Two states, side by side

Florida vs Minnesota: 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 and Minnesota sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, 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	Minnesota
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 Differs	None named	13 named: reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, physical education
Testing or evaluation Differs	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually	Standardized testing, annually
Portfolio of work Differs	Required	Not required
Progress reports	Once a year	Once a year
Compulsory school ages Differs	6-16	7-17
ESA or school choice funding Differs	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)	No program
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 Minnesota

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

Minnesota names 13 required subjects (reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, physical education). 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, annually in Minnesota.
Minnesota 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 7-17 in Minnesota against 6-16 in Florida, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota the answer is yes, with conditions; in Florida it was yes.

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

Moving from Minnesota to Florida

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

Florida names no required subjects. Minnesota's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
The assessment rule changes from standardized testing, annually in Minnesota to parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually in Florida.
Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and Minnesota did not.
Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Florida against 7-17 in Minnesota, 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; Minnesota had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in Minnesota it was yes, with conditions.

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

What stays the same

Florida and Minnesota match on notice of intent, hours or days per year, and progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Florida nor Minnesota 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 Minnesota page.

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