Q. I’m a certified teacher, and I’ve received a letter saying that I must send testing results by August 1. Is this correct? A. It depends on how you filed last year. There are two ways Virginia certified teachers (tutors) can comply with the law. If you sent a letter to the superintendent referencing the [...]

Q. I’ve filed a Notice of Intent for several years, and have now decided to change to religious exemption. Do I have to explain why I didn’t initially file under religious exemption?   A. If you write a letter to the school board expressing your religious convictions, it is not required to mention that you [...]

Q.  If a high school student takes a summer course, where do I include that credit–in the year just finished or the year ahead? A.  It is really up to you where to place a summer course; you may place it either in the previous school year or the upcoming school year. Homeschoolers are not [...]

Q. Does my 15-year-old homeschooler need a work permit before trying to find a summer job? What forms does he need and where does he get them? A. In general, all 14- and 15-year-old students–who do not work for their parents in a family-owned business–must obtain a work permit. Students who are 16 or older [...]

Q. Am I required to keep any records for my homeschooled children? A. The homeschool law does not require you to keep your children’s work or maintain academic records. These are private documents and you are not required to submit these records to the superintendent. Of course, you can keep grades, plan books, projects, pictures, [...]

Q. My child is very advanced. Can she skip a grade, and if so, should I notify the superintendent’s office? A. If your child is advanced in all subjects at her present grade level, you could skip a grade. The Notice of Intent does not include information about grade level, so you can file the [...]

Q. I’m confused. Can you tell me the difference between a virtual school offered by the public schools and a homeschool? In both situations, the student stays home to learn. A. A virtual school is a public school at home. Although education is taking place in your home and there are some benefits, the content and [...]

Q. Are homeschoolers required to follow the public-school required days and hours of instruction? A. In 22.1-254 (A) the law says in part that parents shall homeschool “…during the period of each year the public schools are in session and for the same number of days and hours per day as public schools.” However, the [...]

Q. Why would the PSAT, SAT or ACT not qualify for a homeschooler’s standardized achievement test? A. The PSAT, SAT, and ACT provide different types of information than a standardized achievement test. The homeschool law states that a parent must submit the results of a standardized achievement test or an independent evaluation each year. Standardized [...]

Q. What parts of a standardized achievement test should my child take in order to satisfy the testing requirement? A. The law requires a “composite score” in or above the fourth stanine (23rd percentile) in order to continue homeschooling. A composite score is made up of the mathematics and language arts portions of a standardized [...]

Q. Where do I send the results of a standardized achievement test or evaluation? A. If you complied with the homeschool law 22.1-254.1 by filing a Notice of Intent or writing a letter to your division superintendent, you should send your test results or evaluation letter to the same person–your local superintendent or his designee. [...]

Q. Can homeschooled students participate in Governor’s Schools and if so, who pays?   A. Gifted public school, private school, and homeschooled students can apply for residential Governor’s Schools held during the summer months. The application process should begin in early October for the following summer.   According to the “2013 Summer Residential Governor’s Schools [...]

Q. Can I evaluate my child’s portfolio and send the evaluation letter to the superintendent? A. A portfolio is not mentioned in the homeschool law; however, it could fall under the category of an independent evaluation. In lieu of a test, you can have a portfolio evaluated by a person licensed to teach in any [...]

Q. Where can I get a homeschool ID card to use for educator discounts at stores?   A. Your HEAV membership card can be used at many museums and retail stores–office supply stores, book stores, craft stores, warehouse stores, etc.–that offer educator discounts. Your $35 HEAV yearly membership* supports the work of HEAV throughout the [...]

Q. Does a GED qualify as a high school diploma for option (i) of the homeschool law? A. A GED is not accepted as a high school diploma for the purposes of homeschooling under §22.1-254.1. However, you do have several other options. The law clearly states that “any parent” may provide home instruction under option [...]

Q. I just started homeschooling. Am I required to send test scores to the superintendent by August 1?   A. Yes, if you complied with the homeschool law by filing a “Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction” form or by writing a letter, you are required to provide evidence of progress by August 1 [...]

Q. If my child goes back to public school, can I take her out and homeschool her again if it doesn’t work out? What should I expect? A. Yes, you can homeschool again as long as you comply with the homeschool law by filing a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction. There is nothing [...]

Q. I have a child who needs help with reading comprehension. Can I have him tested through the public schools? A. Public schools will only provide an evaluation and/or services for students enrolled in their schools, so you will need to have his reading skills evaluated privately. The only publicly funded service that may sometimes be [...]

Q. What can I expect to happen when I call my senator or delegate regarding a bill that affects homeschoolers? I want to call, but I’m not sure what to say. A. When you call your legislator’s office, you can expect a secretary to answer the phone. Your senator and delegate are very busy, and [...]

Q. When should homeschoolers test? A. If you decide to use a standardized achievement test, the law requires you to provide a composite test score in or above the fourth stanine (23 percentile) by August 1 each year (§22.1-254.1 (C). It’s up to each parent to decide when testing takes place. Some parents test early [...]

Q: A friend told me that testing must be done by a certified teacher. Does it have to be a Virginia certified teacher? A: An achievement test may be administered by a number of different people, depending on the test you use. Each test publisher or company includes information about the test and who can [...]

Q. I never thought I’d be asking this question, but what should I do if I want to begin homeschooling now? I know I’ve missed the deadline, so what is the process? A. This is a question we’re often asked this time of year. The process is essentially the same as it is prior to [...]

Q. What is the difference between “homeschooling” and “homebound instruction”? A. Homeschooling means you, the parent, are responsible for the education of your child. You choose the subjects to be taught, based on your child’s age and ability. You choose the curriculum and methods of teaching, plan the schedule, and teach the subjects or facilitate [...]

Q. We plan to move to Virginia soon, but want to travel a few weeks after we arrive. How soon should I submit my Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction? A. If you move to Virginia during the school year, the homeschool law (§22.1-254.1 (B)) states that you must notify your local division superintendent [...]

Q. What records do I need to keep for my superintendent? A. If you filed a Notice of Intent, there are two records you need to keep: standardized achievement test records and immunization records. You must send your superintendent a copy of your child’s standardized achievement scores or other evidence of progress as described in [...]

Q. We have homeschooled for several years under option (i) of the homeschool law, but we have always had strong religious beliefs. Can we change how we file now that we understand the religious exemption option? A. Yes, you can change how you comply although the law gives no specific procedures to follow. If you [...]

Q. I would like to begin homeschooling under the certified tutor provision, but my teaching license recently expired. Can I get an extension and homeschool under the certified tutor statute while I earn the necessary points to renew my license? A. According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) licensure specialist, a teaching license extension [...]

Q. I have a child who is struggling to learn. I may need to have him tested, but I don’t know where to begin. Can you help? A. I know this can be a challenging situation for you and for your child who wants to learn, but is struggling for reasons he cannot understand. Here [...]

Q. Can a homeschool student who is dual enrolled in community college receive financial aid? A. No, a dual-enrolled high school student (a public, private, or homeschooled student who takes some college courses) does not qualify for college financial aid. One of the requirements to receive financial aid is that the recipient must be enrolled [...]

Q. I attended the Homeschool Retreat in Williamsburg last year. Will the 2012 Leadership Conference cover the same topics? Should I send someone else this year or attend again? A. Although the November 16-17, 2012, Leadership Conference is located in the same beautiful Williamsburg setting, and we will have some of the same sharing opportunities [...]