Q: Does HLA provide any services for Florida residents?
A: Yes! HomeLife Academy NOW provides FULL legal covering to FLORIDA. Testing/Evaluations are optional! HomeLife Academy is Recognized by the state of Florida as a private school and is listed with the Florida Department of Education.
Florida Laws:
According to research done by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, there are three options for Homeschooling in FLORIDA. If you are a FL resident and you choose to register with HLA you will be covered by the provisions of Option 2. Click here for details.
The Florida office is based near Tallahassee, giving HLA a physical presence in FL. This is good news for Florida residents who prefer not to register with the state. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has endorsed this as Option 2. Click here to read FL state laws for umbrella schools.
If you choose to homeschool through HLA under Option 2 the requirements must be met for registration and record keeping. Testing and Evaluations are optional. Visit FAQ for details. HLA is happy to help homeschoolers in FL! If you have questions please email us from the Contact Us page, thank you.
Florida Events:
PHECCS - Pensacola Home Education Conference and Curriculum Sale
FPEA
HERI
CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENTS
Florida FAQ:
Q: Does being a member of a HomeLife Academy take the place of Florida's record keeping and testing requirements for homeschoolers?
A: Yes. It is not necessary for you to register with the Local education agency if you meet the requirements to be an HLA teacher. The FL state laws for umbrella schools state "More than one homeschool can operate as a private school. A child who attends a private, parochial, religious, or denominational school is exempt for compulsory attendance." - Fla. Stat. Ann. 1002.01(2). Since your child will be attending a private school he/she is exempt from FL state compulsory attendance laws. You and your student will be responsible for meeting all the same requirements that other students of HomeLife Academy are required to meet.
Will my student be required to take standardized tests?
Once you withdraw from the state of FL home education program (see below) and are accepted by HomeLife Academy you will be exempt from state requirements for testing. Standardized tests are "Only required for parents complying with the homeschool law in Option one." - HSLDA legal Analysis.
What does the term "600 school" mean?
Many private schools serving homeschoolers call themselves "600" or "umbrella" schools. The fact is that they are non-public schools just the same as every other non-public school in Florida. The "600" refers to the statute numbers that some school choose to incorporate under. Incorporatation is not required to to be a non-public school. FPEA has a good description of the various charters.
Will this cost more than the normal fees?
In order to maintain a physical presence in Tallahasse, FL (PO Box, staff, postage, etc.), there will be an additional fee of just $20 per family per year. This fee will be automatically added in the last step of online registration. Fees will be as follows: Annual Registration Fees: $70 for 1st student, $20 for each additional, $120 max. Includes Instant Online Grade Reporting. (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Cash, Check, or Money Order all excepted) ($50 extra for seniors is also required.)
If I am registered with FL how do I withdraw and register only with HLA?
When you enroll with HLA, you do NOT need to register with the Home Education program though your county. (Registering with the county as a home education student AND registering with a private school is not statutory. If your county requests it, please follow up with them concerning the law.)
However, if you are currently registered with the state home education program (via your local school board), you must send them a notice of termination. NOTE: This is required of any child registered with the state home education program regardless if you choose to enroll the child in a public school, a private school, or transfer your home education program to another county. Therefore, this is the same process of transferring from the state home education program to any private school.
When you send your letter of withdraw, the only thing required by law is the child's name, address and the parents signature on the letter stating you are "ending your state home education program". You can tell them where you plan to enroll, or if you are moving out of state, but it is not required by law.
Include the following HomeLife Academy address in your correspondence.
HomeLife Academy
Florida Address:
P.O. Box 276
Palm Bay, FL 32337
888-560-0774
What is the difference in a "home education program" and a "private school" ?
HLA is simply a private school. If you want to conduct a home education program #1 applies. However, we are defined by #2.
1002.01 Definitions.--
(1) A "home education program" means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent in order to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1002.41, 1003.01(4), and 1003.21(1).
(2) 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(13) 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.
Read more at the Florida State Senate site.
Does HLA submit any forms to the state?
Yes. We are required by law to submit an annual data base form to the FL Dept. of Education.
1002.42 Private schools.--
(1) ANNUAL PRIVATE SCHOOL SURVEY.--
a. The Department of Education shall organize, maintain, and annually update a database of educational institutions within the state coming within the provisions of this section. There shall be included in the database of each institution the name, address, and telephone number of the institution, the type of institution, the names of administrative officers, the enrollment by grade or special group (e.g., career education and exceptional child education), the number of graduates, the number of instructional and administrative personnel, the number of days the school is in session, and such data as may be needed to meet the provisions of this section and s. 1003.23(2).
b. For the purpose of organizing, maintaining, and updating this database, each private school shall annually execute and file a database survey form on a date designated by the Department of Education which shall include a notarized statement ascertaining that the owner of the private school has complied with the provisions of paragraph (c). For the purpose of this section, "owner" means any individual who is the chief administrative officer of a private school.
Read more at the Florida State Senate site.
Don't see your question answered here? Write to get it added!
FLORIDA SUPPORT GROUPS
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/FloridaSupport.htm
Non-Public Schools - General Requirements for Non-Public Schools
http://www.firn.edu/doe/choice/generalr.htm
Legislative intent not to regulate, control, approve or accredit non-public educational institutions, churches, their ministries, religious instruction, freedoms or rites, is explicit. The Department of Education does not have jurisdiction and there are very few references to private schools in Florida law. The owners of private elementary and secondary schools in Florida are solely responsible for all aspects of their educational programs, including:
- certification, qualification and training of teachers and administrators,
- content and comprehensiveness of the curriculum,
- duties, qualifications and salaries of faculty and staff, tuition, class size, fee scales, pupil expenditures and refund policies,
- student assessment, academic credits, grades and graduation or promotion requirements,
- student regulation, dismissal and expulsion policies,
- student records content, retention, transfer and release.
Also, some highly internal matters subject to the wide variability of individual school philosophies include dress code, discipline, punishment and behavior norms, extracurricular activities, religious participation, parental responsibilities and parental involvement in school activities. Participation in some federal programs is available to students whose non-public schools have met various requirements in addition to establishing compliance with criteria of the Office for Civil Rights. Aside from food and nutrition programs, private school students may participate in federal education assistance programs as a component of the public school district program. Questions regarding specific programs or civil rights compliance should be referred to the federal programs coordinator in the local public school district.
While there is no state law requiring private schools to be accredited, most postsecondary training programs, colleges and prospective employers require that the applicant's high school diploma and transcript be from an accredited school. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional accrediting agency for the twelve southeastern states and the only accrediting agency for Florida's public and state university system schools. Many private schools in Florida are also SACS accredited. But, for private schools, accreditation is voluntary and is achieved by the school's adopting and maintaining the academic standards prescribed by an independent accrediting association, usually affiliated with the school's religion or educational philosophy. There are many accrediting organizations for private schools and many private schools that are not accredited at all.
There is no state regulation of private school accrediting agencies. Consequently, there are many, with widely variant quality standards and requirements. Questions about the accreditation status of a specific school should be directed to the school staff or its designated accrediting agency. Requests for information about the acceptance of credits from a specific private school for postsecondary education admittance should be directed to the local community college or university admissions office.
Most counties and municipalities have established land use plans and zoning laws. All school buildings, public and private, are routinely inspected by representatives from the local county health department for compliance with health and safety regulations. For those licensed as a business delivering private education services, local commerce regulations apply.
Florida Statutes applicable to non-public schools.
Sections of the Florida Administrative Code applicable to non-public schools are as follows:
6A-1.09512 Equivalent minimum school term
Non-Public schools are also mentioned in laws and codes related to school bus inspection, health and safety, voluntary participation in certain programs and incorporation
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Q: Does HLA provide any services for Pennsylvania residents?
A: Yes! HomeLife Academy serves PENNSYLVANIA Homeschoolers with Diplomas and Transcripts!
Pennsylvania Laws:
According to research done by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, there are three options for Homeschooling in Pennsylvania. However, Attorney Dee Black has this to say regarding Option 3.
"The Pennsylvania Dept. of Ed. does not recognize our option 3. This approach has not been tested in court, so the fact that the Dept. of Ed. does not recognize it is not the final determination. As far as I know, all schools from which this option is derived are located in PA. The law is not clear regarding whether the school has to be located in the state."
If you are a PA resident it is up to you. You may choose to register with HLA and still fulfill the requirements of Option I, as defined by HSLDA. Or you may enroll only with HLA and be covered by Option III. However, HLA does not guarantee Option 3 will hold up in a court of law for those parents enrolled with HLA. However, we do provide official transcripts and diplomas, which have been accepted my many colleges and universities.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
If you choose to homeschool through HLA the same requirements must be met for registration, testing, and record keeping. Visit FAQ for details. In addition to the regular requirements, PA residents must teach some additional courses (e.g. "History of the United States and Pennsylvania" III.1.a.b). Click here http://hslda.org/laws/analysis/PApdf and scroll down to Option III for list of required courses.
Pennsylvania Events:
Here is a look at a couple events.
SouthEastern Area Christian Homeschoolers of Pa. welcomes you. http://www.searchofpa.org/
CHAP Homeschool Convention, Harrisburg, PA http://www.chapboard.org
Pennsylvania Homeschool Organizations:
Statewide
- Aleithia Learning Center
-
68 Bertolet School Road
Spring City, PA 19475
Richard G. Patton 610-286-6361
E-mail: ALCCenter@aol.com
Association, On-line Courses, Materials
- Buxmont Christian Educational Institute, Inc.
-
146 W. Broad Street
Telford, PA 18969
Terry L. Johns 215-723-7226
Association, Conference, Curriculum Fair, Diplomas, Evaluators, Information, Materials, Newsletters, Support Group
- Catholic Homeschoolers of Pennsylvania
-
101 So. College Street
Myerstown, PA 17067
Larry and Ellen Kramer 717-866-5425
E-mail: cathhmschpa@ihs2000.com
Fax: 717-866-9383
WEB: http://www.catholichomeschoolpa.org
Association, Curriculum Fair, E-mail, Evaluators, Information, Newsletter
- Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP)
-
P.O. Box 115
Mount Joy, PA 17552-0115
(717) 661-2428
E-mail: chap@chapboard.org
WEB: http://www.chapboard.org
Advocacy, Statewide Convention, E-mail, Information, Newsletter, WEB Page
- Erie County Homeschoolers Diploma Association
-
9129 State Road
Cranesville, PA 16410
E-mail: echsda@velocity.net
- Pennsylvania Home Education Network
-
285 Allegheny St
Meadville, PA 16335
Kathy Terleski 412/561-5288
E-mail: PANetwk@aol.com
Association, E-mail, Evaluators, Information, Newsletter, Support Group
- Pennsylvania Homeschool Connection
-
650 Company Farm Rd.
Aspers, PA 17304
Wendy Bush 717-528-8850
Norma Jean Hohman 717-528-8124
E-mail: connect@cun.net
WEB: http://www.homeschoolheadlines.com
Fax: 717-528-8124
Advocacy, Association, E-mail, Evaluators, Information, Newsletters, Support Group,
WEB Page
- Pennsylvania Homeschoolers
-
RR2 Box 117
Kittanning PA 16201-9311
Howard and Susan Richman 724-783-6512
E-mail: richmans@pahomeschoolers.com
WEB: http://www.pahomeschoolers.com
Fax: 724-783-6512
Achievement Testing, E-mail, Evaluators, Materials, Newsletter, On-line courses (Advanced Placement), WEB Page
- Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency
-
RD 2, Box 117
Kittanning, PA 16201-9311
Dr. Howard B. Richman 724-783-6512
E-mail: PHAA@pahomeschoolers.com
WEB: http://www.pahomeschoolers.com
Fax: 724-783-6512
Association, Conference (High Schools at Home), Diplomas, E-mail, Evaluators, Materials, Newsletter, WEB Page
- Susquehanna Valley Homeschool Diploma Programs, Inc.,
-
484 Pleasant View Road
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Margaret T. Matthews, President 717-566-3573
Sandra Elliott 717-582-7527
Association, Conferences, Diplomas, Evaluators
- Mason-Dixon Homeschoolers
-
13624 Scott Road
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Mary Hudzinski 717-762-3357
Kim Travis 717-375-2662
E-mail: blufroghollow@pa.net
WEB: http://www.mdhsa.pa.net
Association, Diplomas, Evaluators, Information, Newsletters, Support
National
- Alternative Education Resource Organization
-
417 Roslyn Rd
Roslyn Heights, NY 11577
Jerry Mintz 516-621-2195
800-769-4171
E-mail: Jerryaero@aol.com
WEB: http://www.educationrevolution.org
Fax: 516-625-3257
Association, E-mail, Evaluators, Information, Materials, WEB Page
- Curriculum Services
-
26801 Pine Ave
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Kathleen L. Sprafka
877-702-1419
E-mail: info@curriculumservices.com
WEB: http://www.curriculumservices.com
Fax: 941-992-6473
E-mail, Materials
- ECS Issue Site - Homeschooling
-
WEB: http://www.ecs.org
National
National Center for Home Education
PO Box 3000
Purcellville, VA 20134
540/338-7600
E-mail: nationalcenter@hslda.org
WEB: http://www.hslda.org
Fax: 540-338-9333
Advocacy, Association, E-mail, Information, Newsletter, WEB Page
- Homeschool Legal Defense Association
-
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, VA 20134
Cora Prather 540-338-5600
Darren Jones, Legal Aide
E-mail: mailroom@HSLDA.org
WEB: http://www.HSLDA.org
Fax: 540-338-2733
Advocacy, Association, E-mail, Information, Newsletters, WEB Page
- National CHallenged Home-schoolers Associated Network
-
5383 Alpine Road, SE
Olalla, WA 98539
Tim Bushnell 253-857-4257
E-mail: NATHANEWS@aol.com
WEB: http://www.nathhan.com
Fax: 253-857-7764
Association, E-mail, Information, Materials, Newsletters, Support Group, WEB page
- National Home Education Research Institute
-
12221 Van Brady Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-7924
William A. Lloyd 301-372-2889
Brian D. Ray 503-364-1490
E-mail: mail@nheri.org
WEB: http://www.nheri.org
Fax: 301-372-0086
Information, WEB page
- National School Is Dead, Learn in Freedom!
-
Karl M. Bunday
E-mail: webmaster@learninfreedom.org
WEB: http://www.learninfreedom.org
E-mail, Information, WEB Page
Delaware County
- Delaware County Homeschool Association
-
1356 Powell Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015-1929
Pam Shryock 610-872-6931
E-mail: pshryock@cnonline.com
Fax: 610-872-6931
Association, E-Mail, Evaluators, Newsletter, Support Group
Franklin County
- Franklin County United Homeschool Association
-
1853 Dawn Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Mary Ellen Moore 717-267-3768
Annette Martin 717-263-3878
E-mail: me2moore@epix.net
Association, E-mail
Fulton County
- Christian Home Educators Team
-
HCR 81, Box 58
Needmore, PA 17238
Norma Jean Hohman 717-294-6215
Ruthann Golden 717-294-3118
E-mail: hohman@nb.net
Advocacy, Association, E-mail, Evaluators, Information, Support Group
Regional – Allegheny (Pts) and Westmoreland Counties
- The McKeesport Area Homeschoolers
-
404 Owens Avenue
Liberty Borough, PA 16930
Barbara Page 412-461-6788
WEB: http://www.cpec-pa.org/mah/
E-mail: pageclan@msn.com
Association, E-mail, WEB page
Regional – Carbon, Lehigh, Schuylkill, Parts of Monroe Counties
- Schuylkill, Carbon, Upper Lehigh Parent-Teachers SCULPT
-
RD2, Box 121-27
New Ringgold, PA 17960
Marie and Joseph Courtney 717-386-4224
Advocacy (Information), Association, Information, Newsletter, Support Group
Regional – Central and Eastern PA
- Home School Resource Center HSRC
-
1425 E. Chocolate Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033
Debra Bell or staff 717-533-1669
E-mail: hsrc@hsrc.com
WEB: http://www.hsrc.com
Fax: 717-5330413
Achievement Testing, Advocacy (sports), Conference, Curriculum Fair, Information, Materials
Regional - Monroe, Northampton, Pike and surrounding counties
- Northeast Pennsylvania Homeschoolers NEPA
-
PO Box 884
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Judy or Paul Van Hook 717-476-9321
E-mail: nepahomeschoolers@yahoo.com
Curriculum Fair, E-mail, Evaluators, Information,
Regional - York- County and surrounding areas
- York Homeschool Association YHSA
-
981 E. Canal Road
Dover, PA 17315-2717
Julie Inch 717-252-0580
Esther Senft 717-292-7699
E-mail: YHSA@juno.com
WEB: http://www.geocities.com/yhsa_inc/
Association, Curriculum Fair (March), Information, Materials, Newsletter, Support Group and Web Page
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Q: Does HLA offer any services for Virginia residents?
A: HomeLife Academy is working to extend FULL covering to VIRGINIA Homeschoolers!
Virginia Laws:
According to research done by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, there are four options for Homeschooling in VIRGINIA. We are actively looking for an administrator of VA, someone who would be willing to help us incorporate in VA as a private school and maintain records. That way, VA residents could choose to register with HLA and be covered by the provisions of Option 4. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
NOTE: Until we can incorporate in VA it is still necessary for you to abide by the provisions of Option I,
OVERVIEW: http://hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=VA
ANALYSIS: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/VA.pdf
If you choose to homeschool through HLA under Option I, however, you my use the "description of curriculum" you provide to us to help satisfy the requirements. The same requirements must be met for registration, testing, and record keeping.
HLA is happy to help homeschoolers in VA!
Virginia Events:
HEAV's events page
VHEA’s Conference & Curriculum Fair 2004
VA Homeschool Events Calendar
Virginia Homeschool Organizations:
- Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)
-
1900 Byrd Avenue, Suite 201, Richmond, Virginia 23230
Phone: 804-288-1608
E-mail: info@heav.org
Web: http://www.heav.org/index1.html
- The Virginia Home Education Association (VHEA)
-
VHEA’s Web site provides the full text of the homeschooling and related statutes, and other documents and articles to assist homeschoolers in meeting the legal requirements and understanding the Virginia homeschooling statutes.
PO Box 5131, Charlottesville, VA 22905
Phone: 866-513-6173
Web: http://www.vhea.org/
Virginia FAQ:
Q: We are interested in making a change. Is HLA compatible with Alpha Omega's online academy?
A: Sure, you can use Alpha Omega (AO) as your curriculum and use us as your school. As far as record keeping, you would simply record the grades from AO on our grade reporting side of things.
If you register with us, you are welcome to use whatever books work best. We recommend flexibility when choosing a standardized approach like A Beka, Alpha Omega, or Bob Jones so that your student(s) do not feel like they are still in school. We also advise teachers to not hesitate to teach from real life whenever possible, letting the spontaneous teachable moments lead you to the books. We feel like that gets to the Heart of Learning.
Please read the THREE REASONS WE LET YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN BOOKS at our resources page.
Q: Do we have to administer standardized tests if we are registered with HLA and not with the state of VA?
A: Yes. Until HLA can incorporate in VA, testing is NOT optional. VA Homeschoolers must meet the requirements of Option I. However, once incorporated, registration with HLA will only obligate you to meet our requirements and not those of the state of VA. HLA's Board of Directors has set a policy of optional testing for TN, FL, and PA. Click here for details on optional testing
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Q: Does HLA offer any services to Illinois residents?
A: HomeLife Academy is proud to extend FULL covering to ILLINOIS Homeschoolers!
Illinois Laws:
According to research done by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, there is an alternative statute for Homeschooling in Illinois. If you are a Illinois resident and you choose to register with HLA you will be covered by the provisions of of this alternative statute. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
If you choose to homeschool through HLA the same requirements must be met for registration, testing, and record keeping.
Illinois FAQ:
Q: We are interested in making a change under the new option for Illinois homeschoolers. Is HLA compatible with Alpha Omega's online academy?
Sure, you can use Alpha Omega (AO) as your curriculum and use us as your school. By enrolling in HLA you will be able to satisfy the compulsory attendance laws of Illinois and not have to register with the state there.
As far as record keeping, you would simply record the grades from AO on our grade reporting side of things. SEE GRADING FAQ
If you register with us, you are welcome to use whatever books work best. We recommend flexibility when choosing a standardized approach like A Beka, Alpha Omega, or Bob Jones so that your student(s) do not feel like they are still in school. We also advise teachers to not hesitate to teach from real life whenever possible, letting the spontaneous teachable moments lead you to the books. We feel like that gets to the Heart of Learning.
Please read the THREE REASONS WE LET YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN BOOKS at our resources page.
Q: Do we have to administer standardized tests if we are registered with HLA and not with the state of Illinois?
A: No. Testing is optional in Illinois. Registration with HLA only obligates you to meet our requirements and not those of the state of Illinois. HLA's Board of Directors has set a policy of optional testing. Click here for details on optional testing
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