Portfolios for Pennsylvania and Florida
Both laws ask for a log made as you teach, the reading materials and samples of work. The differences are in who reads it and when.
A homeschool portfolio in Pennsylvania or Florida holds a log made at the time of teaching, the reading materials used, and samples of writing, worksheets or creative work, according to each state's statute. In Pennsylvania an evaluator reviews it every year and certifies by June 30. In Florida you keep it two years, and the superintendent may ask to see it with 15 days' notice.
Checked October 30, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change: check your state's current law and its education department before you act.
What does Pennsylvania's law say goes in the portfolio?
The parent keeps a portfolio for each child: a log made at the time of teaching listing the reading materials by title, samples of writing, worksheets, workbooks or creative work, and the grade 3, 5 and 8 test results. School districts do not review the portfolio; the evaluator does. Only the evaluator's certification goes to the superintendent.
Every year an evaluator (a certified teacher, a licensed psychologist, or a qualified nonpublic school teacher or administrator) interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and writes whether an appropriate education is occurring; the parent gives this to the superintendent by June 30. In grades 3, 5 and 8 the portfolio must also hold results of a nationally normed achievement test or the statewide tests in reading/language arts and math. The parent may not give the test.
What does Florida's law say goes in the portfolio?
Keep a portfolio: a log of educational activities made at the time of instruction that names any reading materials used, plus samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials. The parent decides what goes in it and keeps it for 2 years. The superintendent may ask to inspect it with 15 days' written notice; the law does not require the superintendent to inspect.
Each year the parent arranges one annual educational evaluation and files a copy with the district superintendent's office. The parent picks the method: a Florida-certified teacher reviewing the portfolio and talking with the student; any nationally normed achievement test given by a certified teacher; the state test used by the district, given by a certified teacher; an evaluation by a licensed psychologist; or another valid tool agreed with the superintendent.
How do the two compare?
| Pennsylvania | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| The log | Made at the time of teaching, listing reading materials by title | Made at the time of instruction, naming any reading materials used |
| Work samples | Writing, worksheets, workbooks or creative work | Writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials |
| Tests inside it | Grades 3, 5 and 8: a nationally normed test or the statewide tests in reading/language arts and math | None required inside it; a test is one of the evaluation choices |
| Who reads it | The evaluator, every year; the district does not review it | The superintendent may inspect it with 15 days' written notice; a certified teacher reads it if you choose that evaluation |
| What is sent in | The evaluator's certification, by June 30 | A copy of the annual evaluation |
| How long you keep it | Our record does not give a period | 2 years |
What does the evaluator look at?
In Pennsylvania, the law's evaluator interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and writes whether an appropriate education is occurring. In Florida, if you choose a certified teacher's review, the teacher reviews the portfolio and talks with the student.
So the portfolio has to show progress across the year, not just a pile of work. Dated samples from the start, middle and end of the year in each subject do that best, with the reading log beside them.
How should I lay it out?
- One portfolio per child per school year.
- The log: Peabody's attendance record and hours log are made as you go, with a note for each day.
- Reading materials by title: the reading log keeps title, author and the date finished.
- Samples: in the portfolio tool each sample has a date, a subject, a title and a note, with photos or files. A photo is shrunk to at most 1,600 pixels on its long side, which also drops the location a phone puts in it.
- Print it in date order or grouped by subject. The evaluation pack prints attendance, hours, reading, the report card, progress reports, the portfolio and the transcript together.
Which other states mention a portfolio?
These states' records mention a portfolio in what to keep. Read your state's page before you copy Pennsylvania's or Florida's layout: what goes in, and who sees it, differs.
| State | What the record says to keep |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | The state asks for no home school records beyond the Notice of Intent. The Department says parents may choose to keep an attendance record, a portfolio of the student's work at each grade level, grades for each subject and a transcript. The Department says… |
| Connecticut | We found no required records in the statute. As a "best practice" the Department suggests keeping a log of attendance reflecting days and hours of instruction, and a portfolio for each child with samples of activities, assignments, projects and assessments,… |
| Delaware | The only reports the law requires are the annual attendance report (by July 31) and enrollment statement (by September 30). The Department does not keep student records and does not require a portfolio, but recommends keeping one with grades, attendance and… |
| District of Columbia | Keep a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work, such as writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and assessments, across a range of subjects. Keep it for at least one year. OSSE may ask in writing to review it, at least 30 days… |
| Idaho | The compulsory attendance statute requires no records. A parent who claims the state parental choice tax credit, or whose child joins public school activities, may need a portfolio or test results (see notes and the scholarship section). |
| Maryland | Keep a portfolio of materials showing regular, thorough instruction during the school year. It can include instructional and reading materials, examples of the child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and tests. A child taking college… |
| Mississippi | The law does not require attendance or progress records. Parents should keep a copy of the enrollment form. The department recommends a portfolio for each child with samples of activities, assignments, projects and assessments, a log of books and materials… |
| Missouri | The parent keeps a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of the child's work, and a record of evaluations of the child's progress (or other written or credible evidence equal to those). A daily log… |
| New Mexico | The law requires the home school operator to keep records of student disease immunization or a waiver of that requirement, and to affirm that the person teaching has at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Other records are not a legal requirement, but… |
| South Carolina | Option 1: keep a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of the student's academic work, and a record of evaluations. The district may inspect them on reasonable notice. Send the district a semiannual… |
Build the portfolio
Start the portfolio on the first week of school and add a sample or two a week. Before the review, print the evaluation pack.
Each state's dated steps are on its checklist: Pennsylvania's and Florida's. Florida's notice of intent can be written with the letter maker.
Sources
- Peabody Homeschool: the Record Book's attendance, hours and portfolio tools (checked October 30, 2026)
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Public School Code, section 1327.1 Home Education Program (General Assembly) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Florida: Florida Statutes 1002.41, Home education programs (legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Arkansas: Arkansas Department of Education: Fact Sheet on Homeschooling in Arkansas (April 2024) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Connecticut: Connecticut State Department of Education: Homeschooling in Connecticut (checked October 27, 2026)
- Delaware: Delaware Department of Education: Homeschools and Private Schools (checked October 27, 2026)
- District of Columbia: OSSE: Student Portfolio Review (checked October 27, 2026)
- Idaho: Idaho Code 33-202, school attendance compulsory (legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Maryland: COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Mississippi: Mississippi Department of Education: Home School (checked October 27, 2026)
- Missouri: RSMo 167.012 Home school defined (Revisor of Statutes) (checked October 27, 2026)
- New Mexico: NM Public Education Department: Home Schooling (checked October 27, 2026)
- South Carolina: S.C. Code Title 59 Chapter 65 (South Carolina Legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)