We know this can be a fun (and scary) time. Please feel free to use this information to help you get started.
There is a LOT of info on this page so take your time and remember you can meet me and ask any questions at the PPEA monthly support group meeting, the 2nd Tuesday of every month (except March and December).
For the 2010-11 school year, we currently have one opportunity for our free orientation. Orientation will be at the Pinellas Park Library.
On August 21st we will have general homeschool orientation from 1:30 to 2:30 with Q&A from 2:30-3.
From 3-4:30 pm we will have orientation for homeschooling your high schooler. We will be covering transcripts, scholarships and dual enrollment.
You can sign up for one or both sessions on the website calendar. This will make sure that we have materials for you. High Schoolers are welcome to attend with their parents. It is not recommended that younger children attend because learning about record-keeping will be "veeerrrryyy boring" for them. Also, the library does not permit food or drinks in the meeting room, so please don't bring them with you.
Dot is the Coordinator of Partnership Schools and our liaison for the homeschool community and the Pinellas County Schools. You may find answers to many of your Orientation questions in this packet. Also included is the "Notice of Intent to Establish a Home Education Program" form, which you may print out to send to Dot's office.Schools
Need to contact Dot Clark?
Pinellas County Schools ATTN: Home Education P.O. Box 2942 Largo, FL 33779-2942 (727)588-6209
This is a set of PDF files that will be helpful for you to print out and have available during the orientation:
www.fpea.com/forms/Letter_of_intent.pdf (Some counties ask for information which you are not legally required to give. FPEA sample letter of intent includes only what is requiered by law.)
F.A.Q.'S?
How do I start my homeschool?
Once you have decided to homeschool you have three options...
Register with the county.You need to send them a letter of intent (available on this website) within 30 days of starting your homeschool.Each year on the anniversary of the date when you first registered as a homeschooler you need to send in your evaluation. Accepted evaluations include:
an evaluation letter by certified teacher stating that the student has shown progress
standardized test scores (ie. SAT )
the results of any evaluation that you and the school district agree upon in advance.(see www.fpea.com for details).
2.You may register with a non-traditional private school.They will take care of notifying the county that you are registered with them.You will use the method of evaluation that they require, and be subject to their rules.According to the state/county your children will be considered to be private schooled.If you have a child who is interested in sports or other extra-curricular activities, check to see if you will still qualify for those before you register with a non-traditional private school.For example, a child would not be able to be enrolled in a non-traditional private school and play football for a public high school.You would also have to apply for the Bright Futures scholarship as a private schooled student.
3. Register with a virtual public school. Some examples include--Connections, FLVA and K12. If you choose this option, your children will be considered public school students. You will need to use the curriculum the school chooses, and may have to keep track of the hours spent. Education occurs at the computer. Your children may be required to take the FCAT. Since your child will be considered a public school student by the county and state, you will not have access to any of the benefits of homeschooling.
When do I need to register with the county?
You need to register for the school year in which your child turns 6 (the law is more complicated than this, but let's make it easy!) So if your child turns 6 in January 2010, you would file your letter of intent this fall. www.fpea.com/forms/Letter_of_intent.pdf (Some counties ask for information which you are not legally required to give. FPEA sample letter of intent includes only what is requiered by law.)
However, if you are homeschooling a kindergartener who will be attending a "traditional" school for 1st grade, you will want to file a letter of intent for kindergarten (most schools want evidence that a 1st grader has attended kindergarten).
You will need to notify the county when you are no longer homeschooling your student . Remember that while the law says that compulsory education is 6-16; a 16-18 year old who has not graduated, and is not attending school CANNOT have a driver's license.
What records must I keep?
·A log of what was taught—this needs to be kept up as the work is done (contemporaneously)
·Sample of the child’s work. At least one page for each subject from the beginning, middle and end of each year (that’s at least 3 pages per subject).You can use photographs for events or items that were too big or too fragile to keep.
·List of books used
·Remember that this portfolio is your child’s “permanent record”.
What do I need to do about evaluations or testing?
It’s VERY IMPORTANT to remember to submit your evaluation ON OR BEFORE the anniversary of the date that you submitted your letter of intent (when you informed the county that you were homeschooling) each year.If you don’t submit your evaluations the county does have the right to remove your permission to homeschool…essentially they close your homeschool.The county will mail out a list of approved evaluators at the beginning of each calendar year. You can also check the PPEA website for information on evaluators.
An evaluationis a review of your child’s work and progress for the year.The evaluator will meet with your child and ask them about the work they did.They will also review your portfolio (it helps to see what your child has been working on).You will need to bring BOTH your portfolio AND your child to an evaluation.
Testersusually administer a standardized test to your child, either in a classroom setting or one on one.SAT and ACT scores would meet the testing requirement, if your child has taken those tests.You will receive the actual test scores if you choose this method of testing.The FCAT is not recommendedas a testing choice.Although it is free, remember that the public schools have been doing test review all year and you probably have not done the same review.
Where do I get my homeschool teaching materials and curriculum?
Anywhere you want to!When you submit your letter of intent to PinellasCounty, you have essentially created your own school system.That means that you are responsible for providing all of your own materials.To help save money, buy the school supplies you think you’ll need for the year during the back to school sales and use the library for books.
So, the first thing you want to do is to mark the anniversary date on your calendar.Remember that evaluators are all busy at the same time, so be sure to call for your appointment several months before you need it.I usually schedule our spring appointment in January.You can submit your evaluation at any time.Some homeschool families find it easier to have their children evaluated in February (and submit it then) even though their anniversary date is in August.
If you have family issues and are unable to complete your testing by the due date, simply call the homeschool office for Pinellas county schools (Dot Clark’s office) and notify them of the reason for the delay and when they can expect your evaluation.They will usually work with you in an emergency situation.
More details on starting your homeschool can be found by consulting
