Assessment Requirements in Virginia

What’s required

Varies by pathway. Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma: "08-01"; Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: "08-01"; Option III -- Program of Study or Curriculum: "08-01"; Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: "08-01"; Religious Exemption: undefined

• Does not apply to children under age six as of September 30 of the school year (Va. Code § 22.1-254.1(C)).

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

Results must be submitted to division superintendent.

Submission deadline: 08-01

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: If evidence of progress is not provided, the program may be placed on probation for one year. You file evidence of your ability to provide an adequate education and a remediation plan; if the superintendent accepts them, home instruction continues for the probationary year (Va. Code 22.1-254.1(C)).
• Timeline: One probationary year with remediation plan filed with division superintendent
• 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

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

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, or a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress
• 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 -- 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.