Hope Scholarship Portfolio Requirements and Certified Teacher Evaluator Guide

Every Hope Scholarship student must complete an annual academic assessment by June 30. Unlike traditional West Virginia homeschoolers — who submit assessments only in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 — Hope families face this requirement every single year. You have two options, and the one you choose shapes how much preparation you need and who you'll work with.

Option 1: Nationally Normed Standardized Test

Your child takes an approved nationally normed standardized achievement test covering reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies (where available for the grade level). The test must produce a national percentile ranking.

The benchmark: your child needs to score at or above the 23rd national percentile, or demonstrate adequate growth relative to their prior year's baseline performance. If your child scores below the 23rd percentile, the growth provision is the alternative assessment standard.

One critical detail: the WV General Summative Assessment (the state's public school test) is specifically disqualified. You need a separate nationally normed exam — options like the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, or Peabody Individual Achievement Test. Check with your testing provider that the specific edition they administer qualifies as nationally normed.

Option 2: Certified Teacher Portfolio Evaluation

If standardized testing doesn't suit your child — whether due to test anxiety, learning differences, or simply preferring a narrative assessment — you can submit a written portfolio evaluation conducted by a certified teacher who holds a valid West Virginia teaching credential.

The evaluator reviews your child's work samples, curriculum materials, and progress documentation across the required subject areas: reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. They produce a written narrative assessment of your child's academic progress.

Finding a qualified evaluator is the main challenge. The evaluator must hold active West Virginia teacher certification — an out-of-state credential doesn't qualify. The West Virginia Home Educators Association (WVHEA) maintains a directory of certified evaluators willing to work with homeschool and Hope families, and local homeschool co-ops often share recommendations.

Plan ahead on timing. Many evaluators book up by April and May as the June 30 deadline approaches. If you're choosing the portfolio route, reach out to potential evaluators no later than March to schedule your review session.

What to Include in a Portfolio

While the state doesn't publish a rigid portfolio template, evaluators typically expect:

• Work samples from each subject area spanning the school year — not just end-of-year projects but a progression showing growth
• Curriculum documentation listing the programs, textbooks, or resources used
• Reading logs or book lists demonstrating consistent literacy engagement
• Any test or quiz scores from curriculum-embedded assessments, if available
• A brief narrative from the parent describing the educational approach and any adjustments made during the year

The evaluator writes the formal assessment — your job is to provide the raw materials they need to make their evaluation thorough and defensible.

Submission and What Happens Next

Results from either assessment option must be submitted through the Hope portal (or to the county, depending on current Board instructions) by June 30 of each participating school year. This is separate from the June 15 Continued Participation Confirmation deadline; missing the CPC deadline results in account deactivation and loss of the 100% award tier for the upcoming year.

If a test score is below the threshold and does not show adequate growth, it does not meet the stated assessment standard. Check with the Board for current instructions on next steps.

The assessment requirement is the most visible trade-off between the Hope Scholarship and traditional homeschooling. Under Exemption C, you report in four grade bands across your child's school career. Under the Hope Scholarship's Exemption M, you report every year. The West Virginia Hope Scholarship Parent Guide includes an assessment planner and compliance calendar to keep both deadlines and documentation organized.

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