Evidence of Academic Progress
You must submit proof of academic progress no later than August 1. You may email your progress to Dawn.Mahoney@lcps.org
What is Academic Progress?
§ 22.1-254.1(C) The parent who elects to provide home instruction shall provide the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction with either
(i) evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test or an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test, or
(ii) 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:
(a) 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 progress; or
(b) a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school.
Children who have not turned 6 by September 30 of the first year home schooling are not required to submit evidence of academic progress.
What Are My Standardized Assessment Options?
Parents may submit their child's test scores from a nationally-normed, standardized achievement assessment of their choosing. LCPS does not maintain a list of test publishers; therefore, parents must use personal resources to locate and purchase a test for their child that meets the criteria.
Examples of nationally-normed, standardized tests include: The California Achievement Test (CAT), the IOWA Assessments, the Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10), TerraNova2, PSAT, SAT and ACT tests. Please note, Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing is not an accepted standardized test. It is considered an adaptive academic test and scores are not reported in composite stanine form.
Helpful information regarding acceptable standardized tests can be found here.
For more information about evidence of progress, including the SAT, PSAT and ACT, please click here:
VDOE Parent Handbook on Home Schooling (Updated July 1, 2018)
LCPS will not be providing additional opportunities for testing.
What Happens If My Child Does Not Score Within The Fourth Stanine Or Equivalent, As Required In The Virginia Code Above?
If your child's performance does not fall within the fourth stanine, the equivalent or higher and you continue to home school your child the following school year, then you will receive a letter from the Department of Student Services placing your home instruction program on probation. This means that our office will expect you to make academic modifications to your program so that your child's subsequent test performance improves. Parents may also consider a different assessment or method for providing proof of academic progress. Parents do not need to retest their child and submit a second set of test scores.
Parents electing to use Seton Testing Services may view their child's test scores online and print copies of the results after creating an account. This process may make it easier to submit test scores to the Department of Student Services. Questions about this process should be directed to Seton Testing Services at (800) 542-1066. This information should not be considered a recommendation of services.
What Happens If I Didn't Submit Any Evidence Of Academic Progress For My Child?
The answer above also applies to this situation.
I Am Using A Licensed Professional To Evaluate My Child Due To Her Unique Needs. What Should Be Included In The Evaluation Report?
Like standardized assessments, evaluative reports are intended to inform the school division superintendent of the student's educational growth. Text should address skill acquisition and levels of mastery achieved by content area. Evaluations should also contain the signature and credentials of the professional. As a reminder, §22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia calls for "an evaluation 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..." The Department of Student Services will require that the professional submit a copy of their teaching license or master's degree before accepting the evaluation.
How Do I Submit Proof Of My Child's Academic Progress?
Please note that there is no electronic "drop box" or submission system. Email submission is preferred.
You may scan and e-mail your child's test results, transcripts or evaluation here.
You may mail a copy of your child's test results, transcripts or evaluation to:
Loudoun County Public Schools
Department of Student Services
21000 Education Court
Ashburn, VA 20148
Attn: Dawn Mahoney
You may fax a copy of your child's test results, transcripts or evaluation to: (571) 252-1242
No cover sheet is required