Two states, side by side

Florida vs New York: 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 New York sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: hours or days per year, required subjects, the portfolio, progress reports, 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	New York
Notice of intent	Required, filed with the local school district	Required, filed with the local school district
Hours or days per year Differs	No minimum	900 hours (990 for grades 7-12) a year
Required subjects Differs	None named	9 named: math, science, english, social studies, health, music, visual arts, physical education, library skills
Testing or evaluation	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually	Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually
Portfolio of work Differs	Required	Not required
Progress reports Differs	Once a year	Four times a year
Compulsory school ages	6-16	6-16
ESA or school choice funding Differs	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)	No program
Public school sports access Differs	Yes	No

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 New York

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

Start logging from your first day: New York counts 900 hours (990 for grades 7-12) a year, and Florida set no minimum.
New York names 9 required subjects (math, science, english, social studies, health, music, visual arts, physical education, library skills). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
New York does not require a portfolio. Bring Florida's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
Reports go from once a year in Florida to four times a year in New York.
New York 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 New York the answer is no; in Florida it was yes.

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

Moving from New York to Florida

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

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. New York's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Florida requires one and New York did not.
Reports go from four times a year in New York to once a year in Florida.
Florida runs Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP). Check whether your family qualifies; New York had no comparable program.
Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Florida the answer is yes; in New York it was no.

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

What stays the same

Florida and New York match on notice of intent, testing or evaluation, and compulsory school ages. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Florida nor New York 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 New York page.

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