What to expect at your home education evaluation meeting

Home educators use this information to understand what happens before, during and after a home education evaluation meeting.

Before the evaluation meeting starts 

Your 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.

Check that 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). 

During the evaluation meeting

During the meeting, your moderator will record information in a digital evaluation form. They use the form to document what is discussed during the evaluation and to help them prepare the evaluation report.

About your child

The moderator will ask you about:

• your child’s year level equivalent
• their learning strengths and interests
• any areas of learning that you would like to focus on more closely
• how you plan to support these areas through your home education program
• the goals you have been working towards since registration or your last evaluation
• any new goals you would like to set for the next evaluation period.

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. 

These questions recognise that learning occurs in different ways and settings. You can discuss activities, experiences and supports that contribute to your child's learning and development.

The moderator will consider the information you choose to share alongside your child's education program, educational progress and individual circumstances.

Education program 

Your moderator will look at your child’s education program to understand how it supports their individual needs, strengths, and interests. You may choose an approach and ways of presenting your program, provided it meets registration requirements. Find out how to develop an education program.

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

Your child’s progress 

You will discuss: 

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

You may choose different ways to present your education program and your child’s learning and progress. This may include:

• work samples
• portfolios
• photographs
• written records
• verbal explanations.

Find more ways to share examples of progress.

Your moderator will consider all information to determine whether your child is making progress appropriate to their individual circumstances.

You and your child are also welcome to talk about your child’s learning and progress.

At the end of the evaluation meeting

Evaluation outcome 

The moderator will consider the information discussed during the evaluation, including anything that may affect learning and progress. Your responses to individual questions are not assessed in isolation, and no single response, piece of evidence or circumstance determines an outcome.

Evaluation outcomes are based on:

• the overall suitability of the education program
• your child's educational progress
• your child’s individual circumstances.

At the end of the meeting, your moderator will share and explain the outcome of the evaluation with you. You may share any comments or concerns with the moderator, who will record this information in the evaluation report. 

The 3 outcomes

Suitable: The education program and child’s progress were suitable. The next evaluation meeting is due within 12 months of the registration date.

Your moderator may give you suggestions on how the home education program could be improved.

Notice of concern: The education program or child’s progress was not suitable

Your moderator will:

• note and explain any concerns
• provide recommended actions to address the concerns.

A notice of concern will be emailed to you. The notice will include the date of a re-evaluation meeting, where you will have the opportunity to address the identified concerns.

Notice of cancellation: The education program or child’s progress was not suitable.

Your moderator will:

• note and explain any concerns
• explain why cancellation is being recommended.

A notice of cancellation will be emailed to you. You may request a review of this decision by the Minister for Education within 14 days of receiving the notice of cancellation. Find out more about the reasons and process for the cancellation of registration.

After the evaluation 

You will be emailed a copy of the evaluation report, which includes information recorded by the moderator during the evaluation meeting. 

If the program and progress are assessed as suitable, you will also receive a 'Confirmation of current home education registration letter', confirming your registration remains current. 

Find related information

Refer to Evaluation meetings, to find out:

• the purpose of evaluation meetings
• how to arrange evaluation meetings
• the types of evaluation meetings
• how your information is managed and protected.