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Assessment Requirements in Pennsylvania

What’s required

Varies by pathway. Home Education Program: "06-30"; Private Tutoring: undefined; Religious Day School: undefined

Pennsylvania requires homeschooled students to complete a portfolio review, standardized test or teacher evaluation. This is required annually. Testing applies at grades 3, 5, and 8.

Results must be submitted to superintendent of the public school district of residence (evaluator's certification; test results stay in the portfolio).

Submission deadline: 06-30

Practical tip: Your evaluator can be a licensed clinical or school psychologist, a Pennsylvania-certified teacher, or a nonpublic school teacher or administrator with at least two years of teaching experience in a Pennsylvania school within the last ten years, with grading experience at your child's level. Others may evaluate with the superintendent's prior consent. The evaluator cannot be you or your spouse. At grades 3, 5, and 8, use a nationally normed test from the Department of Education's list, or the Statewide tests. The test may not be given by the child's parent or guardian (24 P.S. 13-1327.1(e)).

What happens if your child doesn’t meet the minimum

Pennsylvania hasn’t defined a specific remediation process for students who score below the minimum. If your child’s scores fall short, we recommend reaching out to your local school district to understand what steps, if any, they expect. In most cases, this is a conversation, not a confrontation.

Approved tests

Check your state’s approved test list for accepted standardized assessments. Your state homeschool organization or local school district can confirm which tests are accepted.

Alternatives to standardized testing

Standardized testing is the primary assessment option under this pathway. If your child experiences test anxiety or has a learning difference, check your full state guide . Your state may offer alternative pathways with different assessment methods.

Multiple pathways, different requirements

Pennsylvania offers 3 pathways to homeschool, and they don’t all have the same assessment requirements. Here’s a quick comparison:

  • Home Education Program: assessment required (portfolio review or standardized test or teacher evaluation, annually)
  • Private Tutoring: no assessment required
  • Religious Day School: 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.

Get Your Personalized Plan

Source: 24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e)