Testing History

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 and mathematics sections.

§ 22.1-254.1(C) (i) states that parents must show evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine (23rd percentile) on any nationally normed standardized achievement test. A “composite score” is made up of a combination of the language arts and mathematics portions of the test. The language arts sections are made up of vocabulary, reading comprehension, language skills, work-study skills, and written expression. The mathematics sections include math concepts and math computation.

Testing for science, history, or any other subject beyond the language arts and mathematics components would mean parents must teach the same subject content, at the same time it is taught in public schools. Homeschoolers are not required to do this. Instead, we can choose materials for these subjects that fit the interests and needs of our children.