Years ago, after the administrative rules regulating home schooling were passed, I had a conversation with a senior leader at the Oregon Department of Education. He was tasked with over-seeing and communicating with home schoolers in our state. He was very approachable, so I asked him, “How did the rule committee arrive at the 15th percentile as…
Most of my Oregon readers know that a total score, at or above the 15th percentile, means your student has made satisfactory progress. If so, you may proceed teaching your child for another year without involvement by the state. The 15th percentile score represents a student’s ranking compared to students nationwide. The scale is 1 (low) to…
September 1st is an important date for home schoolers. It’s the date ESD’s use to initially assign the grade level of six year olds who will be home schoolers. The administrative rules are clear that this grade level is kindergarten.* In another place seven-year-olds are identified as first graders.** Still, there remains a lot of confusion…
Hello Home Schoolers! Did the testing deadline here in Oregon sneak up on you? Unable to find an examiner to test your student before August 15? You’re not alone, and we can help! Oregon’s administrative rule regulating testing states: (5) Children in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, being taught as provided in section (4)…
Is this your first year home schooling in Oregon? If so, state law requires that you notify your Educational Service District (ESD) of your intent to homeschool. This does not have to be done until your child is 6 on September 1. This written intention should be sent within 10 days of the start of…
Compared to what we had years ago, they are very reasonable. In the 1980’s, the rules regulating home schooling were simultaneously clear and fuzzy. The first rule was clear: parents had to ask and get permission from the superintendent to home school. If granted, students were placed on a list. Then, at the superintendent’s discretion,…
Does your student want to play sports, participate in band, choir, or speech class offered through the public school? If so, they need to be tested no later than August 15, even if their chosen activity will not take place until spring of 2026. An annual achievement test is required for each year a home…
August 15 is Oregon’s deadline to have your student’s testing completed. What’s next? Potentially a request from your ESD to turn in your test results. From the administrative rules, OAR 581-021-0026: 5 c. Upon request of the superintendent of the education service district, the parent or legal guardian shall submit the results of the examination…
The deadline for testing in Oregon is August 15, 2025. Testing to comply with Oregon homeschool law is very important. Besides testing for compliance, why else would you choose to test now? Here are three reasons: If you have not tested yet and would like to, or if you know someone who needs to as…
For close to 40 years home schoolers have enjoyed a simple communication process between themselves and their Education Service District. Our legal obligation has been to notify the ESD of our intent to home school and provide them with three essential pieces of information: · Your child’s and your name along with your address. · Your child’s birth date….