A Georgia homeschool organization recently held two PSAT/NMSQT testing days just for homeschool students. The event was crucial, because they were being turned away from public school tests.
In October, 43 homeschool students were able to take the test at the Northeast Independent Preparatory Academy in metro Atlanta, with their own proctors and staff.
This would not have been possible without the dedication of Michelle Shaw, who directs the academy. Last year, when homeschool students across Georgia were being turned away from taking the ACT, PSAT, and SAT in local public schools, HSLDA worked with Michelle to set up a meeting with College Board leadership.
The College Board was sympathetic to these issues and, over the course of the winter, worked with Michelle to approve her location to administer the PSAT. That hard work was rewarded this spring with a homeschool testing day for the exam.
“It was wonderful for us to be able to offer an uncomplicated, seamless testing experience for homeschoolers thanks to the help of the attorneys at HSLDA,” Michelle said. “Also, the people at the College Board were very helpful throughout the process.”
HSLDA has worked with other homeschool groups across the nation to set up similar meetings with the College Board. As a result, a homeschool group in Arizona was also approved by the College Board to administer the PSAT to its students this fall.
Background
As the number of homeschool students has grown across the nation, we have received increasing reports of homeschool students unable to take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT in local public schools.
The PSAT is one of several standardized tests owned and administered by the College Board. Taking the test helps students prepare for the SAT, which many colleges use when evaluating applicants for admission. The PSAT/NMSQT is also the only means by which students can compete for education funds through the National Merit Scholarship Program—which can total more than $50,000 for some students.
Some states have addressed the testing access issue by passing legislation. Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia have all passed laws giving homeschool students the right to access these national exams in their local public schools. We are working to get similar laws passed in other states. In 2021, HSLDA drafted model legislation which was adopted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Another tactic we have taken is to work with the College Board to get co-ops approved to administer the PSAT and SAT to homeschool students. The College Board has a high bar, requiring among other prerequisites that co-ops have dedicated space, sufficient internet bandwidth, and approved proctors.
We are eager to help co-ops receive this approval. We have initiated conversations with the leadership of the ACT and are hopeful that they will join the College Board in approving homeschool co-ops to offer their test. We are also hopeful that both the College Board and the ACT will approve more homeschool groups to administer PSAT, SAT, AP, and ACT exams.