Last reviewed October 2, 2026. General educational information—not legal or scholarship advice.
Florida families often use the words PEP and homeschool interchangeably, but the Personalized Education Program and a district-registered home education program are not the same administrative path. The most useful comparison is not which label sounds better. It is what changes for registration, funding, annual requirements, course enrollment, and recordkeeping.
What is registered home education?
A registered home education program is parent-directed education established under Florida Statute 1002.41. The parent files a notice with the district, maintains a portfolio, arranges an annual evaluation using one of the methods in the statute, and files a termination notice when the program ends.
What is PEP?
PEP is a scholarship pathway administered through an approved scholarship funding organization. It provides an education savings account for eligible uses under current program rules. Families should begin with the current PEP Family Handbook and Purchasing Guide. Step Up reports that its 2026–27 materials were revised July 1, 2026.
The practical differences to verify
- District status: PEP families should follow the current scholarship instructions about home education termination or enrollment status instead of assuming the district process stays the same.
- Annual progress requirement: Review the current PEP handbook for the assessment or evaluation requirement that applies to your student, including any disability-related exemption process.
- Purchases: PEP expenses must follow current eligibility, documentation, purchasing, and reimbursement rules. Educational value alone does not guarantee approval.
- FLVS: FLVS currently instructs PEP recipients to register as the “Private School” student type in its admissions process.
- Records: Keep scholarship records, invoices, approvals, student work, course results, and any records needed for future high-school or college applications.
Questions to answer before switching
- What step changes the student’s district status?
- Which annual assessment or evaluation rule will apply?
- Which expenses are eligible this scholarship year?
- How will FLVS, dual enrollment, athletics, and other programs classify the student?
- Who will maintain the transcript and completion records?
Do not base a switch on an old social post or last year’s handbook. Compare the current documents, save the version you relied on, and confirm unusual situations with the responsible agency.
Download the free Florida planning guides or read the complete PEP scholarship guide.