NH Homeschool Evaluation Requirements: What New Hampshire Families Actually Need to Do

New Hampshire parents starting homeschool often assume the annual evaluation works like a school report card — something that gets reviewed, graded, and filed with a government office. That assumption creates unnecessary anxiety. The reality is considerably more parent-friendly, and understanding exactly what the law requires (and what it does not) makes the whole process far less stressful.

This post walks through every evaluation option, what the results mean, and how to protect your family legally.

What New Hampshire Law Actually Requires

Under RSA 193-A, parents who have filed a Notice of Intent to homeschool must complete an annual evaluation of their child's progress. The requirement covers all subject areas included in the child's individualized education plan (the document you file at the start of each school year listing the subjects you'll cover).

That's the core obligation. What makes New Hampshire parent-friendly is what comes next: the results do not get submitted anywhere. Not to the state, not to the district, not to the participating agency (the umbrella school or district that receives your notice). Since a 2012 legislative change, RSA 193-A:7 and :8 — the old remediation provisions — were repealed outright. There is no minimum score you must hit, no remediation process triggered by a low result, and no state official who reviews what the evaluator found.

The evaluation is for your family's benefit. It is legal documentation that you are meeting your obligation to educate your child, and it stays in your possession.

The Four Legal Options for NH Homeschool Annual Evaluation

New Hampshire gives families four distinct paths. You choose one — there is no requirement to use the same method every year.

Option 1: Portfolio Review by a Certified Teacher

A New Hampshire-credentialed teacher reviews your child's portfolio of work and signs a written assessment. The evaluator must hold an active NH teaching license, hold a valid license from a state with reciprocal recognition, or be currently employed as a teacher at a New Hampshire nonpublic school.

This is the most common choice for families who use relaxed or eclectic approaches, because the evaluation is based on a body of work rather than a test score. Evaluators typically charge $35–$50 per student. The Greater Nashua Homeschool Education (GSHE) organization maintains a list of evaluators statewide, which is a practical starting point when searching.

One important nuance: evaluators vary in philosophy. Some expect organized three-ring binders with labeled dividers. Others are comfortable with project photos, a reading journal, and samples pulled from a portfolio box. If you use an unschooling or project-based approach, ask prospective evaluators about their experience with non-traditional documentation before scheduling.

Option 2: National Standardized Test

Your child takes a nationally normed standardized test administered according to the test publisher's requirements. Popular options in New Hampshire include the Iowa Assessments (IOWA), the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10), the Classic Learning Test (CLT), and the PASS test (grades 3–8).

No minimum score is required. The 40th-percentile floor that existed in older versions of the law was eliminated in 2012. The test simply has to be administered by a qualified individual as defined by the publisher — often a certified teacher or the parent if the publisher permits.

Option 3: State Assessment Through the Resident District

Your public school district is required, upon request, to allow your homeschooled child to take the same state assessments administered to enrolled students. This is rarely chosen because the state assessments are tied to the public school curriculum and the scheduling logistics can be cumbersome, but it is a valid option if it works for your family.

Option 4: Alternative Measurement by Agreement

If your child is enrolled in an online academy, a distance-learning program, or any other structured program, grades or assessments from that program can serve as the annual evaluation — provided the participating agency agrees. This option is most relevant for families using umbrella schools or accredited online programs that already produce formal transcripts or progress reports.

What the Evaluation Documentation Must Include

Regardless of which option you choose, the evaluator or you (if using a standardized test) should produce written documentation confirming the evaluation occurred and covering the subject areas in your education plan. For a portfolio review, this is the evaluator's signed written assessment. For a standardized test, retain the score report.

You keep this documentation. Store it for at least two years alongside your portfolio.

Why a Strong Portfolio Matters Even When Results Stay Private

Because evaluation results are never submitted anywhere, some families ask whether they need to take the process seriously. The answer is yes — but for a different reason than state compliance.

New Hampshire's child protection statutes define educational neglect broadly enough that a failure to educate can theoretically be reported to the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). In practice this is rare, but if your family ever faces an investigation, a well-documented annual evaluation is your clearest evidence that you fulfilled your legal obligation.

A thin portfolio or a missing evaluation document does not trigger automatic consequences under homeschool law (because the remediation provisions are gone), but it leaves you without a paper trail at precisely the moment you'd want one. A thorough annual evaluation — and keeping the documentation for several years — is cheap insurance.

Choosing the Right Option for Your Family

For most New Hampshire families, the decision comes down to learning style and personality:

• Relaxed and eclectic homeschoolers tend to prefer the portfolio review because it accommodates diverse evidence of learning.
• Families with children who test well and want an objective benchmark often prefer standardized testing.
• Families using a structured accredited curriculum or online program usually find the alternative measurement route easiest because the program already generates the required documentation.

There is no wrong choice. You can switch methods from year to year without notifying anyone.

If you're still working through the earlier steps — filing the Notice of Intent, understanding what subjects to list, or navigating withdrawal from public school — the New Hampshire Legal Withdrawal Blueprint covers the full sequence from first notice to first evaluation, including templates and a step-by-step compliance checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell the district which evaluation option I'm using? No. Your Notice of Intent lists the subjects you'll cover. You are not required to disclose your evaluation method or share results with anyone.

What if the evaluator says my child isn't making progress? There is no mandatory reporting requirement and no remediation process. The evaluator's finding stays with you. If you receive concerning feedback, you can use it to adjust your approach — but there are no legal consequences tied to the evaluation outcome.

How far in advance do I need to schedule an evaluator? Portfolio review evaluators in New Hampshire can book up during April and May. If you plan to use a certified teacher evaluator, reach out in February or March to ensure availability.

Does the evaluation have to happen by a specific date? The law requires it annually. The Notice of Intent is filed by August 1 (or within 30 days of starting), and the evaluation covers the school year just completed. Most families schedule evaluations in May or June.

Can the same teacher evaluate siblings? Yes. Most evaluators will conduct portfolio reviews for multiple children in the same family in a single appointment, which reduces both cost and scheduling burden.

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