Portfolio Requirements for Florida Homeschoolers

Florida homeschooling parents are required per Statute 1002.41 to maintain a portfolio of records and materials used by their children.  This may be done in any manner parents choose, but it must consist of the following:

1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction, designating by title any reading materials used; and
2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child.

This is all the law requires. We recommend parents keep...

• a calendar of events (logging fieldtrips and educational activities),
• a course of study (noting any textbooks and workbooks used),
• a book log (listing any books your child has read), and
• samples of your child's best work (including photos of any projects).

Many homeschoolers keep their child's work in a 3-ring binder, but how you keep your child's portfolio and what you include is entirely your own decision. Just make sure everything is organized in a logical order.  If you choose to have your child evaluated by a certified teacher (as opposed to undergoing a standardized test), you will want your evaluator to be able to easily see the progress your child has made.

Parents are required to preserve the portfolio for 2 years and must make it available for inspection by the district school superintendent (or agent) upon 15 days’ written notice. However, inspection is not required, and should you be asked to make your portfolio available for inspection, it is only to confirm that  you are complying with Florida statutes, not to evaluate its contents or your child.  To read about different record keeping methods see Record Keeping for Homeschoolers.