HOPE for home educating families | Isaiah 40:31 '...HOPE in the Lord'

607/617/623 Private Schools

Isaiah 40:31

"but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

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(this information came from an FPEA resource)

http://www.notry.com/hschool/fla/hsguide5.htm

DO I HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS FOR HOME SCHOOLING ASIDE FROM COMPLYING WITH THE HOME EDUCATION ACT?

Yes! Many home schooling parents opt for enrollment with a private school. This section will address the differences between your choices.

ENROLLMENT WITH A PRIVATE SCHOOL - PART I: DEFINING A 617, 607 AND A 623 PRIVATE SCHOOL
When I mention the numbers 617, 607 and 623 in some home schooling circles, my comments are met with blank, questioning stares. Maybe you already know about these schools. For those who need explanation, read on. Before our state home schooling law was passed, many home schoolers sought the protection of a legal covering. This was accomplished by incorporating into private schools as defined by Florida Statutes 617, 607 and 623. Many home schoolers came out of hiding as these private schools were established all over the state. Others remained underground because of the rumblings from Tallahassee that these schools were operating in a gray area of the law.

All of this controversy eventually led to the passage of the Home Education Act of 1985. With the passage of the law many of the 617, 607 and 623 schools chose to close their doors and comply with the new law. Why? When asked, most former administrators conveyed that they wanted to show support to the legislators who helped to insure parents' rights regarding their children's education. They felt compliance with the newly established law demonstrated their appreciation. Others listed the advantages and disadvantages of enrollment with a 617, 607 or a 623 school, and they simply felt that the advantage of simply registering with their superintendent of schools was a better choice for their family.

Many 617's, 607's and 623's across Florida are operating in a strong and vital way. When I surveyed some administrators about why they chose enrollment with the private school over compliance with the Home Education Act, they felt that the advantages were worth the extra effort.

ADVANTAGES OF ENROLLMENT WITH A 617, 607 OR 623

1.	Enrollment satisfies those parents who have personal or religious convictions against registering their children with the state and being under the authority of the public school system.
2.	Some of the parents feel that the private school holds them to a higher level of accountability, thus encouraging them to apply themselves more diligently.
3.	Some of the parents feel their home school will take on a more "professional" status if they are affiliated with a 617, 607 or 623 school.
4.	Some of the parents prefer sharing legal responsibilities with someone else.
5.	The support group linked with the private school fulfills a need for affiliation and regular contact with other parents for the purposes of encouragement, child socialization opportunities, etc.
6.	The administrators can provide parents with transcripts and certain documentation when the child is withdrawn. Some are now offering high school diplomas.
7.	Some of the parents feel more comfortable belonging to a free standing organization because they fear the Home Education Act is in a constant state of being threatened by legislative whims.
8.	A 617, 607 or 623 school will be accessible to all home schoolers if legislation ever makes compliance with the Home Education Act intolerable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE ENROLLED WITH A 617, 607 OR 623 SCHOOL

1.	617's, 607's and 623's must, by law, require extra documentation, including attendance. (Registration under the Home Education Act does not.)
2.	617's, 607's and 623's require compliance with stricter rules and regulations because they are bound by the laws pertaining to private schools.
3.	Monthly or quarterly visits and evaluations by their school evaluators are often performed. Many families like to keep outside testing to a minimum.
4.	Many administrators make attendance mandatory at the monthly or quarterly parent support group meetings.
5.	Registration with the state is free while enrollment in a private school will require a fee to cover operating costs for services provided. Fees vary with each school.
6.	Those parents seeking a minimum amount of intervention feel that enrollment with a 617, 607 or 623 school takes away the freedoms they are seeking through home education.

FLORIDA COALITION OF CHRISTIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (FCCPSA)
The FCCPSA is a group of Christian leaders involved in the administration of 617, 607 or 623 private schools. The vision of the group is to set up a network throughout the state for the purpose of enabling administrators of the Private Homeschool movement to interact, exchange ideas, and share successes. It is through this networking that information can be disseminated to strengthen and aid the school and this, in turn, accomplishes their ultimate goal of building godly families.

Contact your FPEA District Director for a list of 617, 607 or 623 private schools in your area or for more information about these schools.

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(this information below came from parentdirectededucation.org, while I don't agree with 'their' philosophy of education 100%, this explanation below is very concise regarding private schooling and homeschooling)

Q: WHAT DOES "600 SCHOOL" MEAN?

A: "600 school" is only a nickname to describe private schools that incorporate under the Florida Statutes 607, 617, or 623. Some private schools do not incorporate. Private schools serving homeschoolers are also called umbrella schools and other nicknames.

Whether or not the school owner chooses to incorporate, all private schools are supposed to list with the Florida DOE. Check here to verify if the school you are interested in is listed in the database of Florida non-public schools:

http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/directory/schoolreport.asp

Q: WHAT ABOUT ACCREDITATION?

A: Not all private schools are accredited. Accreditation is voluntary. Check with the private school you are considering for its accreditation policy.

Q: DO I HAVE TO REPORT TO THE COUNTY?

A: No. You must send them a letter of termination to your county if you had previously sent a letter of intent upon establishing your home education program.

WHAT ABOUT TESTING AND EVALUATIONS?

A: Every private school has different requirements. Some are required by their accreditation agency to use specific tests. There are no tests or evaluations mandated by the State of Florida.

Q: WHAT RECORDS WILL THE PRIVATE SCHOOL KEEP?

A: This will also vary according to which private school you choose. However, there are some records private schools are required to keep according to Florida Statute -- attendance, for instance. Again, check with the private school you are interested in to confirm the school's requirements.

Q: CAN I ENROLL IN A SCHOOL THAT IS NOT IN MY COUNTY?

A: Yes, you can enroll in any private school.

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HEF

Home Education Foundation

~Brenda Dickinson~

Private School & Homeschooling lobbyist

http://www.flhef.org/laws.html

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Homeschooling through a Private School

(articles)

http://www.hsconnexion.com/morningstarschool/Free_to_Choose.html

http://www.southcountyhomeschoolers.org/SCHS/HTH/PublicPrivate.HTML

http://www.nhen.org/leginfo/detail.asp?StateCode=Florida

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=FL