Expert Resouces for Homeschooling Through High School

by Peggy Ployhar When I talk with parents about transition planning for high schoolers, one of the first things I recommend is using a solid assessment to evaluate independent living skills. Why? Because the right assessment can help you identify which skills your student needs to focus on—saving you both time and frustration while setting the stage for a smoother post-high school transition. Whether your student is college-bound, heading into a trade, or aiming for supported employment or independent living, having a clear picture of their capabilities helps you make informed, confident decisions about what’s next. Below are my top three recommended assessments to help determine where your student stands and how you can best prepare them for adult life: 1. Casey Life Skills (CLS) Assessment The Casey Life Skills Assessment is a free tool designed for youth ages 14 to 21. It evaluates a wide range of independent living skills including: Maintaining healthy relationships Work and study habits Planning and goal-setting Using community resources Daily living tasks Budgeting and bill payment Computer literacy This assessment typically takes 30–40 minutes to complete, and best of all, the results are available instantly. These results are designed to be used in a strength-based conversation with your teen, helping them take ownership of their growth while setting realistic, personalized goals. Bonus Resource: Casey offers a 60-page resource guide with goal suggestions and helpful links to support your student’s growth. You can find the assessment, guide, and other tools here: Casey Life Skills Toolkit - Casey Family Programs 2. PEATC Life Skills Checklist The PEATC Life Skills Checklist is a practical, 7-page document created by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center. It’s tailored for students ages 14–22 and can be a powerful tool for: Parents Homeschool IEP Teams Transition planners The checklist covers key areas of daily living, making it easy to track skill development over time and document progress toward transition goals. Access it here: PEATC Life Skills Checklist #3 – Comprehensive Transition Assessment Resource Page Transition planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process—each student is different, and using a combination of formal and informal assessments is often the best way to understand what your teen needs to thrive. That’s why this resource page is such a valuable tool. It outlines how to use assessments effectively and provides a variety of downloadable and interactive tools to help IEP teams, families, and homeschool parents get a well-rounded view of the student's current strengths, preferences, and areas for growth. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll find: Personal Preference Indicators – Collect insights from the student and those who know them best. Indiana Transition Assessment Matrix – A searchable collection of assessments organized by living, learning, and working skills, including Spanish versions. T-Folio – An interactive, free online tool to build job-readiness and self-determination. ELSA Assessment – Evaluates employability and life skills for both families and professionals. Interest Profiler (O*Net & Career OneStop) – Career-matching tools based on a student’s personal interests. Self-Determination Assessments – Tools like the AIR Self-Determination Assessment and The ARC Self-Determination Scale help students identify areas like autonomy, empowerment, and self-realization. Many of these tools can be filled out by the student, parents, educators, or other service providers—helping create a comprehensive profile from multiple perspectives. To explore all these tools and more, visit: Independent Living Postsecondary Goal & Assessment Resources - Transition Coalition   More Tools to Support Your Journey The Zarro Institute on Transition and Self-Determination website is a treasure trove of resources for families with unique learners. From online training modules to customizable transition tools, they offer guidance to help families like yours confidently navigate high school and beyond. Explore the Zarro Institute Taking the Next Step If you’re looking for more help in homeschooling your unique learner through high school, don’t miss our High School Helps Page—that contains a list of resources that will you confidently navigate your way through essential academic and life skills needed to help your teen succeed. Final Thoughts Preparing a student for life after high school is about more than academics—it’s about equipping them with real-world skills, building confidence, and giving them ownership of their future. These assessments can serve as launchpads—giving you clear next steps and your student the structure they need to grow into capable, independent adults. Have you used any of these assessments with your student? What has helped your family the most in planning for independence? Share your experience in the comments or join us on our Empowering Homeschool Conversations podcast to hear more from parents just like you.

By Peggy Ployhar Beyond Standardized Testing: Navigating Next Steps Did you know a student does not need to take the ACT or SAT in order to receive a degree from a 4-year university? For students like my oldest, who struggles with anxiety, this fact removed a large amount of stress when he realized his calling into a profession that would require a 4-year degree. The ACT and SAT are placement tests often used by universities to determine freshman placement or by scholarship organizations to award funding. However, if your student is not looking to attend a university immediately after high school or compete for academic scholarships, these tests may not be worth the time, energy, or stress they would impose. Navigating College Admission without the ACT/SAT Choosing a 4-year university route without taking a stressful entrance exam does not eliminate testing altogether. If your student enrolls in a community college before transferring to a 4-year university, they will usually be required to take a placement evaluation. Each community college has different regulations regarding these enrollment tests, but most offer flexible testing conditions, such as untimed exams, multi-day testing windows, and opportunities for retests without penalty. Understanding Placement Tests The most commonly used community college placement test is the Accuplacer Test, but some schools use state-standardized placement exams or their own assessments. It is essential to research your local community college's specific testing requirements. Setting up a meeting with an academic advisor can help clarify admission expectations and course prerequisites. Even if your student does not pass the placement test, they are not barred from enrolling in community college. Students demonstrating competence in certain subjects may take college-credit courses, while those needing additional support may enroll in remedial, non-credit courses. Passing these remedial courses allows students to progress into for-credit coursework. Additionally, most community colleges provide tutoring services and accommodations for students with learning differences. If your student has not yet been formally diagnosed with a learning disability but struggles academically, these support services may help identify areas where assistance is needed. Transitioning from Community College to a 4-Year University Transferring from a community college to a 4-year university involves meeting specific requirements. These vary by institution but typically include: A minimum GPA requirement Completion of transferable general education courses Meeting prerequisites for the intended major Unlike traditional high school applicants, transfer students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. Universities assess transfer applicants based on their community college coursework and overall academic performance. For my son, who graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, taking his education one step at a time has been a more successful approach. This pathway allowed him to build confidence, adjust to college expectations, and stay on track toward his goal. He is now living on this own, earning a great income, and flourishing beyond what we had ever thought possible for him during his difficult homeschooling year. Alternative Paths Beyond College Not every unique learner will choose the traditional college route, and that’s okay. Other options for post-high school success include: Trade Schools & Apprenticeships: Many hands-on learners excel in fields such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and computer programming through specialized training programs. Certifications & Online Courses: Fields like IT, graphic design, and healthcare offer certification programs that equip students with career-ready skills without requiring a degree. Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment: Homeschoolers often develop strong independent learning skills, making entrepreneurship a viable option. Gap Year & Life Skills Development: A structured gap year focusing on internships, volunteer work, or travel can help students explore their interests before committing to a long-term educational path. Final Thoughts If your child struggles academically but feels called to a career requiring further education, do not let standardized testing stand in the way. Whether through community college, vocational training, or another alternative path, there are many ways to prepare your unique homeschool learner for success beyond high school. To find more resources on homeschooling through high school, visit our Freebies page to find other high school resources.