West Virginia

Parents must provide a one-time notice of intent to the county superintendent. If the child is enrolled in a public school, this notice shall be provided on or before the date homeschooling is to begin. The notice must include the name, address, age, and grade level of any child to be homeschooled; assurance that the child will be instructed and assessed annually; and evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Upon moving to a new county, parents must provide a new one-time notice of intent. Parents must notify the county superintendent when homeschooling is terminated if a student is still of compulsory attendance age. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(A, B, C).

High school diploma or equivalent. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(B).

None.

Parents must provide assurance that the student is receiving instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(C).

Parents must maintain copies of each child’s academic assessments for three years. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(D).

Parents must submit an academic assessment to the county superintendent by June 30 following grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Students may be assessed through one of a number of different measures: (1) By a nationally normed standardized achievement test in the subjects of reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies. This test must be administered in accordance with the test’s published instructions and may be administered by the parent. A score at or above the 23rd percentile, or showing improvement from the previous year’s results, is considered acceptable progress. (2) By participating at a public school in the testing program currently in use in the state’s public schools. The child is considered to have made acceptable progress based on the guidelines of the state testing program. (3) By a portfolio evaluation by a certified teacher. The certified teacher must review a portfolio of samples of the child’s work and prepare a written narrative that indicates whether the child has made progress in accordance with the child’s abilities. This narrative must include a statement about the child’s progress in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies, and must note any areas that show need for improvement or remediation. (4) Via a mutually agreed upon alternative assessment that includes criteria for whether acceptable progress has been made.  See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(E); See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(C).

If a student’s annual assessment does not show acceptable progress, the parents and the persons providing instruction must initiate a remedial plan. The local school board must notify the parents of testing for special needs. Should acceptable progress not be made the following year, the parents must submit evidence to the local superintendent that appropriate instruction is being provided. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(D). Should there be “clear and convincing evidence” of educational neglect or “other compelling reasons to deny home instruction,” the county superintendent may seek an order to halt homeschooling. See W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2).

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