Is testing required for homeschoolers in New York?

Yes. New York requires Standardized test or Teacher evaluation annually.

Are there alternatives to standardized testing in New York?

Yes. New York accepts: Written narrative evaluation: grades 1-3 any year; grades 4-8 no more often than every other school year; not available for grades 9-12. Prepared by a NYS-certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or another person chosen by the parent with the superintendent's consent, who has interviewed the child and reviewed a portfolio of the child's work. The parent pays any cost..

Assessment Requirements in New York

Q: What is the minimum test score for homeschoolers in New York?

New York requires: Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a test administered during or after the prior school year.

What’s required

New York requires homeschooled students to complete a standardized test or teacher evaluation. This is required annually.

Results must be submitted to school district (filed with the fourth quarterly report).

Submission deadline: With the fourth quarterly report, on the date the parent set in the IHIP

Practical tip: Your annual assessment, filed with the fourth quarterly report, is either a standardized achievement test or a written narrative evaluation. The narrative is allowed in grades 1 through 3, and in grades 4 through 8 no more often than every other school year; grades 9 through 12 use a standardized test (8 NYCRR 100.10(h)). A test score is adequate if the composite is above the 33rd percentile on national norms or shows one academic year of growth. NYSED recommends telling your district which method you will use by the end of the third quarterly reporting period, and with the superintendent's consent a parent may administer the test or prepare the narrative.

Minimum score

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

Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a test administered during or after the prior school year

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 New York:

Process: The program is placed on probation for up to two school years, and the parent submits a plan of remediation, which the school district reviews and may require changes to before accepting (8 NYCRR 100.10(i)(1))
Timeline: Probation lasts up to two school years. The program comes off probation at the end of any semester in which the child reaches the level in the remediation plan; if the child attains less than 75 percent of the plan's objectives at the end of any semester, or has not met 100 percent after two years, the program goes to board of education noncompliance review
If scores still don’t improve: The superintendent sends a noncompliance notice and the board of education reviews the program (parent consent not required); the parent may appeal a final determination to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days. Once review is complete, the parent must provide instruction at a public school or elsewhere in compliance with Education Law 3204 and 3210

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 Test of Basic Skills
California Achievement Test
Stanford Achievement Test
Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
Metropolitan Achievement Test
a State Education Department test
another test approved by the State Education Department

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:

Written narrative evaluation: grades 1-3 any year; grades 4-8 no more often than every other school year; not available for grades 9-12. Prepared by a NYS-certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or another person chosen by the parent with the superintendent's consent, who has interviewed the child and reviewed a portfolio of the child's work. The parent pays any cost.

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

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.

Get Your Personalized Plan

Source: 8 NYCRR 100.10(h) (annual assessment); 8 NYCRR 100.10(i) (probation)