Homeschool Evaluation: Evaluators and Portfolio Reviews

A homeschool evaluation has an evaluator or portfolio-review route in 13 states; Pennsylvania requires an evaluator every year, while Florida and New York accept portfolio or written-review options.

The evaluator or portfolio review checks evidence of your child’s progress. State rules set who may review the work, when you submit results, and what you keep at home.

• REvaluator or portfolio-review route (13)
• TStandardized test, no review route (7)
• ?Check the state page (30)

50 states · Letters or ages identify each tile; counts appear in the legend.

Read the state-by-state chart

Evaluator and portfolio-review routes

State	Chart category
Alabama	Check the state page
Alaska	Check the state page
Arizona	Check the state page
Arkansas	Check the state page
California	Check the state page
Colorado	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Connecticut	Check the state page
Delaware	Check the state page
Florida	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Georgia	Standardized test, no review route
Hawaii	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Idaho	Check the state page
Illinois	Check the state page
Indiana	Check the state page
Iowa	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Kansas	Check the state page
Kentucky	Check the state page
Louisiana	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Maine	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Maryland	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Massachusetts	Check the state page
Michigan	Check the state page
Minnesota	Standardized test, no review route
Mississippi	Check the state page
Missouri	Check the state page
Montana	Check the state page
Nebraska	Check the state page
Nevada	Check the state page
New Hampshire	Check the state page
New Jersey	Check the state page
New Mexico	Check the state page
New York	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
North Carolina	Standardized test, no review route
North Dakota	Standardized test, no review route
Ohio	Check the state page
Oklahoma	Check the state page
Oregon	Standardized test, no review route
Pennsylvania	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Rhode Island	Check the state page
South Carolina	Standardized test, no review route
South Dakota	Check the state page
Tennessee	Standardized test, no review route
Texas	Check the state page
Utah	Check the state page
Vermont	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Virginia	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Washington	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
West Virginia	Evaluator or portfolio-review route
Wisconsin	Check the state page
Wyoming	Check the state page

Key Takeaways

• Check your state’s rules before choosing an evaluator or review method.
• Keep the materials your state requires, and organize other work samples for easy access.
• Mark the deadline and result destination in your calendar.

What Evaluators Review

An evaluator reviews evidence of your child’s educational progress, with the exact materials set by state rules. A review can include the child’s work, the subjects studied, or a conversation with the child.

Some states specify which records support a review. For example, a portfolio may draw on reading logs and work samples. When state law does not specify records, check the state page for current instructions.

Which States Accept an Evaluator or Portfolio Review?

Thirteen states provide an evaluator or portfolio-review route: Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

The route differs by state. Some states accept a teacher’s written review, while others allow a portfolio review or a parent report. Check your state page for the rules that apply to your family.

Pennsylvania: Why Is an Evaluator Required Every Year?

Pennsylvania requires an evaluator to review the portfolio and interview the child every year. The evaluator certifies whether an appropriate education is occurring, and the certification is due to the superintendent by June 30.

The evaluator must be a licensed clinical or school psychologist, a Pennsylvania-certified teacher, or a qualifying nonpublic school teacher or administrator. The annual evaluator review is required alongside state or nationally normed tests in grades 3, 5 and 8.

Who Can Evaluate a Homeschooled Student?

Your state’s rules determine who qualifies, and accepted reviewers include teachers, psychologists, and other approved people. Some routes also allow a parent report or another method agreed on with a school official.

A homeschool evaluator may need a state teaching license, a specific education credential, or approval from a district or superintendent. Before arranging a review, confirm the evaluator’s qualifications and the permitted review method on your state page.

When Are Evaluations Due, and Where Are Results Sent?

Deadlines and result destinations vary by state. Some families send results to a district, superintendent, or school principal; others keep the assessment with their home records.

The state-by-state comparison below gives the timing and destination when state rules specify them. For Maryland, check the state page for timing. Follow the instructions for your state when a deadline or filing location is not stated here.

What Happens if Progress Is Inadequate?

The response depends on the state. The steps below apply only in states whose rules describe what happens when progress falls short.

• In Colorado, a composite score at or below the 13th percentile, after a chance to retest, or an evaluation showing too little progress means the child must enroll in a public, independent or parochial school until the next testing period.
• In Florida, the parent has one year of remedial instruction before reevaluation.
• In Hawaii, the principal meets with the parent to set an improvement plan.
• In Iowa, a child who falls short must attend an accredited school unless they retest, pass a portfolio review or get a remediation plan.
• In New York, an inadequate result means up to two years of probation with a remediation plan.
• In Virginia, without the required result, the program can be put on one year of probation with a remediation plan.
• In Washington, if results show the child is not making reasonable progress, the parent must make a good-faith effort to fix it.
• In West Virginia, if progress is not acceptable, the parent starts a remedial program. After a second year, the parent must give the superintendent more evidence of proper instruction.

Which States Require a Standardized Test?

Seven additional states require a standardized test: Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina (Option One), and Tennessee.

For test rules and options, see our guide Do Homeschoolers Have to Take Standardized Tests. Check your state page for any rules that apply to your family.

How Can You Prepare a Portfolio for Review?

Organize your portfolio so your evaluator can follow your child’s work and progress. Gather work samples and reading lists, then bring them to the evaluator if your review calls for them.

If your state specifies records, use those instructions to decide what to include. Florida calls for a log of educational activities written as they happen, including reading titles, plus samples of writing, worksheets, workbooks or creative work. Pennsylvania calls for a log listing reading materials by title, work samples, and required test results.

For broader record-keeping tips, see our guide Homeschool Record Keeping Requirements by State. Your state page can clarify which items you must keep or submit.

State-by-State Evaluation Comparison

The table shows who may review progress, what the route involves, and when results are due or kept when those details are specified. Use your state page to confirm current instructions.