Assessment Requirements in Virginia

What’s required

Virginia requires homeschooled students to complete a standardized test, teacher evaluation or other approved method. This is required annually.

Results must be submitted to superintendent of the local school division.

Minimum score

Your child’s test results need to meet a specific threshold. Here’s what the state requires:

Don’t panic if this sounds intimidating. Most homeschooled students meet or exceed these benchmarks, and if your child falls short, there are clear next steps (see below).

What happens if your child doesn’t meet the minimum

First things first: this is not a crisis. States build in a structured process to help your family get back on track. Here’s how it works in Virginia:

• Process: Program may be placed on probation for one year
• Timeline: Must file remediation plan; child must achieve composite score in or above the fourth stanine after probation year
• If scores still don’t improve: Home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254

The important thing to remember is that you have time and options. Many families use a low score as a chance to adjust their approach, try new curricula, or get targeted help in specific subjects.

Approved tests

The following tests are accepted in your state:

• Iowa Assessments (ITBS)
• Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)
• CAT
• PIAT
• Woodcock-Johnson
• MAP

Many of these can be administered at home or through a local testing service. Your homeschool co-op or state organization may also coordinate group testing dates.

Alternatives to standardized testing

If standardized tests aren’t a good fit for your child, your state offers these alternatives:

• evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state
• evaluation letter from a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline
• report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school

These options can be especially helpful for students who experience test anxiety or whose learning style doesn’t translate well to multiple-choice exams.

Multiple pathways, different requirements

Virginia offers 5 pathways to homeschool, and they don’t all have the same assessment requirements. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma: assessment required (standardized test or teacher evaluation or other approved method, annually)
• Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: assessment required (standardized test or teacher evaluation or other approved method, annually)
• Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum: assessment required (standardized test or teacher evaluation or other approved method, annually)
• Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: assessment required (standardized test or teacher evaluation or other approved method, annually)
• Religious Exemption: no assessment required

Our wizard will help you pick the pathway that’s the best fit for your family’s situation.

Get your personalized plan

Every family’s situation is a little different. Our free wizard builds a step-by-step compliance plan tailored to your family, including exactly which assessments you need and when they’re due.