I've worked with several homeschooled seniors over the past two months and there is one document that I tell them they must have once they graduate. Many parents will know about creating a high school transcript if their child wants to attend college or that they need to fill out a letter of termination once they complete their child's last portfolio evaluation. But one of the most important things you can do as you graduate your homeschooled child is to have a Homeschool Completion Affidavit filled out, signed and notarized for their personal records. This is a legal document that is equivalent to a public or private school standard diploma. Most colleges will ask that you submit this in addition to a high school transcript (that is very easy to create!). I have also come across several employers asking for a high school diploma and this is an equivalent document.
The document certifies that your child was educated in a home education program as defined by Florida Statute § 1002.01(1) and that they have met the school attendance policy as defined by Florida Statutes § 1003.21(1)(a) and § 1003.01(13)(d) and has successfully graduated from a home education program that is in compliance with Florida Statute § 1002.41. You'll need to fill out and sign the document in front of a Florida commissioned Notary Public ( get two copies if you can!).
As your child's homeschool official, you are in charge of not only providing the education of your child, but also creating and documenting their home education journey. As the official, you are responsible for issuing this document as the diploma for your child. No one from the public school can legally do this for you if your child is registered through the county via a letter of intent. You may also order a traditional diploma certificate from several online providers to be displayed in a frame. This is a great time to think of a homeschool name if you don't have one already!
Florida Statute states that Florida colleges must accept the homeschool completion affidavit as legal proof of high school graduation from a home education program - http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=1000-1099/1007/Sections/1007.263.html
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