Two states, side by side

Florida vs Georgia: 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 and Georgia sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, and public school sports access.

Rules compared: 9
Differences: 6
Same in both: 3

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	Florida	Georgia
Notice of intent Differs	Required, filed with the local school district	Required, filed with the state education department
Hours or days per year Differs	No minimum	810 hours over 180 days a year
Required subjects Differs	None named	5 named: reading, language arts, math, social studies, science
Testing or evaluation Differs	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually	Standardized testing, at specified grade levels
Portfolio of work Differs	Required	Not required
Progress reports	Once a year	Once a year
Compulsory school ages	6-16	6-16
ESA or school choice funding	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)	Georgia Promise Scholarship
Public school sports access Differs	Yes	Yes, with conditions

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 Florida to Georgia

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

Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in Georgia rather than the local school district.
Start logging from your first day: Georgia counts 810 hours over 180 days a year, and Florida set no minimum.
Georgia names 5 required subjects (reading, language arts, math, social studies, science). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
The assessment rule changes from parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually in Florida to standardized testing, at specified grade levels in Georgia.
Georgia does not require a portfolio. Bring Florida's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Georgia the answer is yes, with conditions; in Florida it was yes.

How to start homeschooling in Georgia Moving to Georgia checklist Withdrawing in Florida Georgia letter of intent Florida withdrawal letter (free PDF) Georgia hour log (free PDF)

Moving from Georgia to Florida

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

Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Florida rather than the state education department.
Florida sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
Florida names no required subjects. Georgia's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
The assessment rule changes from standardized testing, at specified grade levels in Georgia to parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually in Florida.
Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and Georgia did not.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in Georgia it was yes, with conditions.

How to start homeschooling in Florida Moving to Florida checklist Withdrawing in Georgia Florida letter of intent Georgia withdrawal letter (free PDF)

What stays the same

Florida and Georgia match on progress reports, compulsory school ages, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Florida nor Georgia 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 Florida page and the Georgia page.

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