Test score submission is when homeschooling families must report standardized test results to education authorities. This ensures students are making academic progress and varies by state in terms of requirements and frequency.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is test score submission?
Test score submission is a requirement in some states for homeschoolers. These states ask families to send standardized test results to local education authorities. This isn’t just about testing; it’s a way to hold families accountable. It helps show that homeschooled kids are keeping up academically. The rules differ widely. Some states want results every year, while others only need them at certain grade levels.
States requiring score submission
Only nine states require testing for all homeschooled students: Hawaii, Oregon, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia. In West Virginia, Hawaii, and Oregon, results must be sent to local districts for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Virginia needs test results sent to the superintendent by August 1 each year. New York wants yearly results included with the fourth quarterly report. North Dakota requires reporting at grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. Colorado is unique as it requires annual testing from grades 3 through 11, but on an every-other-year basis.
States without submission requirements
Many states require testing but not submission. For example, Georgia mandates testing every three years, but parents don’t have to share the results. North Carolina has testing too, but there's little enforcement and no submission rules. Tennessee requires TCAP tests at grades 5, 7, and 9 without needing to report scores. Twenty-two states have minimal regulations, usually just needing a Notice of Intent. States like Idaho, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Kansas, and Missouri don’t require standardized testing for homeschoolers at all.
Alternatives to testing
Some states offer ways around standardized testing. Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington allow parents to skip testing through alternatives. For instance, portfolio reviews let a qualified evaluator check student work samples. In other states, evaluations by certified teachers can replace tests. New York offers flexibility by accepting either specific percentile thresholds or proof of academic growth from the previous year.
The bottom line
Test score submission affects a small number of homeschooling families. Those in regulated states should know their responsibilities. Check if your state requires testing and submission, what grades need reporting, and if there are minimum score thresholds. If you're in a state with submission mandates, plan ahead to meet deadlines and have your documents ready. States with alternatives, like portfolio reviews, offer options for kids who may not test well but are still progressing academically.
