HomeschoolEvaluations
Grades K-12
PBES offers hassle and stress free Annual Homeschool Evaluations (per Section 1002.41, F.S.) to families across the state of Florida.
Annual Homeschool Evaluation $75
Additional Siblings $20 (each)
Scholarship funds from the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities can be used to pay for annual evaluations!
WARNING:
Please be cautious when hiring an evaluator for your child's annual review. Many people claim to be "certified teachers" offering extremely low rates ($20-$40), however they do not meet the requirements of state law as defined in Section 1002.41, F.S., "a teacher who evaluates a home education student must hold current certification in academic subjects [more than one subject] at the elementary or secondary level in the state of Florida."If it's too good to be true, it probably is! You can verify a teacher's license at the Florida State Dept. of Ed website here.
Meet Ashley
You can trust your homeschool evaluation is in good hands with the experience of our licensed and certified teacher Ashley Rivello. Ashley holds a Professional Teaching Certificate from the Florida Department of Education (license #1147308) and is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law. She earned a Master's of Science degree in Education Law with concentrations in Advocacy Law and Special Education Law.
Ashley has taught all subject areas, in both charter and public schools, for more than a decade. In 2017, she resigned from the school district to homeschool her child who wasn't receiving an appropriate education based on his disability. She now works as a Law Advocate for families with special needs children and as a Reading Specialist for her sister company, Dyslexic Einstein.
ASHLEY RIVELLO
5 Star Parent Reviews
Florida Certified Teacher
Education Law Advocate
Reading Specialist
NSU Law Graduate
Mom to Special Needs Child
Options for Completing an Evaluation
Parents may choose a
Portfolio Review or Standardized Testing
to fulfill state requirements.
1. Portfolio Review
Section 1002.41, F.S., defines a portfolio as “A log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.”
OR
2. Standardized Testing
School districts are required to provide state assessment tests, if the parent chooses this option as a form of evaluation. School districts may offer standardized tests to home education students.
Portfolio Review
Convenient Online & In Person Options
Online
This is the quickest and easiest option for completing an evaluation! NO appointment necessary!
1. Gather Documents
You will scan hard copies or take pictures of different components of your portfolio including but not limited to:
Activity Logs (lesson plans, field trips, projects, reports, experiments etc.)
Reading Logs (book titles and authors)
Work Samples (workbooks, worksheets, writing samples, creative materials etc.)
2. Send Email
Email all samples to palmbeacheducationsolutions@gmail.com. Please also include the following as required by law:
Full name and date of birth of the child(ren) being evaluated;
Parent’s mailing address;
E-mail address; and
Phone number.
3. Submit Payment
An invoice from Pay Pal will be sent to you the following business day from receiving your emailed files. You do not need a Pal Pay account to submit payment online. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and Zelle. Each evaluation is $75and only $20* for sibling(s). You will receive your evaluation emailed as well as the original sent via USPS. You are required to file the evaluation with your local school district's Home Education office before your due date.
*To receive the discounted sibling rate, all documents must be submitted at the same time for each child in the household.
4. Complete Phone Call - OPTIONAL
You will receive a follow up phone call within 1-2 business days from payment submission. We will complete a quick and friendly 10 minute call with you and your child(ren). Questions might include "what is your name?" "how old are you?" "what is your favorite subject?" "what is something that you learned this year?"
5. Evaluation Sent
Once the phone call is complete, your evaluation will be emailed immediately! A hard copy will also be mailed at the address you provided as well as information on where you should file the evaluation at your local school district. It's that easy!
In Person
This is an easy option also but does take a little bit longer! In person meetings will be scheduled for families living within Palm Beach County.
1. Schedule Appointment
An in person meeting with you and your child(ren) will be scheduled at a local public library to review the portfolio and required documents. Scheduling in person meetings may take between 1-2 weeks depending on availability. Please send an email to palmbeacheducationsolutions@gmail.com requesting an "In Person Meeting" for evaluation with your preferred days and times. You will be contacted within 24 hours to schedule your appointment.
2. Submit Payment
Your invoice will be emailed to you through Pay Pal. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and Zelle. A Pay Pal account is not necessary to complete payment.
We charge $75per evaluation and $20 per sibling with portfolio reviews completed at the same meeting.
3. Attend Meeting
You will need to bring a hard copy of the following required documents:
Activity Logs (lesson plans, field trips, projects, reports, experiments etc.)
Reading Logs (book titles and authors)
Work Samples (workbooks, worksheets, writing samples, creative materials etc.)
What should you expect at the meeting?
A quick review of the documents you bring and of your portfolio. Your child(ren) will be asked a few simple questions about their experience homeschooling. Questions may include "what is your name?" "how old are you?" "what is the best part about homeschooling?" "what do you enjoy learning about?" Your evaluation will be signed and given to you at the appointment!
Meetings are typically 30 minutes long and are held at a local library in Wellington or surrounding areas. If you live outside of this area, you can still receive an evaluation through our online option!
Please Note: State law requires proof that your student has made educational progress commensurate with ability. With that being said, you do not need to send every document from your portfolio. You should submit a couple samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the year. These samples should show educational growth and progress.
ANNUAL EVALUATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE BEFORE THE ANNIVERSARY DATE OF YOUR NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOMESCHOOL.
Example: If you filed your Notice of Intent to Homeschool on September 16th, then by September 16th of every year, your annual evaluation is due.
TIP: You should plan to obtain an Annual Homeschool Evaluation at least 4 weeks prior to your due date. This leaves time for emergency situations and any other unexpected events!
Important Parent Information
FLORIDA STATE REQUIREMENTS:
A student in a home education setting must be evaluated once a year to demonstrate educational progress at a level equivalent to his or her abilities. The parent/guardian selects the method of evaluation from those provided in Florida Statute, then files a copy of the evaluation annually in the superintendent’s office.
EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS:
The evaluation must consist of one of the following:
a. A Florida certified teacher chosen by the parent/guardian may evaluate the child’s progress based on the review of the portfolio and discussion with the student;
b. The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
c. The student may take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district;
d. The student may be evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of Section 490.003 (7) or (8), F.S.; or
e. The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the student’s parent/guardian.
CERTIFIED TEACHERS:
As defined in Section 1002.41, F.S., a teacher who evaluates a home education student must hold current certification in academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level in the state of Florida. Of the five evaluation options described in the law, three involve a certified teacher.
ANNUAL EVALUATIONS:
“Annually” is defined in Florida Statute as one year from the date of the letter of intent.
Section 1002.41, F.S., requires the parent to provide for an annual evaluation of the home education student. Failure to do so places the home education program in non-compliance and permits the superintendent, after notice to the parent, to terminate the program. Non-compliance with this requirement should trigger the district’s policy regarding non-compliance with compulsory school attendance.
PORTFOLIOS:
Section 1002.41, F.S., defines a portfolio as “A log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.”
The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent/guardian for two years and shall be made available for inspection by the superintendent, or the superintendent’s agent, upon a 15-day written notice. The superintendent, or the superintendent’s agent, is not required to inspect all portfolios.
INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS:
If the student does not demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability, the district school superintendent shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved. The parent shall have 1 year from the date of receipt of the written notification to provide remedial instruction to the student. At the end of the 1-year probationary period, the student shall be reevaluated as specified in paragraph (1)(f). Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent upon the student demonstrating educational progress commensurate with her or his ability at the end of the probationary period.
