Two states, side by side

Florida vs Michigan: Homeschool Laws Compared

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

Start tracking free

The short answer

Florida is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while Michigan requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 7 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access.

Rules compared: 9
Differences: 7
Same in both: 2

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	Michigan
Notice of intent Differs	Required, filed with the local school district	Not required
Hours or days per year	No minimum	No minimum
Required subjects Differs	None named	9 named: reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, english grammar
Testing or evaluation Differs	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually	None
Portfolio of work Differs	Required	Not required
Progress reports	Once a year	None
Compulsory school ages Differs	6-16	6-18
ESA or school choice funding Differs	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)	No program
Public school sports access Differs	Yes	District decides

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 Michigan

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

There is no notice to file in Michigan. Before you leave, send Florida's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
Michigan names 9 required subjects (reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, english grammar). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
Michigan requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Florida's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
Michigan does not require a portfolio. Bring Florida's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in Michigan against 6-16 in Florida, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Michigan has no ESA program. Florida's Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP) is for Florida residents, so budget without it.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Michigan the answer is district decides; in Florida it was yes.

How to start homeschooling in Michigan Moving to Michigan checklist Withdrawing in Florida Florida withdrawal letter (free PDF)

Moving from Michigan to Florida

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

File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Florida resident. Michigan did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
Florida names no required subjects. Michigan's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
Florida requires parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually. Michigan had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and Michigan did not.
Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Florida against 6-18 in Michigan, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Florida runs Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP). Check whether your family qualifies; Michigan had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in Michigan it was district decides.

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

What stays the same

Florida and Michigan match on hours or days per year and progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Florida nor Michigan 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 Michigan page.

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