-to-lessen-regulation-of-public-schools<br></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Association of Florida Evaluators]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-association-of-florida-evaluators]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-association-of-florida-evaluators#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:26:03 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Ass'n of FL Evaluators]]></category><category><![CDATA[Evaluations]]></category><category><![CDATA[the evaluator]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/the-association-of-florida-evaluators</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-ab6a031b-7076-4454-b1a8-2eeb39dc6147 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(233,207,118,0.65);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #8d5024;  border-width: 4px;}																																													In July of 2020, I rallied other homeschool organizations to help me fight my own Florida school district which tried to stop anyone from pulling out of public schools at a time when homeschooling made sense for much of the parade.A [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="286529879850041256"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-ab6a031b-7076-4454-b1a8-2eeb39dc6147 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(233,207,118,0.65);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #8d5024;  border-width: 4px;}</style><div id="element-ab6a031b-7076-4454-b1a8-2eeb39dc6147" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:42%; padding:0 15px;">											<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/afe-group-logo-founding-member-2023_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:58%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph">In July of 2020, I rallied other homeschool organizations to help me fight my own Florida school district which tried to stop anyone from pulling out of public schools at a time when homeschooling made sense for much of the parade.<br /><br />After a long discussion with a lawyer from HSLDA who expressed concerns<br /></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="120378496389368696"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-4719a83f-04df-4911-abb3-2397226222d5 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 15px;  background-color: rgba(233,207,118,0.75);  border-style: Solid;  border-color: #8d5024;  border-width: 4px;}</style><div id="element-4719a83f-04df-4911-abb3-2397226222d5" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;">	<table class="wsite-multicol-table">		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody">			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr">				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:31.428571428571%; padding:0 15px;">											<div class="paragraph">about the lack of reliable information for those who were suddenly homeschooling&nbsp; and the dearth of knowledgeable evaluators to help them, I began two new groups on Facebook.<br /></div>									</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:68.571428571429%; padding:0 15px;">											<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/afe-membership-card-professional-founding-member-2023-2024_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /></a><div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div></div></div>									</td>			</tr>		</tbody>	</table></div></div></div><div class="paragraph">One of these groups, Homeschooling Florida Style, is for parents looking for reliable information on homeschooling in Florida. I have worked hard to eliminate or correct any incorrect information put there and to offer information in accordance with Florida law to help newcomers to homeschooling. Today, just about 3 weeks shy of its third anniversary, the group welcomed its <strong>19,000th member</strong>.<br /><br />The other group, FL Homeschool Evaluators, was set up for Florida <strong>homeschool evaluators</strong>. It began on Facebook as a support group for evaluators, to help educate them about Florida law and give them a place to network, share ideas and resources, familiarize themselves with Florida law, help new evaluators learn their trade, exchange tips, and more. This group has grown to over 400 people and has launched themselves as a nonprofit registered on SunBiz under the name Association of Florida Evaluators.<br /><br />On our website at <a href="https://www.afevaluators.com/" target="_blank"><strong>AFEvaluators.com</strong></a>, we share information for evaluators and parents <font size="2">(or other members of the public)</font>. Our members have proven their credentials and knowledge of Florida home education law in order to join the group. We share an Evaluators' List with contact information for member evaluators who are taking on new clients. We also share information there about legal requirements for homeschoolers, evaluation options and requirements, resources, and more. We plan to reach out to Florida school districts and more to share our list with those who need help finding <strong>evaluators</strong>, or professionals who can provide <strong>consultations/choice navigation services</strong> to help parents figure out how to homeschool either as home education or personalized education program services.<br /><br />We are honored to display the emblems of our new group to show that we are part of a professional organization of homeschool evaluators.<br /><br />Cheryl Trzasko<br />President of the Association of Florida Evaluators<br />June 5, 2023<br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Student Learning Plans and the PEP]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/student-learning-plans-and-the-pep]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/student-learning-plans-and-the-pep#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2023 07:54:45 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[dual enrollment]]></category><category><![CDATA[scholarships]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/student-learning-plans-and-the-pep</guid><description><![CDATA[	#element-d3df66a2-fcba-4578-8ff9-7371a547e09c .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}The newly expanded FTC scholarship Student Learning Plans Via the school choice bill that passed a few weeks ago, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship will give government funding to parents that can be used for a new homeschooling option called the Personalized Education Program  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="188734427486684731"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-d3df66a2-fcba-4578-8ff9-7371a547e09c .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-d3df66a2-fcba-4578-8ff9-7371a547e09c" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>The newly expanded FTC scholarship Student Learning Plans</span></span><span><span> Via the school choice bill that passed a few weeks ago, the</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span> Florida Tax Credit Scholarship </span></span><span><span>will give government funding to parents that can be used for a new homeschooling option called the </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Personalized Education Program</span></span><span><span> (or PEP). The scholarship will be open for 20,000 more students this coming school year and 40,000 more the next year, and more the next year. The scholarship will offer serious money that will vary depending on the school district and grade level of the student</span></span><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div id="123002547420384872"><div><style type="text/css">	#element-a2747b65-4176-4b36-ac58-b6ba1acb3394 .content-color-box-wrapper {  padding: 20px;  border-radius: 0px;  background-color: rgba(169,228,248,0.55);  border-style: None;  border-color: #555555;  border-width: 3px;}</style><div id="element-a2747b65-4176-4b36-ac58-b6ba1acb3394" data-platform-element-id="698263678581730663-1.1.0" class="platform-element-contents"><div class="content-color-box-wrapper"><div style="width: 100%"><div></div><div class="paragraph"><span><span>--per figures on previous funding for this scholarship (it wasn't previously open for homeschooling but it isn't a new scholarship), the money will be more than $6000 but could get around $8000.<br /><br />The law regarding this takes effect July 1st, 2023. Per talking to the CEO of AAA </span></span><span><span><span>aaascholarships.org</span></span></span><br /><span><span><font color="#160e83">(one of the two scholarship funding organizations; the other is Step Up for Students </font></span></span><font color="#160e83"><span><span><span>https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/personalized-education-program/</span></span></span></font><span><span><font color="#160e83">), </font><br /><strong>signups have started even though they can't approve anyone until after July 1.</strong><br /><br />Why? Because the scholarship is supposed to give 1st priority to those with an income under 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and a 2nd priority to those with an income under 400% of the FPG. The organizations want families to get applications in place so they can get in line to see who will be approved based on their income even though all the application pieces aren't fully in place yet. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>So parents can start the application process now but won't be able to finalize all the parts of it yet.</span></span><br /><br /><span><span>1. The application process will require proving family income to be given first or second priority.<br /><br />2. The process will include swearing to spend the funds on the student's education and agreeing to have your child be in a PEP if you want to use the funds for homeschooling. </span></span><span><span><span>This</span></span></span><span><span> means that if your child is approved for this funding, </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>you'll have to end your child's current education </span></span><span><span>(withdraw from a school</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span> OR send a Letter of Termination with an evaluation to end home education</span></span><span><span> if currently homeschooling).<br /><br />3. You'll have to file a </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Student Learning Plan</span></span><span><span> and </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>agree to </span></span><span><span>end the public school's school year with</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span> </span></span><span><span>either public school</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span> testing</span></span><span><span> or testing from an approved list on the Florida Dept of Education's site.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>The two scholarship funding organizations will have, based on what I've been told by their leadership, different approaches to setting up a Student Learning Plan. </span></span><span><span> Here's what I know so far about the two options and their Student Learning Plan (and you'd have to pick one or the other organization to apply to):<br /><br />----</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>AAA</span></span><span><span> will use a form based on one that I and my evaluators' support group designed. We tried, as much as we could, to make it keep the freedom that home education programs have.<br /><br />Their </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Student Learning Plan</span></span><span><span> form will first ask the parent to indicate that they understand that taking on this money means that the parent agrees to update their Student Learning Plan as needed, agrees to pay for FLVS Flex, public school, dual enrollment, and other public school programs that are free to home education students, and will submit test scores at the end of the year. (These are all requirements of the law).<br /><font color="#180f87">(Note that parents accepting the scholarship are accepting funding from the state. FLVS classes, dual enrollment, and public school classes/programs are usually paid for by the state for student, but if a student is already funded by the state through a scholarship, the state is not going to fund that student twice.)</font><br /><br />It asks </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>questions about record-keeping</span></span><span><span> such as the format you'll use for keeping a </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Log of Educational Activities</span></span><span><span>. So you could choose from options like keeping a calendar or planner with notes, or a computer program's reports, or lesson plans from a publisher, or keeping a social media account, or.... It will list a variety of options and end with a final option of "other" to allow for any other possibility that wasn't included in the choices.<br /><br />It will ask whether </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>titles of reading materials</span></span><span><span> will be kept in the Log of Educational Activities or in a separate list (or there's an "other" option).<br /><br />It will ask about the sorts of </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>samples of materials used by or created by the student</span></span><span><span> that the parent plans to keep--they could be worksheets, or photos of projects, or screenshots of programs or apps used, or... (and there's an "other" option).<br /><br />It will ask about </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>your specific plan </span></span><span><span>and give a variety of options for doing that. You could just </span></span><span><span>name a curriculum</span></span><span><span>, or </span></span><span><span>name a homeschooling method</span></span><span><span> (classical homeschooling, school-at-home, unschooling, or use a</span></span><span><span> list of educational goals</span></span><span><span>, or indicate that the student with take</span></span><span><span> FLVS or dual enrollment or other classes, </span></span><span><span>or</span></span><span><span> state that you'll be using tutors, </span></span><span><span>... or indicate that you'll use a </span></span><span><span>co-op or other program with a homeschool support group, </span></span><span><span>(and there's an "other" option)).<br /><br />It will ask if you </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>plan to have your student test</span></span><span><span> at a public school or will arrange private testing using one of the tests approved by the FL Dept of Education since testing is required.<br /><br />It will ask the parent to </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>give details</span></span><span><span> (such as naming the curriculum choice or co-op or classes or such) and </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>identify any goods or services needed to address the academic needs of the student</span></span><span><span>. </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>This is legally required as it is where parents will specify what they want to spend the money on</span></span><span><span>.<br /><br />----<br /><br /><font color="#3f3f3f">For both organizations, the </font></span></span><font color="#3f3f3f"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Student Learning Plan is to be editable</span></span></font><span><span><font color="#3f3f3f"> by the parent at any time. So if a curriculum or such isn't working for the child or if the parent wants to use the money for something else or wants to change the testing choice or so on, the plan can be changed. This is how the parent sets what the money can be spent on. </font><br /><br />---- </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Step Up for Students </span></span><span><span>(SUFS)</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span> </span></span><span><span>has a different approach to setting up the </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>Student Learning Plan</span></span><span><span>.<br /><br />SUFS will have (at least for this first year) </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>a two-phase process of setting up a Student Learning Plan</span></span><span><span>.<br /><br />First, the parent will </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>choose up to 4 educational priorities</span></span><span><span> (and are given a list that will include all subject areas and other choices) or </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>will choose up to 4 social emotional learning priorities</span></span><span><span> (including items such as responsibility or integrity).<br /><br />In phase two, parents will be shown </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold"><span>sets of suggested links</span></span><span><span> based on the goals and grade level of the student (and perhaps other informion?) that suggest items that Step Up for Students believes might help the student with the learning goals chosen. The parent can buy things with scholarship funds using those links, though there should be a route for choosing other curricula or other materials or resources to pay for with scholarship funding. </span></span>&nbsp;<br /><br />---<br /><br />Cheryl Trzasko<br />FLHomeschoolEvaluations.com<br /></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Online Curricula...]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-curricula]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-curricula#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 23 Apr 2023 15:44:52 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[curriculum]]></category><category><![CDATA[math]]></category><category><![CDATA[Reading]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/blog/online-curricula</guid><description><![CDATA[ There is no "best" curriculum, even when it comes to online curriculum, because children are not all the same--what works well for one student may be a disaster for another. This list includes a variety of options that, based on our experience, are popular with homeschool families. (Being included on our list does not imply our endorsement of any.) Note that new options are popping up all the time but some are scams so vet them carefully before spending money on them.&nbsp;       These are list [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:135px;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/uploads/1/8/4/3/18435789/published/online-learning-anonymous.jpg?1682265208" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;">There is no "best" curriculum, even when it comes to online curriculum, because children are not all the same--what works well for one student may be a disaster for another. This list includes a variety of options that, based on our experience, are popular with homeschool families. <font size="2">(Being included on our list does not imply our endorsement of any.)</font> <font size="2" color="#a82e2e">Note that new options are popping up all the time but some are scams so vet them carefully before spending money on them.&nbsp;</font><br /></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph">These are listed in no particular order:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a>&nbsp; A non-religious subscription online option that's popular with many.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">Khan Academy</a> A non-religious free online option (funded by Bill Gates and other wealthy and everyday donors) that some use as their main curriculum and others use as a tutoring option.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">Miacademy</a> An online subscription option. It has separate options with a program called <a href="https://clever-dragons.com/#/" target="_blank">Clever Dragons</a> that is geared specifically for boys, another called <a href="https://always-icecream.com" target="_blank">Always Icecream</a> for girls, and another called <a href="https://parents.miaprep.com" target="_blank">Mia Prep</a> that's specifically for high school students.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.abeka.com/Homeschool/Products/AbekaAcademy/" target="_blank">ABeka Academy Online</a> A popular Christian curriculum that's been around for decades.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.ixl.com/" target="_blank">IXL</a>&nbsp; An online nonreligious program known for its diagnostic testing to help determine skills and levels that the student needs work on.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.aop.com/" target="_blank">Monarch Online</a> A religious homeschool curriculum that has passed the test of time as it's been around a long time and has an online version.<br /><br /><a href="https://allinonehomeschool.com/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool</a> A religious curriculum available for free online. Workbooks can be purchased for those who don't want to do all online, but they aren't required. There's also a high school version: <a href="https://allinonehighschool.com/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy All-in-One High School</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.oakmeadow.com/" target="_blank">Oak Meadow Online</a> A secular homeschool curriculum that has passed the test of time as it's been around for over 100 years and now has an online version.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.powerhomeschool.org/" target="_blank">Acellus Power Homeschool</a> An online option that's been very popular with homeschoolers though it has recently changed so that it is less flexible and doesn't allow students to skip lessons they know well.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.education.com/" target="_blank">Education.com</a> An online option for students in preK through 8th grade that gives access to a number of free resources and access to more come with a low cost subscription.<br /><br /><a href="https://study.com/" target="_blank">Study.com</a> An online subscription option for high school students.<br /><br />There are a number of options that do not cover all subject areas such as these for math:<br /><a href="https://www.ctcmath.com/" target="_blank">CTC Math</a>&nbsp; <br /><a href="https://mrdmath.com/" target="_blank">Mr. D Math</a><br /><a href="https://mathusee.com/" target="_blank">Math-U-See</a><br /><a href="https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks</a><br /><a href="https://nicolethemathlady.com/" target="_blank">Nicole the Math Lady</a><br /><a href="https://mathseeds.com/" target="_blank">Math Seeds</a><br /><br />For teaching reading and other beginning skills:<br /><a href="https://readingeggs.com/bing/ga4-br/?msclkid=0017373e5429148ab150537bc95e5228" target="_blank">Reading Eggs</a><br /><a href="https://www.abcya.com/" target="_blank">ABCya</a><br /><a href="https://www.abcmouse.com/abc/" target="_blank">ABC Mouse</a><br /><a href="https://www.starfall.com/h/" target="_blank">StarFall</a><br /><br />----<br />For those wanting public school options:<br /><br /><a href="https://cpalms.org/" target="_blank">CPalms</a> A website with educational materials and links to Florida public school standards and test practice which can be used for occasional practice on a topic or as a curriculum but leaves the parent in total control of lessons done and deadlines and such.<br /><br />Florida Virtual School (FLVS) A free (supported with Florida tax dollars) for Florida students (though students using state scholarships will have to pay since they are already getting tax dollars).&nbsp;<br /><a href="https://flvs.net/" target="_blank">FLVS Flex</a> Home education students tend to use the FLVS Flex version which allows them to sign up any time of year for from 1 to 6 classes that the parent chooses and work on them at times and schedule that parent/student choose as long as the student keeps up with a pacing chart.<br /><br /><a href="https://flvs.net/" target="_blank">FLVS Fulltime</a>, various county (aka school district) versions of FLVS, <a href="https://www.k12.com/online-public-schools.html" target="_blank">K12</a>, and <a href="https://learn.connectionsacademy.com/florida-combo/?utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_network=s&amp;utm_campaign=Florida%2BBNG%2BBrandTier1%2BUS%2BEXACT&amp;utm_term=connections%20academy&amp;utm_matchtype=e&amp;utm_device=c&amp;utm_creative=&amp;utm_adposition=&amp;utm_content=Connections%20Academy%2BEXACT&amp;&amp;msclkid=ebbd26b9b72d16fa6ade42fc2d1742ca&amp;utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Florida%2BBNG%2BBrandTier1%2BUS%2BEXACT&amp;utm_term=connections%20academy&amp;utm_content=Connections%20Academy%2BEXACT&amp;gclid=ebbd26b9b72d16fa6ade42fc2d1742ca&amp;gclsrc=3p.ds" target="_blank">Connections Academy</a>, are all fulltime public school online options. Those using them are legally considered public school students and must follow the public school requirements, take classes as assigned by the school on the days and times assigned, etc. They can be signed up for before a semester starts and not in the middle of a semester. These are not considered homeschooling since the parent does not direct the education even though it is done at home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>