Sorry for the long title, but I wanted it to be specific since there has been confusion about doing an assessment for the child(ren) you have homeschooled. The first question to answer is: Are you going to continue homeschooling for this coming school year? If the answer is no, then you do not need to do anything. Enroll your children in school and the administration will decide what needs to be done in order for your student to be placed in school. Some school districts may say that you need to submit an assessment, but the majority do not.
If you homeschooled last year and you are continuing, you will need to do an assessment. This can be either 1. a standardized test or 2. an Academic Assessment Report or 3. something that both your superintendent and you agree upon. (I am not going to really address that here since I beieve these are the two most common.)
If you choose to do a standardized test and are having your student not take it online, you need to order tests as soon as possible to ensure you will have the results in time for you to notify for this coming school year. Seton Testing has a fantastic test comparison chart so you can decide which test you’d like to use. Note: If you have a student who finished K-2, they can only take specific tests and are not eligible for others. I suggest that you select the same test to use annually so you can compare test results from year to year.
If you choose to do an academic assessment, be sure that you have a currently licensed (certified) teacher for Ohio. This is the simplest way of doing it, but if you have someone in mind who has an expired license or is licensed in a different state, you can request the superintendent agree (in writing) that they do it for you.
So, what will you need for the assessment? Each assessor’s requirements differ, but all of us must determine that progress has been made by your student. Be sure to check with the assessor to see what they need. I ask that you have proof of progress. This can be workbook pages, screen shots of online classes, progress reports, tests, certificates of participation or completion, videos, lists of books read or read aloud, pictures, etc. If you are not following a traditional curriculum, are unschooling, or did hands-on projects, a short paragraph of what the student learned are fine. If you have questions, feel free to contact me. I have additional information on my blog about prices and scheduling a review for your student. (See Academic Assessment Tab) You do not need to be local in order for me to do an assessment for you. I am primarily meeting with people via Zoom. This eliminates you having to drive to my house, saving you time and money. You can schedule an appointment through this app I am using: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio
After your assessor has given you the completed Academic Assessment Report , you will send a copy of this, along with the Ohio Home Education Notification Form to your superintendent’s office no later than the week that your student’s school building begins. So, if school begins on August 18, your paperwork must be received by that date. Otherwise, your student is considered truant. Think of it this way, your child would be starting school that day if attending, so all of your paperwork needs to be sent in by that date. I would have paperwork turned in the first week of August to avoid confusion, should you be questioned. Send by registered mail with a return receipt. This is your proof that the superintendent’s office received your notification. Do not drop off the paperwork, even if the office is next door. You have no way of substantiating that you submitted paperwork. Things get crazy that time of the year for them and paperwork has been known to get lost.
If I can be assistance, please let me know. I am always glad to help.
Have a great week! ~Lisa~
Schoolmarm Ohio 