Q. What do I need to do to become certified as an evaluator for homeschool students? A. Special training or evaluator certification is not required to become an evaluator for homeschooled students. The testing statute, 22.1-254.1 (C), states the parent…
Read MoreTesting a Kindergartener
Q. I recently received a letter from my county superintendent saying my kindergartener must be tested. I didn’t think I needed to test this year. What should I do? A. Don’t be alarmed by this testing reminder. You have likely…
Read MoreTesting Level
Q. Which test level should I use to show educational progress? The one for the present year or the one for the year my child will be entering next fall? A. Unless the test publisher gives different ordering instructions, a…
Read MoreEvaluation Letter Contents
Q. What should be included in an evaluation letter? A. An evaluation letter should be written on letterhead with contact information and signed with the evaluator’s title and credentials. He may want to include documents that substantiate his educational background…
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Testing Early
Q. I tested my son in October when we began homeschooling. Can I submit these test results or do I need to test him again? A. A baseline test early in the year may provide helpful information as you begin…
Read MoreEvaluating Your Own Child
Q. Since I have a teaching license, can I evaluate my own child rather than use a standardized achievement test? A. The law allows a parent who has complied with the homeschool statute (filed a Notice of Intent form) to…
Read MoreSAT, PSAT & ACT Enactment Date
Q. Can I use the PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores in lieu of standardized test scores for my high school student this year? A. HB 1754 and SB 1403 have both passed and are now awaiting Governor McAuliffe’s signature before…
Read MoreTest Level
Q. Our son is working below grade level on some subjects, though he tested fine on the end-of-year, grade-level test. After I submitted his results, the school district indicated he should test at the next higher grade level. I don’t…
Read MoreTesting If Child Is 18
Q. If my child turns 18 this year, do I need to I notify the superintendent? And will we be required by law to provide testing scores for this past school year? A. No, the law does not require you…
Read MoreHow to Evaluate a Child
Q. For an evaluation, it says the child must show progress. Since my special needs child is behind in several subjects, will that affect her evidence of progress? A. Being behind in some subjects would be more evident on a…
Read MoreCAT-5 Test Change
Q. I understand the CAT-5 survey test is being phased out. Is there another test that covers only what the law requires? A. The TerraNova test is replacing the outdated California Achievement test (CAT). It is published by the same…
Read MorePSAT Changes in 2015
Q. I know the SAT exam is being redesigned, but will the PSAT change, too? A. Yes, the College Board is revising the PSAT/NMSQT test along with the SAT. The new PSAT exam is scheduled to be in the hands…
Read MorePSAT® Test Registration
Q. Where do I register my high school student for the PSAT®? A. A Homeschooler must register for the PSAT® at the local public high school in the school district in which he resides or another school close by. Some…
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Testing Deadline Missed!
NOTE: This Q&A has been updated and is accurate as of July 21, 2017. Q. What can I do if I miss the August 1 testing deadline? A. Although the deadline is very close, you still have a few options….
Read MoreAssessment Evaluators
Q. Who can evaluate my child in order to comply with the law? A. The answer depends on the option you have chosen for the evaluation. If you have filed a Notice of Intent form, you have several options for…
Read MoreTesting If No Longer Homeschooling
Q. Do I still have to submit test scores if I’ve decided not to homeschool next year? A. A-The law says if you provide home instruction, you must provide either testing results or an evaluation or assessment for the previous…
Read MoreHow to Report Test Results
Q. How do I report the testing score to the superintendent? Do I use a form or do I write a letter to tell him the results? A. After you test your child, you will send the test booklet and…
Read MoreTesting for Language Arts and Math Only
Q. Is there a test available that only has the language and math parts? I understand if I use a regular test, I do not have to use the other subject areas, but I feel that looks bad when we…
Read MoreTesting Changes with the CAT
Q. Is the California Achievement Test (CAT) still available for testing? A. Some test suppliers no longer carry the CAT-5 version of the California Achievement test because it is considered an old test; it was nationally normed in 1992. The…
Read MoreTesting If in Private School
Q. Should I send in test scores if my child is enrolled in a private school for her core classes, and I homeschool her for only one subject? A. You may or may not have to provide test scores, depending…
Read MoreLast Date to Test
Q. What is the latest I should test? I want to make sure we finish all the material before testing. A. I would suggest completing end-of-year tests no later than June. Once the test is mailed, you have no…
Read MoreSAT vs. Achievement Test
Q. Does a high school junior who has taken the SAT have to take the end of year test? I read it could replace the test for a senior. A. The SAT is not the same as a standardized achievement…
Read MoreSAT® and ACT® Test Difference
Q. What’s the difference between the SAT® and ACT® tests for college entrance? A. Both the SAT® (Scholastic Aptitude Test) exam and the ACT® (American College Testing) exam measure college readiness. A high school student who is planning to enter…
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Test if Beginning Mid Year
Q. If I begin homeschooling in January, will I be required to test and send in the results by August 1? A. Yes, if you filed a Notice of Intent and begin homeschooling any time during the school year—even as…
Read MoreTesting a Young Child
Q. I have a young first-grader with a short attention span. Can you suggest a test that is acceptable to my school district? A. All standardized tests are acceptable; it is up to you to decide which test you would…
Read MoreSpecial-Needs Requirements
Q. Are there extra requirements to homeschool a child with special needs? Are they still eligible for services like speech and occupational therapy (OT)? A. A child with special needs has the right to be homeschooled, and the parents of…
Read MoreNo Response from Superintendent
Q. I filed my NOI in early August and haven’t had a response yet from the superintendent’s office. Should I be concerned? A. There is no reason to be concerned. The superintendent is not required to send a response to…
Read MoreEvaluation Not Accepted
Q. If the superintendent decides the evaluation letter I sent is not acceptable, what might I expect to happen? Now that it is past the August 1 deadline, have I missed the opportunity to do anything else? A. As long…
Read MoreSubmitting A Portfolio
Q. I want to prepare a portfolio for next year. What do I need to do and how is it evaluated? A. The law doesn’t address portfolios directly, but they can be used for an evaluation or assessment. Begin by…
Read MorePercentile Test Scores
Q. How do I compute the percentile score for my child’s standardized achievement test? Is it an average or do some parts have more weight? A. A standardized achievement test is not like the subject tests you give during the…
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