Test score submission is a compliance requirement in certain states where homeschooling families must administer standardized tests and report results to state or local education authorities, typically requiring scores above the 15th-33rd percentile.
What is Test Score Submission?
Test score submission is a compliance requirement in states that mandate homeschoolers submit standardized achievement test results to education authorities. Rather than simply requiring testing (which some states do), these states go further by requiring families to report results to superintendents, school districts, or state education departments. This serves as an accountability measure to verify homeschooled students are making adequate academic progress. Requirements vary significantly—some states want annual submissions while others require reporting only at specific grade levels.
Key Takeaways
- Only 9 states require all homeschooled students to be assessed (with varying submission rules)
- Minimum score thresholds range from the 13th to 33rd percentile depending on state
- Some states require annual submission; others only at specific grades (3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th)
- Many states with testing requirements don't actually mandate score submission
- Portfolio reviews or evaluations serve as alternatives to testing in some states
States Requiring Score Submission
Eight states require all homeschooled students to be assessed: Hawaii, Oregon, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia. Of these, West Virginia, Hawaii, and Oregon require submission of results to the district at grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Virginia requires results sent to the local superintendent by August 1 each year. New York mandates annual assessment results filed with the fourth quarterly report. North Dakota requires reporting at grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. Colorado stands out as the only state requiring annual testing from grade 3 through 11, though on an every-other-year schedule.
Minimum Score Requirements
States Without Submission Requirements
Many states require testing but not submission. Georgia mandates testing every three years but doesn't require submitting results to officials—scores stay on file with parents. North Carolina requires testing but has notably lax enforcement and no submission mandate. Tennessee requires TCAP assessment at grades 5, 7, and 9 without score reporting. Twenty-two states have minimal homeschool regulations overall, typically requiring only a Notice of Intent. States like Idaho, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Kansas, and Missouri have no standardized testing requirements for homeschoolers whatsoever.
Alternatives to Testing
Several states offer pathways around standardized testing. Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington allow parents to bypass assessment requirements through alternative methods. Portfolio reviews—where a qualified evaluator reviews student work samples—serve as an option in some states. Evaluations by certified teachers can substitute for testing in others. New York notably accepts either specific percentile thresholds OR demonstrated academic growth from the previous year, providing flexibility for students who test poorly but are clearly progressing.
The Bottom Line
Test score submission requirements affect a minority of homeschooling families, but those in regulated states need to understand their obligations. Check whether your state requires testing, requires submission, specifies grade levels for reporting, and sets minimum percentile thresholds. For families in states with submission mandates, planning ahead ensures you meet deadlines and have documentation ready. States with alternatives like portfolio reviews offer options for families whose children don't test well but are making genuine academic progress.
