A certified teacher evaluation is a formal assessment where a state-certified educator reviews a homeschooled student's portfolio and progress, then provides written confirmation that the child is demonstrating adequate educational growth. Several states offer this as an alternative to standardized testing for compliance.
What is Certified Teacher Evaluation?
In states requiring annual assessment of homeschool students, certified teacher evaluations offer a portfolio-based alternative to standardized testing. A certified teacher—typically holding a valid state teaching license—reviews your student's work samples, educational logs, and curriculum materials. The evaluator may discuss the portfolio with your child, though the conversation is usually informal and supportive rather than test-like. Afterward, the evaluator provides a signed statement confirming whether the child is or isn't demonstrating adequate educational progress. Parents submit this documentation to their school district or superintendent's office to maintain homeschool compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Evaluators must hold valid state teaching certificates (requirements vary by state)
- Reviews typically examine work samples, educational logs, and curriculum materials
- Evaluations assess progress relative to ability, not against grade-level standards
- Cost ranges from $40-75 per student, often with sibling discounts
- Most states requiring evaluations accept them annually at year-end
States Requiring Evaluations
Pennsylvania mandates the most detailed evaluation process: a certified evaluator must review portfolios and students must take standardized tests in grades 3, 5, and 8. The evaluator needs two years of teaching experience and certification at the appropriate level. Florida offers five evaluation options with certified teacher review being popular—and notably, Florida-certified teachers can evaluate any grade regardless of their certification specialty. Virginia gives parents a choice between standardized test scores or a certified teacher's assessment letter. Maine uses current Maine-certified educators for portfolio reviews. New York requires annual evaluation through either testing or a qualified individual's narrative report.
What Evaluators Look For
Evaluators assess whether your child is making educational progress commensurate with their ability—not whether they're hitting arbitrary grade-level benchmarks. This distinction matters for families using alternative approaches or accommodating learning differences.
Typical portfolio requirements include: a contemporaneous log of educational activities (kept throughout the year, not reconstructed at evaluation time), work samples from at least three subjects with dates showing progress from beginning to end of year, and documentation of instructional hours if your state requires them. Some evaluators simply discuss the portfolio, while others conduct informal skill assessments. Ask your evaluator about their specific process beforehand.
Finding and Preparing for an Evaluator
State homeschool organizations typically maintain evaluator directories. In Pennsylvania, the Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency lists certified teachers; in Florida, the Parent Educators Association offers member access to evaluator databases. Local homeschool support groups often share recommendations from experienced families.
Choose your evaluator early in the school year and ask what they expect to see. Organize your portfolio clearly—consider dividers or a table of contents. Date all work samples. Prepare your child by explaining the informal, supportive nature of the conversation. Most evaluations last about an hour and take place in your home or via video call.
The Bottom Line
Certified teacher evaluations provide a holistic alternative to standardized testing, allowing families using non-traditional approaches to demonstrate educational progress on their own terms. The evaluator sees a year's worth of work rather than a single test-day snapshot. For families in states offering this option, it often feels more aligned with homeschooling philosophy. The key is preparation: maintain records throughout the year rather than scrambling to compile them at evaluation time.
