Testing
Get the facts on assessments, tests, and portfolios.
Standardized Testing
Don’t be intimidated by testing! Most homeschool students do very well, and testing can be very beneficial. It’s not only an evaluation of how your child is progressing, but also a measure of how effectively your teaching methods work with your child.
You can use homeschool testing results to adjust your curriculum, teaching style, and teaching time to fit your child’s individual needs. Testing can be a great benefit. Also, If you find your child is an exception, give yourself enough time, if need be, to retest or choose another method of evaluation.
Check out the recently emailed Testing Update here!
What the Law Requires
§ 22.1-254.1(C) The parent who elects to provide home instruction shall provide the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction with either
(i) evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test or
or an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test, or
(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) or a report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance-learning program, or home-education correspondence school.
A good place to start is with the basics of what the law requires. If you homeschool under the homeschool statute, §22.1-254.1, you must provide evidence of academic progress. The results of an evaluation or assessment should be sent to your division superintendent by August 1 each year. Parents may use
- any nationally normed standardized achievement test; or
- an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test;
- an evaluation or assessment, including, but not limited to,
- an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a letter from a person with a master’s degree or higher in an academic discipline,
- or a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance-learning program, or home education correspondence school.
The first homeschool testing option–a nationally normed standardized achievement test–is used by many parents. If your student takes a standardized achievement test, he must have a composite score in or above the fourth stanine or 23rd percentile. A composite score is made up only of the mathematics and language arts components of the test. Students are not required to take other sections of the test.
If you would like to provide evidence of progress in a form that is not specifically listed in the statute, the parent should contact the superintendent’s office directly to make sure the test or assessment is acceptable, and be sure to document the superintendent’s response.
Where to Find Standardized Tests
Check out this list of testing resources.
HEAV offers private, online testing through BJU Press, using the popular and reputable Iowa test. Registration is open now, and your tests may be scheduled through the spring..
Looking for an Evaluator?
Check out our Counselors, Testers & Tutors page to find a qualified professional near you.
New to Homeschooling?
If you are new to homeschooling and this is your first time preparing your evidence of progress, you might be wondering where to start.
Have no fear—we’ve got you covered! Find out everything you need to know about your end-of-year evidence of progress in this blog post.
Kindergarten Students
Children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year are not required to “provide evidence of academic progress.”
§ 22.1-254.1(C) The requirements of subsection C shall not apply to children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year.
Also, check out the Kindergarten FAQ.
Where to Send Homeschool Test Results
Your test results or evaluation letter should be sent to the same person to whom you sent your notice of intent—your division superintendent or his designee.
List of local school divisions and addresses.
Also check out the Testing FAQ for more questions and answers from “Homeschool Q&A,” the popular feature in HEAV’s weekly e-newsletter, the Virginia Homeschool Update.
ACT, SAT, and PSAT
A parent may provide a score from the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test that is equal to the fourth stanine on a standardized achievement test. A parent may submit the results of an ACT, SAT, or PSAT test administered at any time during the school year.
Although the ACT, SAT, and PSAT report may not provide stanine scores, percentile scores are usually reported. According to the Virginia Department of Education, students with a composite score at or above the 23rd percentile on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT will meet the requirement for academic achievement.
