Homeschool Freedom Academic Achievement Study

TEACHSD, along with other homeschool organizations across the country, is partnering with the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) and BJU Press to conduct the 2023 Academic Achievement Study. This multi-state research project will provide new and helpful information for the vital work of defending homeschool freedoms in South Dakota and nationwide.

Standardized testing from the comfort of home!

TEACHSD is happy to partner with BJU Press Testing and Evaluation to offer the Iowa Assessments from home!

When you test with TEACHSD & BJU, TEACHSD will receive a group report (based on ANONYMOUS student data), allowing us to showcase to legislators and public officials the success of home-educated students.

How Does it Work?

  • Click on the How To Participate button at the top of the page
  • Choose between Online Testing OR Paper/Pencil Testing
  • Order your tests through the TEACHSD Parent Portal to receive a 10% discount
  • Choose Online Testing for additional benefits!
    • Testing results as quick as 10 days
    • No shipping costs
    • Year-round testing
    • Testing administrator provided by BJU

Why should South Dakota Homeschoolers participate when Standardized Testing is not required?

Establishing a South Dakota database of compiled scores lends credibility to the educational excellence of homeschool students. Because homeschooled students historically score very high, the larger the number of students tested, the more convincing our scores become to both legislators and the public. Your participation is encouraged, not only for your own information, but to continue to safeguard our freedoms.

Following directions, relaxing under pressure, pacing oneself, and completing work in an allotted time are all great skills that can be honed through taking tests. Testing can be a valuable preparation for college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.

Standardized tests indicate how your child compares academically to other children at his grade level. While we do have the privilege of seeing our children learn on a day-to-day basis, it is beneficial to assess a child’s year-to-year development of learning.

The charts of test scores provided to TEACHSD and shown to South Dakota legislators and policy makers are combined scores of homeschool students statewide, never individual scores.

Providing evidence of the effectiveness of homeschooling is a potent force for defending homeschool freedoms!