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Attendance records and reports.- (1) The attendance of all public K-12 school students shall be checked each school day in the manner prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education and recorded in the teacher’s register or by some approved system of recording attendance. Students may be counted in attendance only if they are actually present at school or are away from school on a school day and are engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the school-approved instructional program for the student. (2) All officials, teachers, and other employees in public, parochial, religious, denominational, and private K-12 schools, including private tutors, shall keep all records and shall prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be required by law and by rules of the State Board of Education and district school boards. Such records shall include a register of enrollment and attendance and all persons described above shall make these reports therefrom as may be required by the State Board of Education. The enrollment register shall show the absence or attendance of each student enrolled for each school day of the year in a manner prescribed by the State Board of Education. The register shall be open for the inspection by the designated school representative or the district school superintendent of the district in which the school is located. Violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided by law. This section shall not apply to home education programs provided in s. 1002.41. #Attendance #AttendanceRecordsAndReports #FloridaHomeEducationLaws

1. If the parent of a child who has been identified as exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance enrolls the child in a home education program pursuant to chapter 1002, the district school superintendent shall provide the parent a copy of s. 1002.41 and the accountability requirements of this paragraph. The district school superintendent shall also refer the parent to a home education review committee composed of the district contact for home education programs and at least two home educators selected by the parent from a district list of all home educators who have conducted a home education program for at least 3 years and who have indicated a willingness to serve on the committee. The home education review committee shall review the portfolio of the student, as defined by s. 1002.41, every 30 days during the district’s regular school terms until the committee is satisfied that the home education program is in compliance with s. 1002.41(1)(d). The first portfolio review must occur within the first 30 calendar days of the establishment of the program. The provisions of subparagraph 2. do not apply once the committee determines the home education program is in compliance with s. 1002.41(1)(d). 2. If the parent fails to provide a portfolio to the committee, the committee shall notify the district school superintendent. The district school superintendent shall then terminate the home education program and require the parent to enroll the child in an attendance option that meets the definition of “regular school attendance” under s. 1003.01(16)(a), (b), (c), or (e), within 3 days. Upon termination of a home education program pursuant to this subparagraph, the parent shall not be eligible to reenroll the child in a home education program for 180 calendar days. Failure of a parent to enroll the child in an attendance option as required by this subparagraph after termination of the home education program pursuant to this subparagraph shall constitute noncompliance with the compulsory attendance requirements of s. 1003.21 and may result in criminal prosecution under s. 1003.27(2). Nothing contained herein shall restrict the ability of the district school superintendent, or the ability of his or her designee, to review the portfolio pursuant to s. 1002.41(1)(e). 1003.26 – Enforcement of School Attendance #100326f #Attendance #FloridaHomeEducationLaws #TruancyLaw

1006.15 – The Craig Dickinson Act - Student standards for participation in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular student activities; regulation. (1) This section may be cited as the “Craig Dickinson Act.” (2) Interscholastic extracurricular student activities are an important complement to the academic curriculum. Participation in a comprehensive extracurricular and academic program contributes to student development of the social and intellectual skills necessary to become a well-rounded adult. As used in this section, the term “extracurricular” means any school-authorized or education-related activity occurring during or outside the regular instructional school day. (3)(a) As used in this section and s. 1006.20, the term “eligible to participate” includes, but is not limited to, a student participating in tryouts, off-season conditioning, summer workouts, preseason conditioning, in-season practice, or contests. The term does not mean that a student must be placed on any specific team for interscholastic or intrascholastic extracurricular activities. (c) An individual home education student is eligible to participate at the public school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance area policies or which the student could choose to attend pursuant to s. 1002.31, or may develop an agreement to participate at a private school, in the interscholastic extracurricular activities of that school, provided the following conditions are met: 1. The home education student must meet the requirements of the home education program pursuant to s. 1002.41. 2. During the period of participation at a school, the home education student must demonstrate educational progress as required in paragraph (b) in all subjects taken in the home education program by a method of evaluation agreed upon by the parent and the school principal which may include: review of the student’s work by a certified teacher chosen by the parent; grades earned through correspondence; grades earned in courses taken at a Florida College System institution, university, or trade school; standardized test scores above the 35th percentile; or any other method designated in s. 1002.41. 3. The home education student must meet the same residency requirements as other students in the school at which he or she participates. 4. The home education student must meet the same standards of acceptance, behavior, and performance as required of other students in extracurricular activities. 5. The student must register with the school his or her intent to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities as a representative of the school before participation. A home education student must be able to participate in curricular activities if that is a requirement for an extracurricular activity. 6. A student who transfers from a home education program to a public school before or during the first grading period of the school year is academically eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities during the first grading period provided the student has a successful evaluation from the previous school year, pursuant to subparagraph 2. 7. Any public school or private school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility for participation in interscholastic extracurricular activities is ineligible to participate in such activities as a home education student until the student has successfully completed one grading period in home education pursuant to subparagraph 2. to become eligible to participate as a home education student. FHSAA By-laws FHSAA forms and documents #100615 #ExtracurricularActivities #FloridaHomeEducationLaws #TheCraigDickinsonAct

(2) NONENROLLMENT AND NONATTENDANCE CASES.— (c) Each designee of the governing body of each private school and each parent whose child is enrolled in a home education program or personalized education program may provide the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with the legal name, sex, date of birth, and social security number of each minor student under his or her jurisdiction who fails to satisfy relevant attendance requirements and who fails to otherwise satisfy the requirements of s. 322.091. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may not issue a driver license or learner’s driver license to, and shall suspend any previously issued driver license or learner’s driver license of, any such minor student pursuant to s. 322.091. #1003272b #Nonenrollment #Nonattendance #Attendance #FloridaHomeEducationLaws

Each Florida College System institution board of trustees is authorized to adopt rules governing admissions of students subject to this section and rules of the State Board of Education. These rules shall include the following: (2) Admission to associate degree programs is subject to minimum standards adopted by the State Board of Education and shall require: (a) A standard high school diploma; a State of Florida high school equivalency diploma awarded under s. 1003.435(2); a high school equivalency diploma issued by another state which is recognized as equivalent by State Board of Education rule and is based on an assessment recognized by the United States Department of Education; previously demonstrated competency in college credit postsecondary coursework; or, in the case of a student who is home educated, a signed affidavit submitted by the student’s parent or legal guardian attesting that the student has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of s. 1002.41. Students who are enrolled in a dual enrollment or early admission program pursuant to s. 1007.271 are exempt from this requirement. #SelectCategory #1007263 #affidavit #FloridaHomeEducationLaws #CommunityCollegeAdmissions

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide articulated acceleration mechanisms for students who are in home education programs, as defined in s. 1002.01, consistent with the educational opportunities available to public and private secondary school students. Home education students may participate in dual enrollment, career dual enrollment, early admission, and credit by examination. Credit earned by home education students through dual enrollment shall apply toward the completion of a home education program that meets the requirements of s. 1002.41. 1007.27 - Articulated acceleration mechanisms.— #1007274 #ArticulatedAcceleratedMechanisms #FloridaHomeEducationLaws #HighSchoolHigherEducation

(1) The dual enrollment program is the enrollment of an eligible secondary student or home education student in a postsecondary course creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree. A student who is enrolled in postsecondary instruction that is not creditable toward a high school diploma may not be classified as a dual enrollment student. The dual enrollment section for home educated students is in s1007.271 (13) F.S. 13)(a) The dual enrollment program for a home education student, including, but not limited to, students with disabilities, consists of the enrollment of an eligible home education secondary student in a postsecondary course creditable toward an associate degree, a career certificate, or a baccalaureate degree. To participate in the dual enrollment program, an eligible home education secondary student must: 1. Provide proof of enrollment in a home education program pursuant to s. 1002.41. 2. Be responsible for his or her own transportation unless provided for in the articulation agreement. 3. Sign a home education articulation agreement pursuant to paragraph (b). (b) Each public postsecondary institution eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(i) must enter into a home education articulation agreement with each home education student seeking enrollment in a dual enrollment course and the student’s parent. By August 1 of each year, the eligible postsecondary institution shall complete and submit the home education articulation agreement to the Department of Education. The home education articulation agreement must include, at a minimum: 1. A delineation of courses and programs available to dually enrolled home education students. Courses and programs may be added, revised, or deleted at any time by the postsecondary institution. Any course or program limitations may not exceed the limitations for other dually enrolled students. 2. The initial and continued eligibility requirements for home education student participation, not to exceed those required of other dually enrolled students. A high school grade point average may not be required for home education students who demonstrate achievement of college-level communication and computation skills as provided under s. 1008.30(1) or (2); however, home education student eligibility requirements for continued enrollment in dual enrollment courses must include the maintenance of the minimum postsecondary grade point average established by the postsecondary institution. 3. The student’s responsibilities for providing his or her own transportation. 4. A copy of the statement on transfer guarantees developed by the Department of Education under subsection (15). s.1007.271 – Dual Enrollment Dual Enrollment FAQ at the Department of Education #1007271 #DualEnrollment #FloridaHomeEducationLaws #SelectCategory

UNIFORM TRANSFER OF HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS.—Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, if a student transfers to a Florida public high school from out of country, out of state, a private school, or a home education program and the student’s transcript shows a credit in Algebra I, the student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma unless the student earned a comparative score, passed a statewide assessment in Algebra I administered by the transferring entity, or passed the statewide mathematics assessment the transferring entity uses to satisfy the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 20 U.S.C. ss. 6301 et seq. If a student’s transcript shows a credit in high school reading or English Language Arts II or III, in order to earn a standard high school diploma, the student must take and pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 ELA assessment, or earn a concordant score. If a transfer student’s transcript shows a final course grade and course credit in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I, or United States History, the transferring course final grade and credit shall be honored without the student taking the requisite statewide, standardized EOC assessment and without the assessment results constituting 30 percent of the student’s final course grade. The Uniform Transfer of High School Credit Law   s.1003.4282(6) Florida Administrative Code (Word doc) Private School and Home Education Student Transfer of Credits Frequently Asked Questions For assistance with implementation of the Florida Administrative Code: Department of Education Technical Assistance Paper (TAP) SACS CASI Policy on Validation of Transfer Credits for Florida This official policy was sent out from SACS, the accrediting association for public schools to all District Superintendents in Florida. HEF worked on this policy for almost two years which makes transferring credit to public schools in Florida easy for home education students. Armed with the Transfer of Credit Rule and the Memorandum from SACS CASI a home education parent should never have a problem transferring credits from a home education program to a public high school, if that decision is in the best interest of the child. This gives parents the power to decide. #Transferofcreditrule #code #administration #TAP #guidelines

Home Education Program (1)  (1) A “home education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1002.41, 1003.01(16), and 1003.21(1). Personalized Education Program (PEP) (2) A “personalized education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 11003.01(16) and 1003.21(1) while registered with an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization pursuant to s. 1002.395. A personalized education student shall be provided the same flexibility and opportunities as provided in s. 1002.41(3)-(12). Private School (3)  A “private school” is a nonpublic school defined as an individual, association, copartnership, or corporation, or department, division, or section of such organizations, that designates itself as an educational center that includes kindergarten or a higher grade or as an elementary, secondary, business, technical, or trade school below college level or any organization that provides instructional services that meet the intent of s. 1003.01(16) or that gives preemployment or supplementary training in technology or in fields of trade or industry or that offers academic, literary, or career training below college level, or any combination of the above, including an institution that performs the functions of the above schools through correspondence or extension, except those licensed under the provisions of chapter 1005. A private school may be a parochial, religious, denominational, for-profit, or nonprofit school. This definition does not include home education programs conducted in accordance with s. 1002.41. 1003.26 – Enforcement of School Attendance

1007.25 – General education courses; common prerequisites; other degree requirements. s.1007.25 (8) – Foreign Language Requirement 1007.262 – Foreign language competence; equivalence determinations. 1008.30, all required coursework shall count toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree. Board of Governor’s Regulation for all Universities BOG Regulations BOG Regulation 6.002 – Admission of Undergraduate First-Time-in-College, Degree-Seeking Freshmen BOG Regulation 6.004 – Admission of Undergraduate, Degree-Seeking Transfer Students

Hello, everyone! There's been a lot of discussion about HB1403/SB7048, but it's not the only bill we're tracking. We thought it might be helpful for you all to see which bills we're currently tracking (and why), with a status update on each. I've also included a link to the official staff analysis of each bill, in case you want a bit more info. (If you'd like to read the bill itself, you can look each bill up on the Senate website here: https://www.flsenate.gov/. They have a search bar at the top of the page which will allow you to search House bills and Senate bills by number--then just click on the "Bill Text" tab once you're on the page for that specific bill, and you'll be able to access a PDF of the actual bill language.) If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments! _____________________ HB 1 - Online Protections for Minors Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1/Analyses/2024h00001.fp.PDF Summary of What This Bill Includes: Requires certain types of social media platforms to use a third-party age verification method before permitting users to access their platforms. Requires those social media platforms to prohibit minors under 16 from creating user accounts. Existing accounts for users under age 16 would be terminated, and the social media platforms would be required to delete all personal information related to those accounts unless otherwise required by law to maintain the personal information. Minors who are 16 or 17 years old would be allowed to create accounts, but the social media platforms would be required to provide them certain disclosures and information. The bill does not apply to platforms whose main function is e-mail, messaging, texts, streaming or entertainment, online shopping, or gaming. Would allow parents to take action against social media platforms if the platform allowed the minors to be exposed to harmful content. Why We’re Watching It: There were initially concerns about how the ID requirement in this bill could impact social media users of all ages (including parents participating in online groups, etc.), but some of those concerns have now been addressed in amendments to the bill. It's the Speaker’s special project, and we always follow those to gain an understanding of what's going on. HB1 raised some concerns about parental rights, and we’re continuing to watch this. Current Status of the Bill: The bill passed the House as amended by the Senate. It is now “enrolled” and on its way to the Governor’s office. HB 49 - Employment and Curfew of Minors Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/49/Analyses/h0049e.COM.PDF Summary of What This Bill Includes: Removes restrictions on the number of work hours per day/week for minors aged 16 and 17. Revises the times of day in which minors 16 and 17 years-of-age may work. Changes the limitations on consecutive work days and consecutive work hours for minors 16 or 17 years old, and requires these minors to be granted breaks and meal periods the same as those 18 years and older. (But maintains stricter limits on consecutive work days and timing of breaks for minors age 15 or younger.) Requires certain exceptions to county or municipal juvenile curfews. Provides an exemption for home education and virtual school students. Why We’re Watching It: It provides an exemption for home education and virtual school students to get a waiver on the hours they could work. This could impact homeschooling minors involved in career and technical skills training, on-the-job training, and their ability to have more flexibility working during school hours. Current Status of the Bill: Passed the House; has been referred to the Senate Rules (to determine whether it will be put on the Senate calendar or not). The Rules Committee meets on 2-26-2024. HB 1403/SB7048 - School Choice Analysis: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h1403e.EEC.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=1403&Session=2024 Summary of What This Bill Includes: Allows for the children of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces to be eligible for scholarships if the parent has received permanent change of station orders to Florida or whose home of record or state of residence, at the time of renewal, is Florida. Increases the growth rate of the FES-UA scholarship program cap from 3 percent to 5 percent, while also including an automatic increase of an additional 1 percent based on demand. Establishes firm deadlines for Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFO) and parents related to the application and renewal of the FTC, PEP, FES-UA, and FES-EO scholarship programs: Renewals for FTC-PEP, FES-EO, and FES-UA will take place between February 1 and April 30, with parents required to confirm that they will be renewing or declining the scholarship May 31. New applications for FES-EO and FES-UA will take place between February 1 and November 15, with parents required to confirm that the scholarship will be accepted or declined by December 15. First quarterly payment for FES-EO/FES-UA renewal scholarships would be made by August 1st. First quarterly payment for new FES-EO/FES-UA scholarships would be made by September 1st. Updates the quarterly reporting requirements for SFOs to include information on applications received, application review timeframes, reimbursements received, and reimbursement processing timeframes. Requires a SFO to establish a process to collect input and feedback from parents, private schools, and providers before implementing substantial modifications or enhancements to the reimbursement process. Requires a SFO to make payment for tuition and fees for full-time enrollment within seven business days after approval by the parent and school. Requires the Center for Students with Unique Abilities to develop appropriate purchasing guidelines for recipients of the FES-UA scholarship. Restricts “equipment used as instructional materials” to the 4 core subjects for FES-EO and FTC (PEP & EO) programs.  (Equipment used as instructional materials can only be purchased for language arts and reading, mathematics, social studies, and science.) Clarifies transition services for the FES-UA. Expands the authorized uses for FES-UA scholarship funds to include prekindergarten programs offered by eligible private schools which participate in the state’s scholarship programs and offers education to students in any grades K-12. Repeals the scholarship funding portion of the Hope Scholarship Program, but maintains requirements for parental notification of the opportunity to enroll at another public school and scholarship eligibility to attend an eligible private school under the FES and FTC scholarship programs for students subjected to a specified incident, such as bullying or harassment, and shifts the tax credits to the FTC scholarship program. Clarifies that public school students receiving the New Worlds Scholarship remain eligible for transportation scholarships under the FES and FTC scholarship programs. Except as expressly provided in the bill, the bill has an effective date of July 1, 2024. Why We’re Watching It: These changes directly affect families using the UA, PEP, and EO scholarships.  (Note: Some of the changes in this bill are positive—it is not all negative.) The restriction on instructional materials is a major concern for the PEP families in our community, but is also a battle worth uniting on and fighting for all homeschooling families, since we want to protect freedom of choice for all parents who direct their children’s education. Every family’s needs are different, and we want to preserve as many options as possible for parents while also protecting the existing rights and freedoms that Brenda and others have worked so hard to achieve for homeschoolers in Florida over the past 40 years. Current Status: SB7048 (companion bill to HB1403) has been placed on the Calendar for a 2nd reading in the Senate. (This means it has passed through all the committees in the House and Senate, and is ready for the Senate Floor, however, it won’t be heard on 2nd reading until it’s put on the Special Order calendar.) SB460 - Career and Technical Education Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/460/Analyses/2024s00460.pre.fp.PDF Summary of What This Bill Includes: Authorizes minors aged 16 or 17 to work in construction if certain qualifications and safety considerations are met (as outlined in the bill). Provides a uniform standard for counties and municipalities to recognize a journeyworker. Authorizes district school boards to satisfy the career fair requirement through consulting with specified groups to determine free or cost-effective methods to provide other career and industry networking opportunities. Authorizes a student who earns credit for one year of related technical instruction for a registered apprenticeship or preapprenticeship program to use such credit to satisfy high school graduation credit requirements. Authorizes an exemption from the career education basic skills assessment to certain students with a private school diploma or home education affidavit. Why We’re Watching It: This bill could impact opportunities for career & technical students. Could affect eligibility for Bright Futures scholarships. Current Status: HB917 (the companion bill to SB460) was added to the Special Order calendar in the House. It is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor on Tuesday.

HB1403/SB7048 is still in the Senate. Its next stop is set as the Appropriations committee. UPDATE: The meeting for the Appropriations committee has just been scheduled. February 15, at noon EST! NEW UPDATE: The meeting for the Appropriations committee has been scheduled for February 15, at noon EST--but these bills do not show on the agenda. We are watching to see what happens. In the meantime, please contact your Senators as noted below! In the meantime... If you do not want to see restrictions added to the ability to purchase equipment for electives through PEP, then please reach out to YOUR legislators (particularly your Senators) and ask them to amend this bill! You can find your Senator here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find Be sure to keep emails short and to the point (bullet points are best!), but include your PERSONAL story and why this matters for you and your children. You can also add one or two logical arguments/concerns, if you want. If you want ideas, here are some of our primary talking points/concerns about the language in this bill: It is a sweeping limitation which would prevent legitimate educational expenses. As worded, it would restrict equipment used as instructional materials for ALL electives, which would mean parents could no longer purchase equipment for art, music, PE, career & technical skills, or any other electives. Equipment as instructional materials are not generally needed in reading, mathematics, or social studies. The language in the bill essentially has the effect of only allowing equipment to be purchased for science. This scholarship already does not even allow parents to buy a computer, which is needed for online classes or courses which they are allowed to purchase. Now things will be limited even further, severely restricting parents' freedoms to use the funds to best meet their child's needs. Many parents have taken this scholarship because they could not provide the electives for their child on one income. Without the equipment, a child can get the guitar lessons online, the parent can order a curriculum or hire a tutor, but the child has no way to learn without the instrument. If you aren't sure what to say, here is a basic template you can start with: *** Thank you so much for the PEP program. This has benefited my family [insert how]. By cutting the equipment down to four core subjects, this will take away my children's ability to [insert how this will impact your children]. I am also very concerned that [insert one or two BRIEF talking points]. Please amend this bill to remove the restriction on equipment used as instructional materials for PEP. Thank you for your time. *** Feel free to vary the wording and rearrange it so that it reads authentic to you. (It's actually best if not all the emails are worded exactly the same way so that it's clear they are sincere and genuine.) Just be sure to: (1) Keep it brief! (2) PERSONALIZE your message to explain why this matters to your family. The personal stories matter. They need to see the stories of the REAL kids this is impacting. If you have any questions, ask them below. Please contact your Senators ASAP!