1. What are my legal options in satisfying the state's interest in my child's academic progress?
You have two options under Iowa law to verify that your student is making progress. You can work with a supervising teacher or you can arrange for annual assessmentand provide evidence of educational progress.
When you choose to work with a supervising teacher, you are not required to provide the state with annual assessment evidence. The supervising teacher is expected to monitor the progress of your student and make recommendations as necessary.
When you choose an annual assessment, you can select one of three evaluation tools:
a standardized test
a portfolio evaluation
a report from an accredited correspondence school
By May 1 (depending upon the choice of annual assessment selected from the list above):
the student must have completed the standardized testing
the parent must have completed the portfolio, received approval for the portfolio evaluator, and delivered the portfolio to the evaluator
the report from the accredited correspondence school must be requested
Results are only required in specific subject areas:
for grades 1-5: reading, language, and mathematics.
for grades 6 & beyond: reading or literary materials, language or written expression, mathematics or quantitative thinking, science, and social studies.
Annual assessment results must meet minimum levels in order to demonstrate academic progress:
standardized test composite scores must be above the 30th percentile (nationally-normed) and either at or above the grade level or showing 6 months' progress over the last testing result in the specified assessment subject areas.
portfolio evaluation by an Iowa certified teacher must verify that your student has demonstrated adequate progress in the specified assessment subject areas.
report from an accredited correspondence school must indicate passing grades in all of the specified assessment subject areas.
Annual assessment results must be sent to the local school district of residence by June 30.
2. How do I find out what school district should receive my forms and information?
All required forms and reports should be sent to your school district of residence unless you have requested open enrollment into another school district.
Serving Families Homeschooling in Iowa - Since 1992 Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators - Box 158, Dexter, IA, 50070 - (515) 830-1614 - (800) 723-0438 in Iowa