In Florida, a parent running a home education program must notify the district school superintendent within 30 days of starting, keep a portfolio (a log of educational activities made at the time of instruction that names reading materials by title, plus samples of the student’s work), preserve it for two years, and file an annual educational evaluation with the superintendent’s office using one of the methods in section 1002.41.
What the official sources say
- Notice of intent
The parent notifies the district school superintendent of the county of residence within 30 days of establishing the home education program. The notice includes the full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all children in the program.
Source: Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026) - Termination notice
The parent files a written notice of termination with the district school superintendent within 30 days after the home education program ends.
Source: Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026) - Portfolio contents
The portfolio contains a log of educational activities made contemporaneously with the instruction that designates by title any reading materials used, and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.
Source: Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026) - Preservation and inspection
The parent preserves the portfolio for 2 years and makes it available for inspection by the district school superintendent, if requested, upon 15 days’ written notice.
Source: Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026) - Annual evaluation
The parent selects the evaluation method from the options in the statute (including a Florida-certified teacher’s portfolio review, a nationally normed test, a state assessment, an evaluation by a licensed psychologist, or another valid tool agreed with the superintendent) and files the results annually with the superintendent’s office.
Source: Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026)
Records worth keeping in Florida
The list below mixes what the sources above require with habits that make the year easier to show later. Only the facts above are legal requirements.
- A copy of the notice of intent and any district acknowledgment.
- The contemporaneous activity log, with reading materials named by title.
- Representative work samples across the year.
- Each annual evaluation as filed, kept with that year’s portfolio.
Where TeachKeep fits
TeachKeep is an iPhone app for recording completed learning. It keeps each child’s records separate by school year.
- Make the activity log as you go: each record has a date, subject, and title.
- Name the book or resource on the record so reading materials are identified by title.
- Attach photos, worksheets, and PDFs as work samples on the record they belong to.
- Filter one child’s school year to prepare for a teacher’s portfolio review.
Keep the Florida record as the year happens.
Log what was done, by child and subject, in under a minute.
Official sources and last check
- Florida Statutes, section 1002.41 - Home education programs (2026)
- Florida Department of Education - Home Education
Retrieved and last checked October 18, 2026. The date records when the linked material was read. It does not guarantee that no rule changed afterward.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to keep a Florida homeschool portfolio?
Section 1002.41 says the parent preserves the portfolio for 2 years and makes it available for inspection upon 15 days’ written notice from the superintendent.
Is the Florida portfolio the same as the annual evaluation?
No. The portfolio is the ongoing record. The annual evaluation is a separate step, and a certified teacher’s portfolio review is only one of the allowed methods.
When is the Florida notice of intent due?
Within 30 days of establishing the home education program, sent to the district school superintendent of the county where the parent lives.