Homeschool Assessment Options, Compared
Many families considering homeschooling encounter the question of whether the state will require their children to be assessed and, if so, how. It is worth knowing at the outset that a substantial number of states — roughly 28 of the 50 — impose no assessment requirement whatsoever on homeschooling families. In those states, parents are generally free to evaluate their children's progress however they see fit, with no obligation to report results to any government body.
In states that do require assessment, standardized testing is among the most common mechanisms. Statutes commonly require that a child take a state-approved or nationally normed test — such as those used in conventional schools — administered either at a testing site or, in some states, at home under specified conditions. The resulting scores may need to be kept on file by the parent, submitted to the local school district, or reviewed by a designated official, depending on what the individual state's law specifies.
A second common option is portfolio review conducted by a certified teacher. Under this approach, parents compile samples of the child's work — written assignments, projects, reading logs, and similar materials — over the course of the year. A credentialed teacher then evaluates the portfolio and provides a written assessment of the child's academic progress. Some state statutes allow this in place of standardized testing as an equivalent alternative.
Other states permit additional district-approved evaluations, which may include interviews, demonstrations of competency, or assessments designed locally by the school district. These vary considerably in practice. Because requirements differ so significantly from one jurisdiction to another, readers should consult their own state's statute — this site lists all 50 — and confirm current rules directly with their state education department.
Get your state's legal checklist →Not legal advice. General information only, verified as of June 2026. Your state's statute controls — look up your state.