WASHINGTON

 

Frequently asked questions

Is it true that Washington state homeschoolers need to be tested each year?

Yes. All homeschooled students ages 8 to 18 must participate in annual testing. Parents may choose between a non-test assessment such as one offered by SpritelyMind, or may opt for standardized testing.



What does the law say?

The law can be found under RCW 28A.200.010: Home-based instruction -- Duties of parents -- Exemption from high school assessment requirements. (1) Each parent whose child is receiving home-based instruction under RCW 28A.225.010 (4) shall have the duty to: (c) Ensure that a standardized achievement test approved by the state board of education is administered annually to the child by a qualified individual or that an annual assessment of the student's academic progress is written by a certificated person who is currently working in the field of education. The state board of education shall not require these children to meet the student learning goals, master the essential academic learning requirements, to take the assessments, or to obtain a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement pursuant to RCW 28A.655.061 and 28A.155.045. The standardized test administered or the annual academic progress assessment written shall be made a part of the child's permanent records. If, as a result of the annual test or assessment, it is determined that the child is not making reasonable progress consistent with his or her age or stage of development, the parent shall make a good faith effort to remedy any deficiency.



Why should I assess my student?

As the old adage goes, "you can't manage what you don't measure." Assessment is an essential component of active homeschooling. Not assessing, is leaving your student's education to chance.



I attend a virtual school or alternative learning program, do I still need to be assessed?

Possibly. See your program's testing policies to be certain. If you were required to submit a Declaration of Intent this year, and do not attend any classes or programs affiliated with a public school district, you will likely need to obtain assessment.



Is there an assessment deadline I must meet?

No, not really. Assessment must begin at the age of 8 and continue annually until the student reaches 18 or enters an educational institution, whichever comes first. Assessments may be done at any time during the calendar year.



What do your assessments cover?

Our assessments evaluate the eleven required subjects set forth by Washington homeschool law. The 11 required subjects are reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation. See: RCW 28A.225.010 (4).



My child has special needs / is gifted / twice-exceptional. Can I still use your assessments?

Absolutley! In fact, we got started designing and administering assessments specifically for a small group of twice-exceptional students. Our assessments are flexible enough to be used with any student, regardless of their abilities.



Why would someone use a Checklist?

For some homeschoolers, circumstances call for less testing, less measurement. Sometimes, all that is needed or wanted is to meet legal testing requirements without the hassle, pressure, and stress that often accompanies evaluation. There are many reasons homeschoolers choose to Checklist. Below list just a few of the reasons: •major life changes •philosophical reasons •health issues •simplicity •affordability



What do I do with my assessment results? Do I need to file them with the state or district?

Probably not. Most states, including Washington do not require that assessments be filed. However you will want to keep all assessments on file as part of your student's academic portfolio.



What is your return policy?

All sales are final. Please read the website and contact Contact@SpritelyMind.com with questions prior to purchase.



Which assessments meet the annual testing requirement?

ALL SpritelyMind assessments meet the Washington state annual homeschool testing requirement.



VIRGINIA

 

Frequently asked questions

Is it true that Virginia homeschoolers need to be tested each year?

Yes. All homeschooled students ages 5 to 18 must participate in annual testing. Parents may choose between a non-test assessment such as one offered by Virginia Untest, or may opt for standardized testing.



What does the law say?

According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), "The parent is required to submit to the local school division, by the following August 1, evidence of the child’s academic progress with... An evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress, including but not limited to: An evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progres..." § 22.1-254.1.C



I heard that only standardized tests are acceptable. Is that true?

Absolutely NOT! You DO NOT need to use a standardized test. Per Virginia law, homeschoolers may opt for a non-test assessment to meet their annual testing obligation. A non-test assessment is an evaluation of the student's progress given by a qualified person. In Virginia, a qualified person is a state certified teacher and/or a person who holds a Master's level degree. Viriginia Untest evaluators are BOTH certified and Masters holders, as well as experienced homeschoolers. Here is what the law states about annual testing: According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), "The parent is required to submit to the local school division, by the following August 1, evidence of the child’s academic progress with... An evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress, including but not limited to: An evaluation letter from a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progres..."§ 22.1-254.1.C



Is there an assessment deadline I must meet?

YES. Assessment must begin at the age of 5 and continue annually until the student reaches 18 or enters an educational institution, whichever comes first. Assessments may be done at any time during the calendar year, but must be submitted to your local district's superintendent NO LATER than AUGUST 1 of each year. Please consider this when planning for your annual assessment. It takes time to process assessments properly. Therefore, sumbissions to SpritelyMind should be submitted no later than JULY 25 to meet the deadline.



Do you offer standardized testing?

No. While we recognize and appreciate the role of standardized testing, offering them is not consistent with our core beliefs. Seriously, we prefer to keep to the principles of Alfie Kohn and John Holt with regard to testing. We believe that if a child is to be evaluated, a holistic approach should be taken where the whole child is considered. VAUT also supports the National Center for Fair and Open Testing. Read about their work on standardized testing at www.fairtest.org.



I attend a virtual school or alternative learning program, do I still need to be assessed?

Possibly. See your program's testing policies to be certain. If you were required to submit a Declaration of Intent this year, and do not attend any classes or programs affiliated with a public school district, you will likely need to obtain assessment.



What do your assessments cover?

Our assessments may evaluate up to eleven subjects including reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation. Ultimately, what is evaluated is dependent on the list of subjects submitted to the district with the Declaration of Intent, as well as the needs of the student and their family.



My child has special needs / is gifted / twice-exceptional. Can I still use your assessments?

Absolutely! In fact, we got started designing and administering assessments specifically for a small group of twice-exceptional students. Our assessments are flexible enough to be used with any student, regardless of their abilities.



Why would someone use a Checklist?

For some homeschoolers, circumstances call for less testing, less measurement. Sometimes, all that is needed or wanted is to meet legal testing requirements without the hassle, pressure, and stress that often accompanies evaluation. There are many reasons homeschoolers choose to Checklist. Below list just a few of the reasons: •major life changes •philosophical reasons •health issues •simplicity •affordability



What do I do with my assessment results? Do I need to file them with the state or district?

YES. Virginia requires that assessments be filed with the student's local school district superintendent. See your district's website for information on who to submit assessment reports to. You will also want to keep a copy of all assessments on file as part of your student's academic portfolio.



What is your return policy?

All sales are final. Please read the website and contact SpritelyMind with questions prior to purchase.



Do you offer any discounts?

Yes. We offer a 15% discount for: Orders of more than 3 assessments for the same household. Active duty military families. Discounts cannot be combined. Contact us prior to ordering to receive your coupon code.



Which assessments meet the annual homeschool testing requirement?

ALL SpritelyMind assessments meet the Virginia state annual homeschool testing requirement.



 

FLORIDA

Frequently asked questions

Is it true that Florida homeschoolers need to be tested each year?

Yes. All homeschooled students must participate in annual testing. Parents may choose between a non-test portfolio review assessment, such as one offered by SpritelyMind, or may opt for standardized testing.



What does the law say?

According to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Section 1002.41.f F.S. "The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the student’s demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability. The parent shall select the method of evaluation and shall file a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent’s office in the county in which the student resides. The annual educational evaluation shall consist of one of the following: 1. A teacher selected by the parent shall evaluate the student’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the student. Such teacher shall hold a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level..."



Why should I assess my student?

Apart from it being the law.... As the old adage goes, "you can't manage what you don't measure." Assessment is an essential component of active homeschooling. Not assessing, is leaving your student's education to chance.



I heard that only standardized tests are acceptable. Is that true?

Absolutely NOT! You DO NOT need to use a standardized test. Per Florida law, homeschoolers may opt for a non-test assessment to meet their annual testing obligation. A non-test assessment is an evaluation of the student's progress given by a qualified person. In Florida, a qualified person is a state certified teacher. Florida Untest evaluators are BOTH state certified, as well as experienced homeschoolers.



I attend a private, umbrella, virtual, or alternative learning program, do I still need to be assessed?

Possibly. See your program's testing policies to be certain. If you were required to submit a Letter of Intent this year, and do not attend any classes or programs affiliated with a public or private school, you will likely need to obtain assessment.



What do your assessments cover?

Our assessments may evaluate up to eleven subjects including reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation. Ultimately, it's the needs of the student and family that determine the extent of what is evaluated.



My child is unschooled / has special needs / is gifted / twice-exceptional, etc. Can I still use your assessments?

Absolutely! In fact, we got started designing and administering assessments specifically for a small group of twice-exceptional students. Our assessments are flexible enough to be used with any student, regardless of their abilities.



What do I do with my assessment results? Do I need to file them with the state or district?

YES Florida requires that assessments be filed with the student's local school district superintendent. See your district's website for information on who to submit assessment reports to. You will also want to keep a copy of all assessments on file as part of your student's academic portfolio. Need assistance? Contact us!



What is your return policy?

All sales are final. Please read the website and contact SpritelyMind with questions prior to purchase.



Do your assessments include meeting?

Yes. Our One on One and Portfolio Review assessments include a face to face meeting. In person and online (Skype or similar) options available.



Which assessments meet the Florida annual homeschool testing requirement?

The following SpritelyMind assessments meet the Florida state annual homeschool testing requirement. The One on One The Portfolio Review The Baseline



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