When to register your child

WHEN TO REGISTER A 6 YEAR OLD TO MEET THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW IN FLORIDA

By Krista Sallop of the Florida HomeEducation Law list. Back To Getting Started

Below are examples on when to register a child in a homeschooling option (private school or with the state) in order to meet the compulsory attendance laws of Florida.

EXAMPLE 1:

The child's birthdate is April 17, 1998.

She is 5 on April 17, 2003. She was not 6 between August* 2002 and February 1, 2003. NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANYWHERE

She is 6 on April 17, 2004. She will not be 6 between August* 2003 and February 1, 2004. NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANYWHERE.

She is 6 when the school year starts in August 2004. SHE MUST BE REGISTERED SOMEWHERE in August* of 2004 or she would be considered truant.

WHY: Even though she turns 6 as of April 2004, she missed the February 1st cut-off date for compulsory education for that year. She does not have to be counted "anywhere" for that "school year" regardless if the parent intends on registering her in a public school, private school or the state's home education program. This child could register in the state's home ed program via the county on her birthday, but she does NOT have to.

A simple example to understand this is: The parent decides to delay any school entry until the child is of compulsory school age (6 before February 1st of that school year) for personal reasons. She hasn't considered homeschooling, she just decides she's not sending
her kid anywhere until she legally has to. She doesn't have to put her kid in public school on April 17th, 2004 because she has already missed the February 1st cut-off for that year. Her daughter is not considered truant until the beginning of the next public school year. (She can then decide between public, private or the home education program.)

EXAMPLE 2:

The child's birthdate is January 20, 1998.

She is 5 on January 20, 2003. She was not 6 between August* 2002 and February 1, 2003. NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANYWHERE

She is 6 on January 20, 2004. She will be 6 between August* 2003 and February 1, 2004. SHE MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE HOME EDUCATION PROGRAM OR A PRIVATE SCHOOL*** BY JANUARY 20, 2004** or SHE MUST BE REGISTERED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL BY AUGUST* 2003.

WHY: The statute says that she must attend the "entire school term" if she is 6 anytime between August and Feb 1. In order to not be considered truant from public school, she would have to be registered in public school in August. However, if the parent is going to enroll in the home education or a private school with a homeschooling option the child doesn't have to start the school year until her birthday.

EXAMPLE 3:

The child's birthdate is November 5, 1997.

She is 5 on November 5, 2002. She was not 6 between August* 2002 and February 1, 2003. NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANYWHERE

She is 6 on November 5, 2003. She will be 6 between August* 2003 and February 1, 2004. SHE MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE HOME EDUCATION PROGRAM OR A RIVATE SCHOOL*** BY NOVEMBER 5, 2004** or SHE MUST BE REGISTERED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL BY AUGUST 2003.

WHY: The statute says that she must attend the "entire school term" if she is 6 anytime between August and Feb 1. In order to not be considered truant from public school, she would have to be registered in public school in August. However, if the parent is going to enroll in the home education or a private school with a homeschooling option the child doesn't have to start the school year until her birthday.

* I am using "August" as the beginning of the public school year. Some Counties may have different public school start dates.

**Many counties will send back a "letter of intent " for a 5 year old and ask you to resubmit when the child is 6 years old. They may do this even if you child will be 6 years old before February 1st. Also note that if you send a letter of intent and it is accepted, you WILL be responsible for meeting the home ed statutes for that child.

*** Private schools have the option to start their school year at anytime. Please check with your private school to make sure of their requirements.

The statute: 1003.21 School attendance.-- (1)(a)1. All children whohave attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years, except
as otherwise provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%
20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mo\
de=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=CH1003/Sec21.HTM

Compiled by Krista of the Florida Home Education Law list:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FL-HomeEducation-Law/ with very special thanks to Denny of The Homeschool Cooperative Educating in Central Florida, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HCECF/ for her editorial help.