- Low stress evaluations
- For any Florida school district
- Unschool friendly
- Special needs friendly
FAQ
Do I have to send you all my records?
No, we want to see some of your log of educational activities with titles of reading materials and samples of work--a few of each from the beginning of your year and a few from the end are usually sufficient to show educational progress.
What if I don't send enough records?
We'll ask for more before proceeding if needed. We're here to help and will walk you through the process if needed.
What if my child didn't finish the curriculum?
Schools never finish theirs either; it's not a problem as long as the child's been learning on a regular basis and you have some records of that learning.
What will you ask my child?
Our evaluations aren't tests; we simply discuss the progress shown in the records--as required by Florida law.
What is the standard for passing a portfolio review evaluation?
Florida law requires evidence of educational progress commensurate with ability. Educational progress could be shown by finishing 2/3 or more of a curriculum (Schools almost never finish theirs so they can't require us to finish ours.), or less if supplemented with a lot of materials or activities outside the main curriculum. Or by earning passing grades in a curriculum that provides grades. Or by showing that the student is working on more advanced materials or has more advanced skills than at the beginning of the year. Or by showing that the student has been regularly learning in a variety of subject areas.
If your child is regularly learning and you've kept records of that learning, passing the evaluation should not be a worry. What if I didn't keep a log of educational activities?
Most people have something that will count--a calendar with notes, table of contents pages marked to show parts done, publisher's lesson plans marked to show what was done, reports from apps or online programs, a blog, etc.
Talk to us. We'll help you figure it out. Can I share an online album or private Facebook, Instagram or other page for the portfolio?
Certainly! Those are great record-keeping options.
What are your curriculum and/or portfolio requirements?
You may use any materials or methods or organization style that works for you. We don't add additional requirements to the law and have dealt with many, many styles of record-keeping and many methods of homeschooling. We have evaluated students who used standard curriculum, a variety of websites, a hodge podge of materials, parent-made materials, and more including those who were unschooled.
Do you need my district's form?
No, we have forms we've successfully used for districts across Florida since 2003. Florida law prohibits districts from requiring specific forms. We prefer not to use district forms for several reasons. Most district forms ask for information that is not required by Florida law. Giving districts too much information sometimes leads to trouble later on. Using district forms can unintentionally lead district officials to believe that they are in control and can add additional requirements; using other forms is a small, simple method of reminding district officials that Florida law, not district policies, govern home education in Florida.
If a district gives you any trouble, let us know; we've helped others with officials who were unfamiliar with our home education laws. Help I'm late! What could happen?
If you don't turn in an annual evaluation, the district can remove your child from their home education roster and start their procedures for truancy investigations which could lead to fines or jail time.
If you turn in the evaluation, then all will be well. Our suggestions from years of experience: Don't panic. Consider sending the district an email informing them that you are in contact with an evaluator about an evaluation and will get the documentation to them as soon as you can--this usually buys some time and can relieve worries. If you've missed your deadline out of worry about the evaluation process, just get started with sending some information and we can talk you through what else we need--which is likely much less than you imagine. Our forms can help you get started. Use our form and note that a rush is needed or call at 561.798.3842 or 561.537.6938. Note that we are homeschooling parents and may not answer a request immediately, but we usually answer within 24 hours Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. We do take off from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon but are happy to help the rest of the week. How much do you charge?
Our fees begin at $38 for the first student plus $10 more for each additional child evaluated together.
Live video call evaluations cost slightly more. See our pages on the various options (email evaluations, live video call evaluations, or preregistration for future evaluations) for the latest information. I'm just getting started homeschooling. How can I be sure I'm keeping proper records?
One option is to use our preregistration option to begin the evaluation process months in advance. This option will allow you to send records and get feedback now. It will kickstart the evaluation process to make it faster and easier closer to your evaluation deadline.
Can you evaluate my child who has severe special needs?
We have evaluated children with a wide range of special needs including those with a wide range of learning disabilities, diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, etc. and even those who are non-verbal. Florida law asks for evidence of educational progress commensurate with ability; so it is okay if a child is working below grade level as long as the child is making educational progress commensurate with ability.
What if my child is below grade level? Or behind?
Florida law does not require parents to specify a grade level for their home education students and prohibits school districts from assigning one unless the students are participating in district programs. This means that the school district cannot require grade level standards of home education students. They cannot require specific curriculum nor standards of home education students nor private school students. (If their methods and standards were perfect, there wouldn't have been so many homeschooled students even before a pandemic hit.)
It doesn't matter if a child begins below grade level, as long as the child is making educational progress. Likewise, there is no such thing as "behind" when homeschooling. Students learn at their pace. (It may help to know that much research as well as anecdotes from teachers and professors and data on college courses completed and scholarships earned show that, in the long run, homeschoolers tend to do better than schooled students because they are allowed to learn at their own pace, with materials that can be customized to fit their needs and utilize their interests, and are more likely to be engaged in their own learning with parents who will make them redo work that's not up to their standards rather than just move along without understanding.) How many titles of reading materials must I have? What if I don't have the authors listed?
Florida law doesn't specify a minimum number of titles of reading materials. But the word "titles" is plural and so there should be at least two titles listed.
Florida law only requires the titles. Authors' names are not required. Nor number of pages. Nor any other information. Titles can be of any reading materials: books, textbooks, workbooks, magazines, articles, stories, websites, graphic novels, apps, newspapers, and so on. |
Reviews
"I have found FL Homeschool Evaluations to be very efficient and accommodating. Very knowledgeable in Florida law regarding home education. Non-judgemental and encouraging, allowing parents to maintain control of their child's education. Fairly priced, prompt, good communication. Quick turn around on completed forms. We have been well pleased with our experience" Michelle L.
"We have had Cheryl evaluate our two daughters last year, and I'm getting ready to repeat the process before the end of this month. Wow! I cannot say enough about this lady and her knowledge regarding Florida legislature on the subject of homeschooling portfolios! If you are stressing this part of homeschooling - don't. Cheryl is fantastic about answering all your questions, suggestions regarding what to turn in, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It really is a straightforward process. Wouldn't dream of hiring anyone else for the job." Iwona A. "Thank you Cheryl for always making evaluations a stress free process. My children are very relaxed speaking with her. No stress no pressure. It is a joy dealing with her each year. Thanks again for another positive experience." Caren V. "Very knowledgeable and always available to help!" Anne D. See more reviews on our Facebook page. 
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