Hope Scholarship Testing Requirements: Annual Assessment Rules for WV Families

Every Hope Scholarship family in West Virginia must submit academic assessment results by June 30 under W. Va. Code §18-31-8(a)(4)(A). The annual renewal also requires proof of assessment compliance. Unlike traditional homeschoolers who test only at grades 3, 5, 8, and 11, Hope families assess every single year.

Two Assessment Options

The Hope Scholarship Board gives families exactly two paths. You pick one each year — there is no third option.

Option 1: Nationally Normed Standardized Achievement Test. The test must cover Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies when available for the child's grade level. The student must score at or above the 23rd national percentile or demonstrate adequate growth relative to their prior year's baseline performance. Common tests that meet the standard include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, and CAT (California Achievement Test). The WV General Summative Assessment is specifically disqualified — you cannot use the state's own public school test.

Option 2: Certified Teacher Portfolio Evaluation. A certified teacher holding a valid West Virginia teaching credential reviews a written narrative portfolio of the student's work. The evaluator must be a certified teacher — not a parent, relative, or uncertified tutor. The evaluation results in a written narrative confirming the student's academic progress.

The June 30 Deadline

Assessment results must be submitted through the Hope portal by June 30 of each participating school year. Annual renewal also requires a Continued Participation Confirmation by June 15 and proof of assessment compliance. Submit both on time to maintain eligibility and renewal.

The practical timeline works backward from that date: schedule testing no later than mid-May to leave room for score delivery. Standardized test results from national testing services can take 2–4 weeks to arrive. Portfolio evaluations are faster if you have a relationship with a certified teacher, but finding one willing to review homeschool portfolios can take time in rural counties.

What Happens If Scores Are Low

A standardized test score below the 23rd percentile can still meet the stated standard if the student demonstrates adequate growth relative to the prior year's baseline. The program's other assessment option is a certified teacher portfolio evaluation. If neither standard is met, confirm the next compliance step with the Hope Scholarship Board.

Choosing Between Tests and Portfolios

Standardized tests produce objective scores with clear pass/fail lines — families who want clean, unambiguous compliance documentation often prefer them. Portfolio evaluations offer more flexibility for students whose strengths don't show well on timed standardized tests, but they depend on finding a qualified evaluator.

In practice, portfolio evaluations are more common among families with younger children (K–3) or students with learning differences who test poorly under timed conditions. Older students applying for college or dual enrollment often benefit from having standardized test scores on record anyway.

How This Differs from Traditional Homeschool Testing

Traditional Exemption C homeschoolers in West Virginia test only at four grade checkpoints: 3, 5, 8, and 11. Hope Scholarship families test every year. The subjects tested are the same five areas, and the results go to different authorities — Exemption C results go to the local county superintendent, while Hope assessment results are submitted through the Hope portal.

This is the core trade-off of Exemption M: annual accountability in exchange for $5,435.62 per child per year. The West Virginia Hope Scholarship Parent Guide includes an assessment planning timeline and details on finding certified evaluators in your area.

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