Q: On a high school transcript, should I indicate that my special-needs teen took a special type of achievement test or should I list the name of the test? The transcript may be used for college admissions.   A: Achievement test results are not included on a high school transcript. They are required by the [...]

Q. I’m overwhelmed with negative comments and criticism from a close family member who does not support our decision to homeschool. How should I respond without creating more of a problem?   A. I am so sorry you are facing criticism about your decision to homeschool. Having relatives who support homeschooling is a blessing, but, [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. Does my letter of intent need to be postmarked by August 15 or physically in my superintendent’s office by August 15th? A. Your Notice of Intent should be postmarked [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. Should I keep a record of the days and hours of home instruction and if so, to whom do I submit it? A. The compulsory attendance law in §22.1-254(A) [...]

Q. How do I place my child at the correct level for the upcoming year? Can I use an achievement test? A. Correct placement in the core skill subjects — language arts and mathematics – can be very helpful, but not always necessary. It will show strengths and weaknesses and identify learning gaps. I would [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. If my child takes two classes at a Christian school, should I include this information in the Notice of Intent or just in the list of  subjects as required? A. [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. Do I have to send my diploma each year with my Notice of Intent since the superintendent should have it on file from previous years? A. Including a diploma [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. I have a homeschool diploma signed by my parents. Can I use it for option (i) to homeschool my own children, or does a diploma have to be from [...]

Q. I’m in a panic! My student scored below the 23rd percentile on one section of a standardized test. What should I do? A. A student may score below the 23rd percentile on one or more sections of a standardized achievement test and still be okay. The composite score is the most important score for the purpose of [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. As a certified tutor, am I required to send in standardized test scores? A. It depends on how you have complied with the law. As a Virginia certified teacher [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. To whom do I send my Notice of Intent, and where can I find the address? A. You should send your Notice of Intent form to your local school [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. If we have legal custody of a family member, can we homeschool the child? A. If you are the legal guardian of a child, you may homeschool him. The law states, “…every [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q: How long are you required to keep your child’s schoolwork? A: The Virginia homeschool law does NOT require you to keep your child’s school work. Neither does the statute [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. I received a letter from my superintendent with what he termed the “new forms.” One includes a place to list the subjects and then a blank for the “objectives” [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q: When does the new curriculum description law go into effect, and what information should be included? A: The curriculum description law change goes into effect July 1, 2012. For [...]

Q. What are stanines, percentiles, and grade equilavent scores? A. STANINE SCORES Stanine is short for standard nine. A stanine score ranges from a low of 1 to a high of 9; therefore, the name “stanine.” For instance, a stanine score of  1, 2, or 3 is below average;  4, 5, or 6 is average; and 7, [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q: Is there a discount code for any of the parent-taught driver education programs? A: Yes, there is a 10% discount for the National Driver Training Institute if you use [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. Are “verified credits” necessary (or recommended for college entrance) for a homeschool high school transcript. Would dual-enrollment courses in a community college count as verified credit? A. “Verified credit” is a [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. As a military family with a five-year-old, can we homeschool in another country? Do we have to test before deploying, and is there a process we should follow to [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. I understand if my kindergartner was not six last September 30, I don’t have to have him tested, but do I need to submit proof of  academic progress by [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers. Q. How do I get a diploma when my teen is ready to graduate? We use a correspondence school, but I prefer a Virginia diploma. A. A homeschool student will [...]

Q. My two elementary-age children did not do well in math, so I put them back one grade level in math when we began homeschooling in  September. They are doing well in other subjects. Do I have to test them for grade appropriate math? A. Yes, I suggest you test them at the appropriate grade [...]

Q. How do I know what type of history my child should be reviewing for the end-of-year test? A. Homeschool students are NOT required to take the history and science portions of a standardized achievement test. They must take only those parts of the test necessary for determining a composite score, namely the language arts [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. I’m concerned about my child’s performance on a standardized achievement test. Can you recommend a practice test? A. Testing jitters are contagious this time of year! You’re not alone. [...]

Q. What are the physical education requirements for homeschoolers, and how do homeschoolers meet them? A. Although the Virginia law (§22.1-200) requires that specific subjects are taught in public schools–including physical education at the elementary level–these subjects are NOT required to be taught by homeschoolers. The Virginia homeschool law makes no reference to required subjects. [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. How do I find out what my child is supposed to know by the end of each grade? A. The skill subjects are the most important subjects your child [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. Am I required to test my kindergarten child if I notified my superintendent last fall that we would begin homeschooling? A. Testing a kindergarten student does not depend on [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. Should my child take the GED exams? A. Although a GED credential can be earned by a homeschool graduate, HEAV does not recommend a GED for several reasons: It [...]

This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers! Q. Under the certified tutor statute, do I have to be certified at the high school level to teach high school subjects? A. According to §22.1-254 (A), in order to [...]

Note: This was received in response to the “School District Offers Testing–What Are My Options?” Q&A published last week. I would like to clarify the section on ‘schools offering spring testing as an option’. We offer testing, at no cost, as an ‘option’ and a service to our homeschool families. It is true that we do [...]