OHIO
Testing Not Required for Graduation
Proficiency Testing
Many Ohio members have received letters from their local school district inferring that proficiency testing is mandatory for home schoolers. The letter states that proficiency testing is taking place and that children must be signed up to take the test in order to receive diplomas.
This is not true. Home educated students do not receive diplomas from the public school; they can graduate and receive diplomas from their own education program or correspondence school. However, if a child was placed back into the public school, he would have to take and pass the proficiency exam to receive a diploma.
Some school officials wrongly believe that home schoolers are required to take these tests. Ohio members who experience difficulty with their school districts are asked to contact our office for help.
End-of-Year Assessment
It is time to plan for end-of-year assessments. There are three options: (1) a standardized test administered in accordance with the publisher's requirements; (2) a written narrative prepared by an Ohio certified teacher; or (3) some other method mutually agreed upon by the superintendent and parent.
The results of the assessment must be attached to the parent's notification of intent to home school for the next school year, which should be submitted before or as soon as the public school year begins. While the superintendent can request that the parent submit the academic assessment earlier, he cannot require it.
If the parent chooses standardized testing, the composite (or total) score must be at or above the 25th percentile (NPR—national percentile ranking). If Ohio members have difficulty reading a test report to determine the score or if their child scores below the 25th percentile, they should immediately call our office for assistance.
