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Two states, side by side

Alabama vs Florida: Homeschool Laws Compared

Nine rules compared from each state's verified compliance data, then what changes for a family moving in either direction.

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The short answer

Florida is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while Alabama requires notice but no testing or evaluation. They differ on 4 of the 9 rules compared: testing or evaluation, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared
9
Differences
4
Same in both
5

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Rule Alabama Florida
Notice of intent Required, filed with the local school district Required, filed with the local school district
Hours or days per year No minimum No minimum
Required subjects None named None named
Testing or evaluation Differs None Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually
Portfolio of work Differs Not required Required
Progress reports None Once a year
Compulsory school ages Differs 6-17 6-16
ESA or school choice funding CHOOSE Act (up to $2,000) Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)
Public school sports access Differs Yes, with conditions Yes

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Alabama to Florida

Once you are a Florida resident you homeschool under Florida's rules. These are the ones that change.

  1. Florida requires parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually. Alabama had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
  2. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and Alabama did not.
  3. Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Florida against 6-17 in Alabama, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
  4. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in Alabama it was yes, with conditions.
How to start homeschooling in Florida Moving to Florida checklist Withdrawing in Alabama Florida letter of intent Alabama withdrawal letter (free PDF)

Moving from Florida to Alabama

Once you are a Alabama resident you homeschool under Alabama's rules. These are the ones that change.

  1. Alabama requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Florida's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
  2. Alabama does not require a portfolio. Bring Florida's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
  3. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Alabama against 6-16 in Florida, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
  4. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Alabama the answer is yes, with conditions; in Florida it was yes.
How to start homeschooling in Alabama Moving to Alabama checklist Withdrawing in Florida Alabama letter of intent Florida withdrawal letter (free PDF)

What stays the same

Alabama and Florida match on notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Alabama nor Florida takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Homeschool record keeping guide How to withdraw from public school

Sourced from each state's own published requirements. See the sources and verification dates on the Alabama page and the Florida page.

Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.

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