New York homeschool evaluation
Who may evaluate, when, and what goes to whom, in the law's words. We name no evaluators and recommend none.
With the fourth quarterly report, file an annual assessment: a commercially published norm-referenced achievement test from the regulation's list, or an alternative written narrative by a certified teacher, a peer review panel or another person the superintendent agrees to, after an interview and a portfolio review. The narrative may be used in grades 1 to 3, and in grades 4 to 8 no more often than every other year. A test score is adequate above the 33rd percentile or with one year of growth; otherwise the program goes on probation.
Checked October 30, 2026 against New York's statute and education department. Information, not legal advice: they are the final word.
In the law's words
“The annual assessment shall include the results of a commercially published norm referenced achievement test which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision, or an alternative form of evaluation which meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision.”
“This alternative form of evaluation may be used no more often than every other school year for these grades”
“the student has a composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms”
When
- With the fourth quarterly report: File the annual assessment: a listed standardized test, or (grades 1 to 3, and every other year in grades 4 to 8) a written narrative by an approved person.
Each date is on the New York checklist with its source.
What an evaluator looks at
Whatever the method the law allows asks for, and no more than the law asks. For a review, that usually means work across the year in each subject the state names, with dates on it; for a test, the score report. Bring what fits your method:
- Dated work samples from the start, middle and end of the year: the portfolio keeps them by subject.
- The reading list and the days or hours, if New York counts them: the reading log, attendance and hours.
- Any test scores you are using: the test-score log. Which tests New York accepts.
- All of it on one printout: the evaluation packet.
What it costs
Fees vary; ask before you book. We list none, because they differ by person and change from year to year.
Ten questions to ask an evaluator
- Which of the state's allowed methods do you use, and what makes you qualified for it under the law?
- What do you want to see: how many work samples, from which months, in which subjects?
- Do you meet the child, for how long, and where?
- What do you write, and in what form does it reach the office it goes to?
- When will we have the written result, and is that before the state's date?
- What is your fee, and what does it include?
- What happens if you have a concern about progress?
- Do you keep a copy, and for how long?
- Can you see more than one child in one visit?
- Will the result say which method was used, in the law's words?
Finding one
Families usually find an evaluator through a local homeschool group or co-op; see homeschool organizations by state. Check the person against the law's own words above, not against a list: we keep no list and endorse no one.