Evaluation meetings

About evaluation meetings

As a home educator, you will schedule an initial evaluation meeting within the first 3 months of registration. After that, schedule them within 12 months of the annual registration date.

Following registration, you will receive an email with the contact details of your allocated home education moderator. It is your responsibility to call or email your moderator to arrange the evaluation meetings.

At the evaluation meeting, your moderator will review your education program and your child’s individual progress. Moderators will not provide curriculum support or recommend specific resources.

As part of evaluation meetings, the moderator will complete an evaluation report. The report will outline whether the education program and progress are suitable. A copy of this report will be provided to you following the evaluation meeting. Learn how information recorded at the evaluation is managed and protected.

If the moderator finds the program or progress unsatisfactory, the evaluation report will:

• explain the concerns
• outline the reasons for the concerns
• provide recommended actions to help address the concerns.

In these cases, a re-evaluation meeting will be required, and you will receive a notice of concern.

Initial evaluation meeting within 3 months of registration

The education program for the upcoming year will be reviewed, including your educational goals for your child.

Annual evaluation meetings

Each year, you will take part in an annual evaluation meeting with your moderator. This meeting is an opportunity to share:

• your child’s current capabilities
• the progress they have made since the previous evaluation
• your intended education program for the coming year
• learning activities your child has completed
• any challenges you have experienced.

You can also show examples of your child’s progress.

The moderator considers all this information to determine whether your child is making progress appropriate to their individual circumstances. The Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline or, where relevant, the ABLEWA curriculum, developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), may be used as reference points when considering progress.

Re-evaluation meetings

The purpose of the re-evaluation meeting is to allow you to address any identified concerns. You must be given at least 7 days notice of a re-evaluation meeting. If the issues have not been adequately addressed, your registration may be cancelled. If this is the case, you will be notified and sent a notice of cancellation.

If you receive a notice of cancellation, you may apply in writing within 14 days to the Minister for Education for a review of the Director General’s decision to cancel your registration.

Note:

Any applications made outside of this time frame cannot be considered in accordance with the Act.

What to expect at the home education evaluation meeting

At the home education evaluation visit, your moderator will ask questions to understand your child’s learning program, progress, and wellbeing. This helps ensure your program meets requirements and supports your child’s development.  

Your child is welcome to attend the visit. Their attendance is preferred, but not compulsory. Some children enjoy being part of the conversation, while others prefer not to.

Below is a summary of what you can expect and how to prepare.

Before the evaluation starts 

The moderator will inform you about the Department’s privacy statement below: 

The Department of Education collects personal information from home educators for the purpose of administering and regulating home education in accordance with the School Education Act 1999 (WA). The information will be used to assess, monitor, and support ongoing responsibilities as a home educator.

Information may be shared with authorised Department staff and, where necessary, other agencies or parties as permitted or required by law. The information will be stored securely within Australia, with access restricted to authorised staff.

If the information is not collected, the Department cannot evaluate the home education program. The home educator may request access to, or correction of, information by contacting the education regional office. To find more information about how the Department handles personal information, refer to Privacy. Information will be retained in accordance with the Department’s approved Retention and Disposal Authority. 

Make sure your contact details are up to date and let your moderator know if anything has changed. 

If your child does not attend or is not seen during the meeting, the reason will be recorded (for example, parent request, student request, illness, or other). 

During the evaluation

During the evaluation, the moderator will ask you about your child's progress. 

Learning progress

You will be asked to describe: 

• your child’s year level 
• your child’s learning strengths 
• what they are doing well and enjoying in their education. 

Think about the subjects or activities your child is most engaged in, and be ready to share examples of what they are proud of or progressing in.

Wellbeing, social and physical development 

You will be asked about the opportunities you provide for your child, including: 

• social and emotional wellbeing supports 
• social interaction and community involvement 
• physical activity and health education. 

Think about activities, groups, programs, or supports your child is involved in. You can choose what information you share, as long as you can demonstrate that you have a suitable education program and processes in place for your child.

Education program 

Your moderator will look at your education program to see if it suits your child’s individual needs, strengths, and interests. 

Explain to the moderator how your program is tailored to your child. 

Your child’s progress (not assessed at initial evaluation meeting) 

You will discuss: 

• your child’s progress over time 
• any factors that may be affecting their learning 
• evidence that shows your child is making progress. 

You can show examples to the moderator, such as work samples, notes, photos, or records that demonstrate learning and progress. Verbal explanations are fine too. You can talk through your child’s learning, and your child can explain their work if they’d like to.

Evaluation outcome 

At the end of the evaluation meeting, your moderator will discuss the outcome with you and record it in a report. The moderator will discuss the outcome and report with you to ensure you understand it, even if you have different views.

You will have the opportunity to share your feedback or raise any concerns, which will be recorded in the report. Depending on the outcome below, your moderator may advise when the next evaluation meeting is due. 

Outcomes include: 

• Suitable: The education program and student progress were suitable. 
• Notice of concern: The education program or student progress was not suitable. A notice of concern will be issued. A re-evaluation is required, where you will have the opportunity to address identified concerns. 
• Notice of cancellation: The education program or student progress was not suitable. A notice of cancellation will be issued. You may request a review of this decision by the Minister for Education within 14 days of receiving the notice of cancellation. 

After the evaluation 

You will be sent a copy of the evaluation report. If the program and progress are assessed as suitable, you will also be issued with a letter of currency confirming your registration remains current.  

How your information is managed and protected

To support the administration and regulation of home education under the School Education Act 1999 (WA), moderators record information discussed during evaluation meetings.

This may include:

• information about your home education program
• your child's learning progress and achievements
• learning examples you choose to share
• matters discussed during the evaluation meeting
• the evaluation outcome
• any feedback or concerns you raise during the meeting.

The information recorded is used to assess, monitor and support home education requirements under the Act.

Information is only accessed by authorised Department staff and may be shared where authorised or required by law.

You will receive a copy of the evaluation report following the meeting. You may raise any concerns you have about the information recorded.

For more information about how the Department manages personal information, refer to:

• Privacy
• Freedom of information.