Homeschool Testing in Colorado

Families homeschooling under the Homeschool Law (Notice of Intent) are required to evaluate the academic progress of their children in the odd grades (beginning in the 3rd grade). Students have two options to fulfill this requirement:

• Option #1 – Evaluation: a professional academic evaluation
• Option #2 – Test: a nationally standardized test

A professional academic evaluation is given by an individual with one of the following qualifications:

• A teacher licensed pursuant to CRS22-33-104.5, article 60.5
• A teacher who is employed by an independent or parochial school
• A licensed psychologist
• A person with a graduate degree in education

If you plan to do an evaluation, contact your chosen evaluator at the beginning of the school year to find out if they require a portfolio or record of the child’s work.  Click here for a list of professional evaluators, and click here for a sample professional evaluation form for families who submit a Notice of Intent.

Please note: It is your responsibility to thoroughly investigate a potential evaluator. We recommend asking for references and talking to others who have used these organizations/persons’ talents.

These tests are acceptable under the Homeschool Law. (If you homeschool as part of the CHEC Independent School, additional tests are accepted; learn more here.)

• CAT (California Achievement Test)
• ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
• SAT (Stanford Achievement Test, not the college entrance exam SAT)
• Terra Nova (CTBS)
• Note: The CLT, SAT, and ACT (college entrance exams), the PARCC, STAR, TCAP, NAEP, and the MAP (Alpha Omega) do not qualify as nationally standardized achievement tests with composite results as required by Homeschool Law.

Learn more about ordering these tests here and find places that will test your student here.

A composite score above the 13th percentile is required.

Both the Homeschool Law and the CHEC Independent School policies require a nationally standardized test with composite results, and that is not fulfilled by these tests, so they are neither required or accepted.

• The TCAP is specific only to students in Colorado and is not nationally standardized.
• The NAEP is based on common core, and it’s so new that it is not nationally standarized.
• The STAR  does not deliver a composite score.

The requirements for test administrators are determined by the test publisher.  Both the ITBS and SAT require the administrator to have a bachelor’s degree.  Other testing companies allow parents to administer their tests.

If you are not qualified to give the test that you want to use, check here to find a list of qualified testers.

Find a list of companies who sell tests on our Standardized Testing page.  Or, find places that will test your student on our Professional Evaluators & Tutors page.

The test or evaluation results must be submitted to one of these:

1. The school district that received the notice of intent
2. OR an independent or parochial school within the state of Colorado that is willing to hold test scores.  If you choose this option, you must then inform the school district (that received your notice of intent) of the name of the school where the test scores are held.

The CHEC Independent School is available to store your Colorado homeschool assessment results (test scores or evaluation results, sometimes referred to as a testing repository or record storage). Learn more here.

These tests are not accepted under the Homeschool Law as nationally standardized tests.  However, high schoolers often take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT in preparation for college admission.  Learn more here.