Recordkeeping and the portfolio for Florida home education
Under s. 1002.41(1)(d), F.S., a parent running a home education program maintains a portfolio of records and materials. This page covers what the statute says the portfolio consists of, who decides its content, how long it is kept, and when it is made available. It is not legal advice.
Confirm live rules with your school district, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), or the statute. Scholarship families confirm records rules with their Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO).
Video explainer
At a glance
Two visuals for the same written guide: what the law says goes in the portfolio, and what a parent keeps and shows on notice.
What the portfolio consists of
Section 1002.41(1)(d), F.S., says the parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials. The statute says the portfolio must consist of two things:
- A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used (s. 1002.41(1)(d)1., F.S.).
- Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student (s. 1002.41(1)(d)2., F.S.).
“Contemporaneously” is the statute’s word: the log is made at the time of the instruction.
Tools for Education is an independent information hub. We are not FLDOE, not a school district, and not an SFO. This page is not legal advice. Confirm live rules with your school district, FLDOE, or the statute.
Content, keeping it, and showing it
Section 1002.41(1)(e), F.S., sets three rules for the parent:
- The parent determines the content of the portfolio.
- The parent preserves it for 2 years. The paragraph says “2 years” and gives no start date, so this page does not state one. Confirm the details with your school district.
- The parent makes it available for inspection, if requested, by the district school superintendent or the superintendent’s agent, upon 15 days’ written notice. The paragraph says “written notice” and gives no more detail about it. Confirm the details with your school district.
The same paragraph adds that nothing in the section requires the district school superintendent to inspect the portfolio. Inspection happens only if it is requested.
Looking for the annual evaluation? That is a separate duty. See Florida homeschool annual evaluations.
What the statute does not list
Paragraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e) are short. Each item below is an absence in their text. “Not listed” here describes the statute’s wording; it does not mean something is forbidden.
- A format or medium. The statute says the parent determines the content; it names no format.
- An hours log. The statute names a log of educational activities, not an hours log.
- Grades or report cards. The portfolio’s listed parts are the activity log and the work samples.
- Attendance forms. These are not listed in (1)(d).
- An annual filing of the portfolio. The portfolio is made available on written request. Paragraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e) set no annual filing of it.
An optional organizing tip
Optional, not required by law: a parent may organize the log and samples in whatever way suits the family. One idea is to keep the log and samples together so they are easy to find if you are ever asked.
Using a scholarship account?
The portfolio above is a district home education record under s. 1002.41, F.S. It is not a scholarship record. PEP is a scholarship account administered by an SFO, and it is different from district home education. Families using a scholarship account follow their SFO’s handbook for receipts and records. See Scholarship receipts and record keeping and District Home Education vs. PEP.
Related guides on this hub
Filing, evaluation, receipts, and path-comparison details stay on those pages. This page links to them instead of repeating them:
- Florida Home Education Notice of Intent — filing the notice that starts a home education program. T14 is the record kept after the program exists.
- Florida homeschool annual evaluations — the separate annual evaluation duty. T14 does not cover the evaluation options.
- Scholarship receipts and record keeping — scholarship reimbursement records. Not part of the home education portfolio.
- District Home Education vs. PEP — the distinction between the two paths.
FAQ
What does the Florida home education portfolio consist of?
A log of educational activities made contemporaneously with the instruction, which designates by title any reading materials used, and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student (s. 1002.41(1)(d), F.S.).
Who decides what goes in it?
The parent determines the content of the portfolio (s. 1002.41(1)(e), F.S.).
How long do I keep it?
The statute says the parent preserves the portfolio for 2 years (s. 1002.41(1)(e), F.S.). It gives no start date, so confirm the details with your school district.
Do I send the portfolio to the district every year?
Paragraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e) set no annual filing of the portfolio. It is made available for inspection, if requested, upon 15 days’ written notice. The annual evaluation is a separate duty; see the annual evaluations guide.
Does the superintendent have to inspect it?
No. Section 1002.41(1)(e), F.S., says nothing in the section requires the district school superintendent to inspect the portfolio.
Does the statute require a specific format, an hours log, grades, or attendance forms?
Those are not listed in paragraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e). “Not listed” describes the statute’s wording; it does not mean they are forbidden. Confirm live rules with your school district.
Is this the same as scholarship receipts and records?
No. The home education portfolio is a district home education record under s. 1002.41, F.S. Scholarship families follow their SFO’s handbook; see Scholarship receipts and record keeping.
Where to verify
Confirm current details with these sources, and with your school district, before you rely on them:
