Most states require some sort of annual assessment or test to show the status of the child's learning. In North Carolina, the requirements are listed below:

Nationally Standardized Testing Requirement

Home Schools

In accordance with G.S. 115C-564, the home school chief administrator is required to administer a nationally standardized test or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement to each enrolled student on an annual basis.

Test Qualifications:

• Nationally standardized reporting scores as at least GE/AE, National Percentile rank

• Measure achievement

• Cover: English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics.

The chief administrator is responsible for obtaining and/or scheduling the nationally standardized test at some time during the school year. DNPE, nor the public school provide the test or funding for the tests.

Some tests may be administered within the home and others require a certified administrator; consult the requirements of the selected test and their vendor for specific information.

The test results must be kept on file at the home school for at least one year thereafter. Failure to retain test results may jeopardize your child's proper grade placement when seeking enrollment in a conventional school. The test results must also be made available for inspection upon request by the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

It is highly recommended that ALL test scores be retained for future reference in the student’s personal file within the home school. DNPE recommends to NEVER discard test scores. These test scores are an objective means of substantiating both legal compliance and progress to outside agencies if necessary.

Machined-scored assessments are not required nor is there a minimum score requirement on any nationally standardized test for any home school student. North Carolina public school End-of-Grade tests are also not required and typically cannot be administered to home school students

Reference:

https://ncadmin.nc.gov/divisions/non-public-education/home-schools/standardized-testing

Also note: The state does not dictate which test must be given or who is to administer it. Because of the NC compulsory attendance law, if your students are younger than seven, they are not required to be in school, therefore, are not required to be tested. 

Some examples and explanations include:

Commonly Used Nationally Standardized Tests

All homeschooled students are required to receive a yearly nationally standardized achievement test. By law, this test must measure achievement in the areas of English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics. The most commonly used achievement tests are the Cat/5®, the TerraNova (CAT 6), the Woodcock Johnson, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Stanford Achievement Test..

Tests may also be ordered and administered individually.

Below are descriptions of commonly used tests.

ACT
The ACT college readiness assessment is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions. If the essay section is included, the ACT also meets the NC homeschool testing requirement. The ACT code for NC is 969-999.   Cost: $70

BASI Basic Achievement Skills Inventory
BASI is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades 3-12.
Covers: English grammar, reading, spelling, math  Administered by Parent?: Yes   Format: Paper and on a computer in a testing center   Is the test Timed?: Yes   Time: 2 hours   Cost: ~$35

Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills (IED III Standardized)
The Brigance is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades k-9
Covers: English grammar, reading, spelling, math  Administered by Parent?: Yes   Format: Some paper, but mostly given orally In person   Is the test Timed?: Yes   Time: 1 hour   Notes: The main use of Brigance is to determine where a child may have learning difficulties or if a child may be above average. The BRIGANCE IED III and the IED III Standardized are often used together for a more in depth understanding of a child’s needs. The IED III Standardized complies with North Carolina statute.   Cost: ~$85+

California Achievement Test (CAT)
The California Achievement Test was published in 1970 and is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades K-12.
Covers: English, math, reading, science, writing (Note: Spelling section must be added to comply with NC law)  Administered by Parent?: Yes   Format: Paper and Online   Is the test Timed?: From most providers, yes (Untimed tests must be nationally normed) Time: 5.5 Hours

California Achievement Test (Cat/5®) Complete Battery or Survey
The California Achievement Test®, Fifth Edition (CAT/5®) is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades K-12.
Covers: English usage, reading, spelling, math, science (optional), social studies (optional), study skills (optional)   Administered by Parent?: Yes  Format: Paper and Online   Is the test Timed?: Yes  Time: 2  to 5.5 Hours   Notes: The test was normed in 1992, The Not-Timed CAT/5® doesn’t comply with North Carolina statute. If you order the CAT/5 Survey, be sure that it tests for spelling. Cost: ~$40

TerraNova 1st Edition or TerraNova 2nd Edition (CAT 6)
The TerraNova test is a nationally recognized, norm-referenced, standardized achievement test for grades K-12.
Covers: English usage, reading, spelling, math, social studies (optional), science (optional).  Administered by Parent?: Yes   Format: Paper   Is the test Timed?: Yes   Time: 2 to 5.5 hours   Notes: Social studies and science sections aren’t required per North Carolina statute.   Cost: ~$40

CTP
The Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) assesses reading, listening, vocabulary, writing (and spelling), mathematics, and science for grades 2-11. The 1st grade test does not comply with NC statutes. Administered by Parent? Only online through CTP partners  Format: Paper and online  Is the test Timed?: Grades 2 and 3 are untimed, grades 4 – 11 are timed Time: Varies by grade level   Cost: ~$65

Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Iowa Test of Educational Development
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades K-8. The Iowa Test of Educational Development is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades 9-12.
Covers: English grammar, reading, spelling, math, social studies, science  Administered by Parent?: Paper with a bachelor’s degree, online Yes   Format: Paper and online   Is the test Timed?: Yes   Time: 2-6hours  Notes: Social studies and science sections aren’t required per North Carolina statute.  Cost: $40

Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS)
The PASS test is specifically designed for homeschoolers and is for grades 3-8.
Covered: Reading, math, language  Administered by Parent?: Yes   Format: Paper   Is the test Timed?: No  Notes: The test should be administered at the beginning and the end of the school year   Cost:  ~$38 per test

The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)
The The Stanford Achievement Test is a nationally standardized achievement test for grades K-12.
Covers: English grammar, reading, spelling, math, social studies, science  Administered by Parent?: Paper with a bachelor’s degree, online bachelor’s degree not required   Format: Paper grades k-12, online grades 3-12    Is the test Timed?: No   Notes: Social studies and science sections aren’t required per North Carolina statute.   Cost: ~$40

Woodcock Johnson IV Tests of Achievement
The Woodcock Johnson is a nationally standardized test which is professionally given by a tester suitable for ages two to ninety-nine.
Covers: English grammar, reading, spelling, math (Basic version includes fluency scores). Science and social studies also available.  Administered by Parent? No   Format: Some paper, but mostly given orally In person or online  Is the test Timed?: Most of the test is untimed   Time: About 1 hour   Cost: Cost for English grammar, reading, spelling, math ~$60, Cost for basic achievement test ~$100

Reference:

Testing and Testing Services 

How Time4Learning Can Help With North Carolina Test Prep

Time4Learning is an online learning program that teaches many of the skills that are measured on standardized tests. Families can look to Time4Learning as one of the primary tools in their North Carolina test prep toolbox. One of the most frequently asked questions Time4Learning members ask is “How can I help my child succeed on standardized tests?”

Below is a list of ways that our online home education program partners with parents and students toward this goal.

• Subscribers have access to an entire year’s worth of grade-level curriculum that students can access 24/7 from the comfort of home or anywhere with an internet connection.

• Students in grades 3-8 have access to practice assessments that will help them prepare for the North Carolina standardized tests and reduce test anxiety.

• By using Time4Learning as a summer learning tool, rising third graders can take advantage of our standards-based reading program to prepare for the BOG Reading Test.

• Time4MathFacts teaches crucial math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through gamified lessons as part of the Time4Learning membership. This piece of our main curriculum assists students in preparing for EOG testing in mathematics.

• Our middle school curriculum includes over 4,000 activities designed to instill skill mastery in language arts, math, science, and social studies. Animated lessons, instructional videos, worksheets, quizzes, tests, and both online and offline projects give students a wide variety of ways to prepare for North Carolina final exams.

• Time4Learning’s high school curriculum correlates to state standards and is designed to help students achieve college and career readiness. When preparing for EOC tests in math, biology, and English, having a self-paced program that reinforces core concepts can be an incredible boost for testing confidence.

• Time4Learning members are able to work at their own pace and repeat any lesson as many times as they feel is necessary–helping ELL students to thoroughly understand and master a subject before moving on.

Through preparation and practice, your child can achieve successful results when taking standardized tests in North Carolina. In addition, skill-building programs like Time4Learning can prepare your child and build their confidence before they walk in the door.

Reference:

Standardized Test Prep in North Carolina | Time4Learning 

Are there any other options to annual testing? Yes!

There is the option given to all public school students to refuse standardized testing. It is not a widely used method so the link with more information is included below. As a parent, you have the right to choose what is best for your child. Homeschoolers are not registered public schoolers but you have already taken your parent Constitutional right to make education decisions since you now control all of the decisions.

Refusing involves invoking a parent or guardian’s Constitutional right to make important educational decisions for children. 

Reference:

Opt-Out / Refusal Acts 

You also have the option to officially UNSCHOOL your child. 

John Holt, an American author and educator who pioneered youth rights theory, coined the term unschooling in the 1970s. He defined it as “taking children out of school.” Today, it is an educational approach focused on self-directed learning tied to a child’s interests. It prioritizes community immersion, asking parents to forget the books, desks, tests and even the teacher. Instead, children have the freedom to choose what they learn and follow their curiosities.

It is different from homeschooling in that there are no structured tests or assignments. And, the parent does not fill the role of a teacher.

This form of homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but many have different policies on how to report learning outcomes. North Carolina is known for its favorable education choice policies including an Education Savings Account and two voucher programs that assist families with funding.

This could be one of the reasons why the state’s growth in homeschooling outpaces the national trend.

Reference:

Unschooling Movement in North Carolina 

If you are interested in joining the Facebook group Unschoolers of North Carolina, click here.

Worried about your child's future if you choose to unschool?

Unschoolers are able to attend college by completing SAT prep training or attending North Carolina’s free homeschool community college program.