Frequently Asked Questions...
What are the legal options, according to state law, for having my child evaluated?
Each student must do one of the following each year:
1) Have educational progress evaluated by a teacher holding a valid regular Florida teaching certificate and selected by the parent. The evaluation must include review of a portfolio and discussion with the student;
2) Take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
3) Take “a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing condition approved by the school district”;
4) Be evaluated by a Florida licensed psychologist or school psychologist; or
5) Be “evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon.”
Do students enrolled in FLVS need to be evaluated by a certified teacher?
This can be a
pretty confusing issue depending on which county you live in and what
level of education your child is currently in.
HSLDA (the Homeschool Legal Defense Association) advised me that if a student is completely enrolled in the FLVS, then s/he is considered to be a public school student. (Most counties agree this has to be a FULL CLASS LOAD of 6 classes.) Parents should contact FLVS and have them send the student's transcript directly to the Home Education office in their county of residence. (They often even accept a downloaded FLVS transcript mailed directly by the parent.) They would not need to be separately evaluated by a certified teacher such as myself because they have been taught and graded (online) by certified teachers, carrying a full class load. HOWEVER... Hillsborough and Pasco Counties accept these FLVS transcripts as proof of evaluation, but the Pinellas County Home Education office does not (even if the student is enrolled in 6 classes.) So, if your student is enrolled in FLVS and you live in Pinellas County, I will be happy to conduct an evaluation for you.
There
are also other issues to consider when trying to determine whether or
not you need an evaluation. Whether a student is considered a
"Homeschooler" or a "Publicly Schooled" student taking classes online at
home can depend on their grade level, whether or not they are
enrolled in an in-state or out-of-state umbrella school, or exactly which type of virtual school
they are using. Contact your county Home Education representative and
they will let you know whether or not you need an evaluation by a
certified teacher (like me!) or if you just need to have your child's
records transferred from your umbrella or virtual school to their
office.
Roxanne Hahn / Hillsborough County Representative: 813 272-4995 ext. 4
Carolyn Selfe / Pasco County Representative: 727 774-2782
What items/paperwork need to be provided for the evaluation if the student is enrolled in FLVS?
Evaluations of FLVS students are a little different than your average homeschooler because all the records are online and kept by the county. Because the state regulations still have to be met, there are a few items you will need to provide for your evaluator:
-A current copy of the student's transcript showing their classes and grades,
-a list of any textbooks that were used in the online classes (if any),
-a list of the pleasure books that were read during the year,
-an online work record... a copy of any page that shows when the student was online and what work was accomplished during that time. (Hopefully, this item includes work over a span of time.),
-work samples (from the beginning, middle, and end of the current year. This would include regular assignments, any/all tests that you have in your possession, any special projects, reports, etc.) Parents should get into the habit of pulling work aside at various times during the year and scanning it into a file in anticipation of the year-end evaluation. (All this organization is not expected to be perfect for the first evaluation.)
Do students in umbrella schools need to be evaluated by a certified teacher?
If the umbrella school is registered as a private school with the Board of Education in Florida, those students do NOT need a separate evaluation. If the umbrella school is registered out of state, then the student DOES need an evaluation by a FL certified teacher.
Your
place or mine?
When it comes to getting your portfolio evaluated, I offer you several convenient options... We can meet at a Panera Bread
Restaurant that is centrally located for both of us. Comfortable atmosphere and great food,
if you’d like to stay and have a meal.
What a great way to celebrate another successful year of homeschooling! OR, if you prefer to save gas, and aren't particularly excited about dragging your stuff all over town, make an appointment to meet with me ONLINE using Skype or video iChat. You won't even have to get out of your pajamas! (I have served clients throughout the state from the panhandle all the way down to Miami-Dade. For more info visit our "Services" and "Schedule" pages.) I have also been known to go to the homes of my clients as well, provided they are within range of St. Pete Beach, FL.
Does my child need to participate in the evaluation?
Yes. Part of the evaluation process is an interview with
the student. Not to worry, however, the questions I ask are light-hearted and
nothing the students can’t answer.
For example: What is your most favorite thing you did this year in
homeschooling? What would you like
to do better next year? What are
you most proud of? What kind of
things would you like to study next year?
How long does a portfolio evaluation take?
If the parent is well organized, a normal portfolio
evaluation usually takes 30-45 minutes.
(Hint: Want to be prepared for your evaluation? Go to our “Services” page, watch the power-point called, "How to Prepare for a Portfolio Evaluation, without losing your mind!" and download
the “Homeschool Portfolio Checklist”!) If your child is very talkative, it could take longer. I LOVE that enthusiasm, and would love to look at every piece of work, but in the interest of you being able to get on with your day, I will usually set a timer, just to keep us all on track. Sometimes a parent has to deal with several little ones during our meeting. This is understandable, but may cause the meeting time to be extended as necessary. This does not effect the cost of the evaluation.
Is it alright to bring my other children to the evaluation?
Yes, but please make sure all the children are well behaved and have some quiet activities to keep them occupied while we go through the portfolio. (Even the student whose portfolio we are reviewing might become a bit fidgety so they should have something to do as well.)
What do I need to bring with me to the evaluation?
In terms of the evaluation itself, you should have one (at the most two)
three ring binders for each child you are having evaluated. Remember, a portfolio is a SAMPLING of
your homeschooling year. I do not
need to see everything you have done the entire year. If you come to the meeting with boxes of materials that you
intend to hunt through as we go through the checklist list, I will have to
reschedule you. (Be prepared for your evaluation! Go to our “Services” page, watch the power-point called, "How to Prepare for a Portfolio Evaluation, without losing your mind!" and download
the “Homeschool Portfolio Checklist.”) This is easier than you think! (Check our "Services" page for specific instructions if you are planning to have an ONLINE evaluation.)
If I'm doing an online/cyber evaluation, when should I send you my student's paperwork?
Will I get the Certificate of Review letter that I need to send in to the county right away, or will it be mailed to me?
I give/email the Certificate of Review to the parent and the county liaison immediately after a successful evaluation.
Do I mail the Certificate of Review letter to the county or do you?
I will be happy to take care of emailing the certificate to you AND your county liaison as soon as we have completed a successful evaluation. (Please make sure you provide me with their name and email contact if it is not in my files.) If we have an in-person evaluation, you will also receive a hard copy as well.
To what address do I mail the Certificate of Review?
For your convenience, the address is on the Certificate of
Review letter I give you, if you are in Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Pasco counties. If you are in any other county in Florida, you will need to get the proper physical or email address from your county liaison. I do email a copy directly to you and your county liaison after a successful evaluation, but you are welcomed to send them a hard copy as well if you'd like. They seem quite satisfied with the emailed copies.
Should I make a copy of the Certificate of Review letter for my files?
Always a good idea!
How much are your portfolio evaluations and what form of payment do you accept?
My portfolio evaluations are $25 for an online/cyber eval, and $30 for an in-person evaluation. (This will help cover my travel expenses.) (Evaluation fees in today's market range anywhere from $20 to $75.) You may pay (in person) by cash, or by a check made out
to Carleen Galiardo, or instantly with VISA, MASTERCARD, or DISCOVER by using PayPal which may be found on our "Services" page. Payment is due at time of service. Receipts will be given.
When do I need to send in my evaluation to the county?
The date of your evaluation should coincide with the date you declared to the county that you were going to homeschool. If you sent the Letter of Intent to homeschool in September, then you need to send in your annual Certificate of Review in September.
If I was evaluated using a standardized test, do I send in the test results to the county along with the Certificate of Review?
The HSLDA recommends that you send in only the Certificate of Review issued to you by the certified teacher who
conducted the testing.
Do you provide references?
Yes! Please check the "Testimonies" page on this website. If you would like to speak to someone directly, please let me know and I will be happy to provide contact info for some of my clients who have indicated that they would be happy to speak with you about their personal experience with my services.
