Colorado Homeschool Testing Requirements, What You Actually Need to Know

One of the most common questions Colorado homeschool parents ask is:

"Which standardized test am I supposed to use?"

The good news is that Colorado's homeschool law is more flexible than many families realize.

In fact, Colorado homeschool students are not required to participate in Colorado's public-school testing system. Instead, families must complete either a nationally standardized achievement test or a professional evaluation at specific grade levels to satisfy state homeschool requirements.

Let's break down exactly what the law says and what your options are.

When Are Homeschool Assessments Required in Colorado?

Colorado homeschool law requires an academic assessment for students in:

• 3rd Grade

• 5th Grade

• 7th Grade

• 9th Grade

• 11th Grade

Families may satisfy this requirement in one of two ways:

Option 1: Professional Evaluation

A qualified evaluator reviews your student's educational progress and prepares a written evaluation. Many homeschooling families prefer this option because it allows their child to be assessed as an individual rather than through a standardized test score.

Option 2: Nationally Standardized Achievement Test

Families may choose to administer a nationally standardized achievement test instead of obtaining a professional evaluation. The test results serve as documentation that the student is making educational progress as required by Colorado law.

Do Homeschool Students Take Colorado State Tests?

No.

Colorado homeschool students are not required to take Colorado's public-school assessments, such as:

• CMAS

• PSAT

• Colorado SAT

• Other state accountability tests

These assessments are designed for Colorado's public-school system and are separate from homeschool compliance requirements. This is one of the most common areas of confusion for families transitioning from public school to homeschooling.

Common Standardized Tests Used by Colorado Homeschoolers

Colorado law requires a nationally standardized achievement test, and homeschool families commonly use tests such as:

California Achievement Test (CAT)

The CAT is one of the most popular choices among homeschool families because it is affordable, straightforward, and can often be administered at home.

Iowa Assessments

Formerly known as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Iowa Test of Educational Development, these assessments are widely recognized and commonly accepted for homeschool reporting purposes.

TerraNova

The TerraNova is another nationally standardized achievement test frequently used by homeschool families throughout the country.

Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test

This assessment is administered by a qualified professional and provides detailed information about a student's academic strengths and weaknesses.

Stanford Achievement Test

The Stanford Achievement Test is a nationally standardized achievement test.

Important: This is not the same as the college entrance SAT administered by the College Board.

MAP Growth (NWEA)

Many homeschool families appreciate MAP Growth because it measures academic growth over time rather than simply comparing students to grade-level expectations.

CLT Assessments

Some Colorado homeschool families use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) assessments for older students, particularly at the high school level.

Tests That Do Not Meet Colorado Homeschool Requirements

Parents are often surprised to learn that some familiar tests do not satisfy Colorado homeschool law.

Examples include:

• College Entrance SAT

• ACT

• CMAS

• PARCC

• TCAP

• NAEP

While these assessments may serve other purposes, they are not generally used to fulfill Colorado's homeschool assessment requirement.

Understanding the 13th Percentile Rule

Before choosing a standardized test, it is important to understand what Colorado law requires if a student scores at or below the 13th percentile. Colorado's homeschool law uses the 13th percentile as a benchmark for determining whether a student is making adequate academic progress. If a student scores above the 13th percentile, no additional action is generally required. If a student scores at or below the 13th percentile, additional steps may be required to demonstrate academic progress. Depending on the circumstances, this may include retesting, using a different assessment method, or participating in an Academic Support Plan and if sufficient improvement is not achieved, you may be required to put your student in public school.

For this reason, families should carefully consider whether standardized testing is the best assessment option for their child before selecting a testing pathway.

Important for Families Filing a Notice of Intent (NOI)

Families who homeschool under Colorado's Notice of Intent statute should understand that low test scores may trigger additional reporting requirements. If assessment results indicate a student has scored at or below the 13th percentile and the results are submitted to an umbrella school or other receiving school, Colorado law requires the school to notify the school district where the family's Notice of Intent was filed. This is one reason it is important to understand the potential implications of standardized testing before choosing an assessment method.

Students with Special Needs

For students with significant learning disabilities, developmental delays, cognitive impairments, or other special circumstances, a professional evaluation may be a better fit than a standardized achievement test.

A standardized test compares a student to national grade-level norms. While that information can be helpful for some students, it does not always provide an accurate picture of growth for children who learn differently.

A professional evaluator can assess educational progress based on the student's individual abilities, goals, growth, and learning circumstances. This often provides a more meaningful evaluation of progress while still satisfying Colorado's homeschool assessment requirement.

Every child deserves to be evaluated fairly, and for many special-needs students, a professional evaluation allows their accomplishments and growth to be recognized in a way that a standardized test simply cannot capture.

Statheros Perspective: If your child has significant special needs, learning differences, or struggles with standardized testing, it may be wise to discuss your options with a qualified evaluator before choosing a testing pathway. Selecting the right assessment method from the beginning can help ensure your child's progress is measured appropriately and reduce unnecessary stress for both parent and student.

Where Do Assessment Results Go?

Colorado law allows assessment results to be submitted to:

• The school district receiving your Notice of Intent, or

• An independent or parochial school in Colorado, and the school district holidng the NOI must be notified where the results are being held.

  
  

Families should keep copies of:

• Test score reports

• Professional evaluations

• Attendance records

• Other homeschool documentation

Good record keeping makes compliance simple and helps protect your family should questions ever arise.

Which Option Is Best?

There is no single "best" choice. Some families appreciate the objective data that comes from standardized testing. Others prefer the flexibility and individualized feedback that comes with a professional evaluation.

The right choice depends on your child, your homeschool style, and your family's goals.

Standardized Testing May Be a Good Fit If:

• Your child generally performs well on tests.

• You would like a nationally normed comparison.

• You enjoy objective academic data.

• Your student does not have significant testing anxiety.

• Your student is college bound and needs experience with test to prepare for college entrance and scholarship applications.

A Professional Evaluation May Be a Good Fit If:

• Your child learns differently than traditional grade-level expectations.

• Your student has special needs or unique educational circumstances.

• You would like individualized feedback rather than a test score.

• Your child struggles with testing anxiety.

• You want your student's progress evaluated in the context of their personal growth and abilities.

Need Help Meeting Colorado's Assessment Requirement?

Families enrolled in Statheros Academy receive one professional evaluation during each assessment year as part of their enrollment benefits. Families who file a Notice of Intent may also purchase professional evaluations separately when needed. Whether you choose testing or an evaluation, understanding your options before assessment time arrives can help you make the best decision for your student.

The Long and Short of It All...

Colorado homeschool law gives families flexibility.

You do not need to participate in Colorado's public-school testing system. Instead, you may choose either a nationally standardized achievement test or a qualified evaluator's assessment at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Before selecting an assessment method, consider your child's learning style, testing abilities, and individual needs. For some students, standardized testing is a great fit. For others, a professional evaluation provides a more accurate and meaningful picture of educational progress.

Whichever option you choose, keep good records, submit your documentation when required, and focus on what matters most: helping your child continue making meaningful educational progress.