Portfolio Evaluation

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 state, or by a person with a master’s degree or higher in an academic discipline. The law doesn’t say whether the evaluator can or cannot be a parent or a relative.

Because the superintendent or his designee will make a subjective decision about the evaluation, you would want to submit a document that is professionally acceptable. The superintendent may be reluctant to accept an evaluation written by a parent who is also the teacher, thinking that a parent may be biased. A more distant relative who meets the evaluator requirements may be acceptable. The decision will be up to the superintendent.