ADE weekly update
Dear EFA Homeschool Families,
While there is no new information to post this week, there are some important deadlines that are quickly approaching! Please see the highlighted information below.
As always, if you have any questions, please use the contact information provided under each section or contact the EFA Office at 501-683-1876.
Testing Requirements & Submission
Who must test:
All EFA students must submit test results in reading and math using an approved norm-referenced test. Families with students who are exempt from testing must still submit an educational progress report or portfolio.
Submission Deadline:
All testing documentation for the 2024–2025 school year is due by June 30, 2025.
Funding for 2025–2026 will not be released until test results or exemption documentation is submitted.
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Important: Test Submission Email & Exemption Documentation
The initial round of test submission emails was sent on Sunday, June 1. If you did not receive it, please check your spam or junk folder and verify that you are checking the email address associated with your EFA account.
Going forward, these emails will be resent every Sunday to any family that has not yet submitted testing documentation. Be on the lookout each week for an email from:
To avoid missing future messages, we strongly recommend adding that email address to your safe sender list.
If Your Child is Exempt from Testing
If your child is exempt from standardized testing, you are still required to submit documentation demonstrating academic progress. You have two options:
Educational Progress Report
This can be written by a parent, teacher, therapist, or other educator familiar with your child’s learning. It should summarize your child’s growth and progress in core subjects over the course of the school year.
Student Portfolio
You may submit a portfolio that includes examples of work completed during the school year. This could include writing samples, math worksheets, projects, or other materials that demonstrate academic engagement and learning.
How to Submit:
You will receive a separate submission link for each EFA-enrolled child. Please use the link(s) provided in your email to upload the appropriate documentation, whether it's a test result, a progress report, or a portfolio. Step-by-step instructions will be included in the email.
If you have any questions about the submission process or need help deciding what to submit, feel free to contact Morgan Camu at morgan@ar.outbridge.org. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Reimbursements & 2025–2026 Funding
For Current EFA Students Not Returning Next Year:
Reimbursement receipts for eligible purchases will be accepted through June 30, 2025.
Please follow EFA Reimbursement Guidelines to ensure quicker processing.
For Current Students Returning Next Year:
You may submit reimbursements for 2024–25 purchases even after July 1.
System Maintenance Notice: The EFA system will be offline from July 1–7 to transition to the new school year.
Direct Pay remains available—no need to worry about deadlines beyond that one-week pause.
For New 2025–2026 EFA Students:
Reimbursements will only apply to purchases made on or after July 1, 2025.
Exception: You may be reimbursed for registration or tuition fees that are required before July 1 for courses beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.
Good News for All Families:
The Department is continuing its universal reimbursement policy, meaning anything eligible for Direct Pay is also eligible for reimbursement.
Next Fund Distribution:
First funding disbursement for 2025–2026 will occur on or after August 21, 2025.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool (NOI)
Starting after June 1, 2025, families may submit their NOI form either:
Online through the state portal, or
By submitting a paper copy to your local school district based on your residence.
Please be sure to put your student's full 9-digit Social Security number and answer "yes" to question about applying for the EFA funding for the 25-26 school year. Please note that not providing this information can delay the disbursement of EFA funding.
Need to make changes to your NOI? Email: ade.homeschool@ade.arkansas.gov
Updating Contact Information
To update your email or school: Email ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov
To update your shipping address or phone number: Contact ClassWallet Support: help@classwallet.com | 877-969-5536
Missed emails lately?
Be sure emails from @ade.arkansas.gov and @classwallet.com are added to your safe sender list.
Thank you for being a valued part of the EFA community. If you have any questions or need additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help.
Have questions?
Phone: 501-683-1876
Email: ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov