Homeschool Evaluation and Testing Information

Evaluation and Testing

This information reflects the changes to the Home Instruction Statute which went into effect on July 1, 2008. The changes primarily affect families who use option ii (provide an evaluation or assessment). For more information on the 2008 changes, please see the FAQs about 2008 Changes to Home Instruction Statute and the 2008 Home Instruction Statute Changes pages.

The Home Instruction Statute (§22.1-254.1 C) requires parents to provide "evidence of progress" at the end of the school year. Parents may either submit:

(i) A composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test
(ii) An evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress, including but not limited to: (a) an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress; or (b) a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school.

Evidence of progress must be submitted by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction.

To read the complete text of the law: §22.1-254.1 Declaration of policy; requirements for home instruction of children

Who Needs to Test/Evaluate?

Under the Home Instruction Statute, evaluation or testing must be provided for all children who are between the ages of 6 and 18 as of September 30th of the current school year (regardless of grade level).

The following do not have to provide evidence of progress:

Children under the age of 6 as of September 30th. For more information regarding kindergarten options, see Much Ado About Kindergarten.
Children older than 18 as of September 30th.
Children 16 years or older as of September 30th who have graduated from homeschool and/or taken the GED. To read the complete text of the law pertaining to the GED: §22.1-254.2 Testing for general educational development; eligibility; guidelines
Children who are exempt from the Compulsory Attendance Code due to a Religious Exemption. For more information read Religious Exemption from Compulsory Schooling
Children who are exempt from the Compulsory Attendance Code through the Approved Tutor Provision.

Submission Deadline

Evidence of progress must be submitted to the superintendent by August 1st following the school year in which the child has received instruction.

Evidence of Progress Options

There are two options for providing evidence of progress:

Option (i): Provide evidence that the child has scored in or above the 4th stanine on any nationally normed standardized test.
Option (ii): Provide an evaluation or assessment that the superintendent determines to indicate the child has achieved an adequate level of growth and progress.

Test and Evaluation Providers

VaHomeschoolers has compiled a list of providers who offer testing and evaluation services to the homeschool community.

Note: Inclusion on these lists does not constitute an endorsement from VaHomeschoolers. Contact experienced local homeschoolers for additional options in your community.

Failure to Provide Adequate Evidence of Progress

If evidence of adequate progress is not submitted, the home instruction program of the child will be placed on probation for one year. The parents must file with the superintendent proof of their ability to teach their child and a remediation plan for acceptance by the superintendent. If this plan is not accepted or the required evidence of progress is not provided for by August 1 following the probationary year, home instruction for that child will be ended.

Unless you submit the results of a nationally normed standardized test, the local superintendent is required to make a determination about any end-of-year evidence of adequate progress. Most school divisions are fair and reasonable. Rarely, they are not. The superintendent may (at his or her discretion) place the homeschool on a probationary status. However, if a portfolio is rejected as not showing satisfactory progress, a parent might offer to submit a standardized test as an alternative, or offer to have a credentialed person evaluate the child and his or her work. It is up to the superintendent's discretion as to whether to agree to an alternative.

If probationary status is not acceptable to the parent, or if alternative assessments are not practical or acceptable to the parent or the school division, the parent may appeal a superintendent's decision. This entails simply notifying the superintendent (within 30 days of his negative decision) that you want to appeal the decision to an independent hearing officer. The superintendent then must make arrangements for the hearing. Independent hearing officers are attorneys and they are selected from a list maintained by the state Supreme Court. You do not need an attorney to make such an appeal.

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