Colorado Homeschool Tests and Evaluations

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s time to begin planning your student’s assessment and to make sure you understand your options for Colorado homeschool tests and evaluations.

Before we get into the details, there’s one important distinction:

Not Enrolled with Statheros and need to know how to fulfill your requirement for homeschool tests and evaluations in Colorado?

If you are homeschooling under a Notice of Intent (NOI) in Colorado:

• You are required to complete an assessment in odd-numbered grades, beginning in 3rd grade

• Your options are:

  • A nationally norm-referenced standardized test

  • A professional evaluation

Results must be submitted to the school district where you filed your NOI. If you are enrolled in another umbrella school besides Statheros, you must follow your school’s policies, as each school sets its own requirements.

Statheros Families: Your Assessment Requirement

Families enrolled with Statheros operate under non-public school law, not homeschool law. Because of this, we establish our own assessment policy:

Students must complete an assessment every other year, beginning in:

• 3rd grade, or

• Age 8 for students with significant special needs who are not completing typical academic work

• All results must be submitted no later than June 30

• Results must be uploaded inside the member's portal of our website

You have flexibility in how you meet this requirement.

Your 3 Assessment Options

You may complete one of the following:

• Parent Evaluation

• Professional Evaluation

• Standardized Test

You may choose different options for different children.

Which Assessment Option Should You Choose?

Use this quick guide to confidently choose the best fit for your student. Click each option below to expand and see which one is the best fit for your student.

Choose a Parent Evaluation if:

• You want a customized flexible option

• You prefer to assess your child yourself

• You want a whole-child reflection—not just academics

• You have a child with a physical disability or a mental or behavioral health disorder

Choose a Professional Evaluation if:

• You want an outside, objective review

• You prefer having an official statement of progress on file

• You want reassurance that you’re on track

• You don’t want to administer a test

• You don't want to take the time to do a Parent Evaluation

Choose Standardized Testing if:

• You prefer measurable, academic data

• Your child tests well and isn’t stressed by testing

• You want percentile-based performance results

• You’re comfortable coordinating testing on your own

• You have a high school student who is college bound, focus on the ACT or SAT

Option 1: Parent Evaluation

The Parent Evaluation is a structured, guided reflection that you complete for each student.

This is a whole-child evaluation, not just an academic checklist.

It helps you assess:

• Strengths and growth

• Areas needing support

• How your homeschool is functioning overall

• What you want to do next year

You will choose between two versions of the Parent Evaluation: one designed for neurotypical students, and one designed for students who have a physical disability or a mental or behavioral health disorder, allowing you to select the format that best reflects your child’s development and learning.

This tool is designed to give you clarity and direction—not just fulfill a requirement. You may complete one at any time, but we require submission once every other year at the end of the school year.

Please note, Parent Evaluations are not to be taken lightly or to quickly check a box, they must be done thoroughly with care and attention.

Option 2: Professional Evaluation

The Professional Evaluation provides an outside review of your student’s progress.

Here’s how it works:

• You submit samples of your student’s work

• The evaluator reviews the work for progress (each evaluator has their own system and method)

• You receive an official statement of progress, (which must have the evaluator's credentials on the letter

• This is added to your student’s file

We encourage families to work with our Professional Evaluator, Kim Almas, but you are free to use any "'Qualified person' (which) means an individual who is selected by the parent of a child who is participating in a nonpublic home-based educational program to evaluate such child's progress and who is a teacher licensed pursuant to article 60.5 of this title, a teacher who is employed by an independent or parochial school, a licensed psychologist, or a person with a graduate degree in education. "(Colorado Revised Statutes Title 22. Education § 22-33-104.5. Home-based education--guidelines--legislative declaration--definitions)

Option 3: Standardized Testing

If you prefer standardized testing:

• You will select and purchase a test from an approved provider

• You will follow the testing company’s instructions

• You will submit results through the member portal

Some enrichment programs administer tests which can be used to fulfill this requirement

See our post for accepted tests.

Still Need Help Deciding?

If you’re unsure which option is best, these podcast episodes will walk you through it:

• Demystifying Homeschool Evaluations

• Live Coaching Call: Tracking Attendance, Evaluations, Standardized Tests, and Umbrella School Information

• How do we test or do an evaluation? What records do I keep?

• Live Coaching Call: Evaluations, Learning Pace, Customizing Learning, & Special Needs

A Final Word

There is no single “right” way to complete your assessment. The goal is to choose the option that best reflects your child’s growth and supports your homeschool with clarity and intention.

If you have questions, I’m here to help.