Home education on the rise in Florida, experts shares challenges and considerations

CBS12 News | By Stefany Valderrama | September 24, 2024

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — More parents in Florida are opting for home education.

In the annual report of the 2022-2023 school year, the Florida Department of Education reported home education jumped 58 percent over the last five years. During that school year, 154,289 students participated in home education programs statewide.

That’s up more than 2,000 students from the previous school year.

Just under 15,000 students were enrolled in home education programs, in the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast school districts last school year. Palm Beach County ranked 5th in the state in terms of enrollment with roughly 8,600 students.

CBS12 News spoke to a Pediatric Psychologist from the Cleveland Clinic who finds the growing popularity of home education surprising.

Dr. Kate Eshleman tells CBS12 News many families she works with didn’t take well to virtual at-home education when it was forced upon families during the pandemic. She says there are a lot of reasons parents may be considering home education rather than traditional schooling.

Most recently, there has been plenty of discussion on social media of parents weighing their options in light of the deadly mass shooting at a high school in Georgia.

As a parent herself, Dr. Eshleman says her children’s safety is at the top of her mind.

However, home education can also have challenges when it comes to setting boundaries between school and family time. Dr. Eshleman offers advice to parents who may be considering this option.

It can be really difficult and it kind of depends on the child, the child’s temperament, and the interaction just in general between the parent and the child. But the goal would be that the child understands that time for school, is meant to be focused on school time and academic activities… and for parents to really try and draw those clear boundaries.

“It can be really difficult and it kind of depends on the child, the child’s temperament, and the interaction just in general between the parent and the child,” she told CBS12 News. “But the goal would be that the child understands that time for school is meant to be focused on school time and academic activities… and for parents to really try and draw those clear boundaries, between what is that focused education time versus what is that more flexible family time, meant to be a little more laidback and informal.”

If you’re considering the home education route here’s what you need to know:according to the Florida Department of Education state law does not require parents have a particular educational background.

There is also not standard curriculum for students, so it’s really up to parents to customize the curriculum.

Parents are required to keep a portfolio of a student’s activities and materials for up to 2 years, and students must complete 1 of 5 academic evolutions annually.

Dr. Eshleman tells CBS12 News, it’s important to note just because you pick this route doesn’t mean you need to stick to it forever. She says you can always send your kids back to traditional school, or vice versa.

It’s also really important to consider how you will supplement your child’s social development, according to Dr. Eshleman. Parents should find alternative ways to build necessary skills while not in a traditional classroom.