Email Update from ADE
EFA Homeschool Families,
*** I (blogger) am adding in an update that came AFTER the email. For ACT test scores, ANY test done this school year, even if in the fall, will be accepted. In the following years, this may change, but they will accept the earlier ACT test scores this year. For ALL other tests this year, only any score done in 2025 will be accepted. Starting next year, all scores must be for tests after March 1st.
Please carefully read the information below. Many of your questions may be answered.
Testing Requirement Information
IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you have questions about testing requirements for homeschool students participating in the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program—including how to order, administer, or report your student’s assessment—we now have a dedicated support contact to assist you. Whether you’re unsure which tests meet the EFA requirements, need help navigating ordering processes, or simply want guidance on how to administer the test at home, support is available to ensure your student remains in compliance.
NEW! EFA Testing Portal (available June 1, 2025) - Need help with test selection? Have you already taken a test and need help with submitting it? Please visit https://ar.outbridge.org/testing-requirements
Other test-related concerns or questions? Please reach out to Morgan at
morgan@ar.outbridge.org for personalized help with any testing-related concerns.
As a reminder, acceptance of EFA funds requires the submission of test results in math and reading using one of the approved norm-referenced tests.
What are the requirements for testing and reporting results?
Homeschool students receiving EFA funds are required to take a national, norm-referenced test each year. You can find a list of ADE-approved test options here.
For families approved for the 24-25 school year, once you receive your student’s results, please submit them to the EFA Test Results portal that will become available after June 1, 2025.
Testing results must be submitted by June 30, 2025 to maintain your student’s eligibility for the 2025 – 2026 school year.
After June 1, please submit your test results to https://ar.outbridge.org/testing-requirements
All EFA participants are required to submit results in math and reading from an approved norm-referenced test (see approved list here). While ADE does not advocate for a specific approved test, some of the major test providers linked below provide additional support for homeschool family test administration.
Iowa Test of Basic Skills Assessments Homeschool Testing - Iowa Assessment
Stanford Stanford 10 Online - Standardized Test - Seton Testing Services
BJU Homeschool testing resource site Testing & Evaluation | BJU Press Homeschool
Abeka Homeschool testing resource site Abeka | Homeschool Standardized Tests
If there is a private school in your area, we would recommend that you reach out to the school, as many of the schools will allow homeschooled students to test with their enrolled students. For EFA students enrolled in 2024-2025, the deadline to submit test scores will be June 30, 2025.
For the 2025-2026 school year, homeschooled students will have the option to take the ATLAS, which is the state assessment. However, they will not be able to take the assessment at their local public school. Instead, the Arkansas Department of Education plans to establish designated testing sites across the state where homeschool students can register to take the exam. More information will be available in the coming months.
Additionally, students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a diagnosis from a qualified professional that exempts them from standardized testing may submit a portfolio or a statement of academic progress from a qualified professional. However, families must receive approval from the Arkansas Department of Education and provide the required documentation before their student can be exempt from the annual standardized testing requirement.
Testing Exemptions
Test exemptions are rare. To request an exemption, you must upload documentation
from a licensed professional (e.g. therapist, pediatrician, school IEP) stating your
child qualifies for an exemption. Beginning June 1, 2025, this can be done through
the testing portal. (coming soon!)
If you have questions about whether your exemption qualifies, please contact
Darrell Smith at darrell.smith@ade.arkansas.gov.
Reimbursement, Funding, and Vendor Information
ADE will continue accepting reimbursement receipts until June 30, 2025 for ALL ELIGIBLE ITEMS. (upcoming deadline!) Please help us to expedite the approval process by adhering to guidelines for eligible purchases. A list of eligible expenses is here.
We have also made the decision to allow vendors to use their own invoices in an effort to help expedite the approval and payment process.
Can families pay for services provided in the summer? Can they purchase curriculum for the 2025 – 2026 academic year in the summer?
Families who have an existing EFA account for the 2024 – 2025 (current academic year) AND have remaining funds can use those funds to pay for services provided in the summer, curriculum for the upcoming year, etc.
ALL purchases with 2024 – 2025 EFA funds MUST be submitted in ClassWallet no later than June 30, 2025. This includes ANY orders through DirectPay or Marketplace as well as any requests for reimbursement.
Families who will be NEW in 2025 – 2026 CANNOT be reimbursed for items purchased prior to July 1, 2025 (the first day of the 25 – 26 fiscal year for EFA).
We do not yet know what will be eligible for reimbursement in the 2025 – 2026 academic year. The first distribution of funds for 2025 – 2026 will be in mid to late August; specific distribution dates will be determined later this year.
How can I be reimbursed for purchases made (or denied) in the past?
You can submit reimbursement requests for eligible expenses through the ClassWallet
portal. Purchases must meet EFA program guidelines, and you will need to upload proof
of purchase, including:
Purchase date
Vendor name
Line item description, including the cost of the purchased items
How long before reimbursement funds are deposited into my bank account?
Reimbursement funds are typically deposited within 14 business days of the
request.
What happens to my funds at the end of the year?
If there are funds remaining at the end of the year, the balance will rollover.
Where can I find the current vendor list?
The current vendor list is available here.
If you are looking for a vendor that is not approved to participate in the EFA program,
please send an email to ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov. Someone from the EFA team will
contact the interested vendor to discuss program requirements.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool (NOI) Form
A NOI must be filed every year. For your EFA application to be complete, a NOI must be on file for the 2025-2026 school year and/or every year your child participates in the EFA program as a homeschool student.
Filing an NOI: You may submit a paper form to your resident school district (this is based on your physical address); or you may use the online portal here.
Need to make changes to your NOI? Please email your requests to ade.homeschool@ade.arkansas.gov
Updating Contact Information
How can I change my address, email, or phone number on my account? How can I change my school?
To update your email address or school, please email us at ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov.
To update your shipping address or phone number, please contact ClassWallet customer service support at help@classwallet.com or 877-969-5536.
Why have I not been receiving emails and updates?
If you are not receiving emails, please check your spam/junk folder and make sure that emails from ADE and ClassWallet are added to your safe sender list.
Thank you for being a valued part of the EFA program. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help and always happy to assist.
Have questions?
Phone: 501-683-1876
Email: ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov
