New/Transfer Students

  • Tests

    Homeschool and Private School Information

    Regarding Grade Level Placement

    In Baldwin County, grade placement for students entering our schools from non-accredited schools (as identified by the Alabama State Department of Education) is determined by student performance on validation tests that assess standards from the Alabama Courses of Study or a review of approved standardized tests. Validation tests are required for all students transferring from non-accredited homeschool programs or non-accredited private schools.  

    Students who have completed the grade level requirement and elect to take validation tests are required to earn the minimum score requirement on each test to enroll in the next grade level. Incoming 7th grade students are required to take two online validation tests, one in 6th grade Reading and one in 6th grade Math. Incoming 8th grade students are required to take an online 7th grade Reading and an online 7th grade Math test. MacBooks are provided for validation testing. 

    No validation tests are timed. The validation process ends once a student scores below the minimum score. For example, Math is the first validation test administered for both incoming grade levels. Should a student score below the minimum score on the Math test, then no other validation tests are administered, and the student is placed at the previous grade level. Validation tests are not administered to students who would turn 16 years of age in 8th grade.

    Students who submit standardized test scores in lieu of validation tests to the BCBOE central office for review are expected to be on grade level in each core subject. Standardized test scores are required to be current if they are used for consideration for placement.