Florida’s PEP scholarship requires three things every year: a Student Learning Plan, an approved assessment, and a signed compliance statement. The assessment can be a nationally norm-referenced test or an eligible Florida statewide assessment. There’s no minimum score required for renewal. Students with disabilities who can’t take standardized tests may qualify for an exemption instead.
Figuring out PEP’s testing rules can feel confusing, especially if you’ve homeschooled before without giving a standardized test. Florida’s Personalized Education Program gives eligible families an education savings account for approved expenses like curriculum and qualified tutoring. Our Florida PEP tutoring guide walks through how to make the most of those dollars.
The exact award amount varies by county and grade, often landing around $8,000 a year. That funding comes with an annual assessment requirement tied to your scholarship’s renewal. Here’s what you need to know about who has to test, which tests count, and what happens to the results.
The three annual requirements for PEP
Every PEP family completes three requirements each year. Missing any one of them can put your renewal at risk.
Student Learning Plan (SLP)
You create this plan and submit it to your Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO), such as Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation. You’ll submit and revise it annually before your renewal. The plan outlines your child’s educational needs and goals.
Annual assessment
Your child completes an approved nationally norm-referenced test or, when available, an eligible Florida statewide assessment. You then submit the results to your SFO before renewal.
Sworn compliance statement
You sign an agreement each year confirming your family follows PEP’s program rules.
This differs from Florida’s Home Education program, where families work with their local school district and choose from five annual evaluation methods. One of those options is a portfolio review with a Florida-certified teacher instead of standardized testing. For full program details, see the Florida Department of Education’s official PEP FAQ page.
Who has to test, and who’s exempt
The annual assessment requirement applies to every PEP student in kindergarten through 12th grade. There’s no grade-level exception.
The disability exemption
Students with disabilities for whom standardized testing isn’t appropriate can qualify for an exemption. For Step Up For Students, a physician, psychologist, or your child’s IEP team can make that determination. You’ll then submit Step Up’s Standardized Testing Exemption Form instead of testing. If you use a different SFO, check their specific documentation process.
Which tests are approved, and who can give them
Florida’s Department of Education keeps a current list of approved assessments. It includes options like:
- ACT and specified PSAT/SAT assessments – College-readiness tests accepted for PEP compliance.
- Iowa Assessments – Core Battery, specified forms.
- Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition (SAT10) – A widely used K-12 norm-referenced test.
- NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) – An adaptive, computer-based assessment.
- Renaissance Star Assessments – Available in reading and math versions.
- Curriculum Associates i-Ready Assessments – A diagnostic-style assessment option.
- IXL Flex or Real-Time Diagnostic – Online diagnostic assessments.
Administration rules vary by test publisher. Check with the specific testing company to learn about accommodations, timing, and who can give the test. Don’t assume every PEP assessment requires a Florida-certified teacher.
When comparing approved assessments, look at timing, format, and accommodations. Adaptive options like NWEA MAP appeal to some families, but the right choice depends on your child’s needs and the publisher’s testing procedures.
You can also arrange through your local school district for your child to take Florida’s statewide assessments. PEP students can take end-of-year assessments in grades 3 through 10 and applicable end-of-course exams. They can’t take the FAST progress-monitoring windows (PM1 and PM2) or kindergarten through grade 2 statewide assessments.
There’s no minimum passing score for renewal
This detail eases a lot of anxiety. Florida’s PEP renewal requirements don’t set a minimum test score. The requirement is completing an eligible assessment and submitting the results, not hitting a specific number.
Your results go to your SFO. State law also requires SFOs to report participating students’ scores to a state university for program evaluation. That data is protected under confidentiality rules, and published reports can’t disclose an individual student’s academic level. Statewide university reporting covering PEP performance specifically starts with the 2027-28 school year.
PEP vs. Home Education: key differences
| Feature | PEP scholarship | Home Education program |
|---|---|---|
| Registered with | Scholarship Funding Organization | County school district |
| Annual assessment | Approved norm-referenced test or eligible statewide assessment, no grade exception except disability | One of five evaluation methods, including non-testing options |
| Student Learning Plan | Required every year | Not required |
| Portfolio review | Does not replace the required assessment | One permitted evaluation method |
| Funding | ESA amount varies by county and grade, often around $8,000/year | No scholarship funding while enrolled |
| FLVS access | Available through the scholarship/private-pay process | Free access to FLVS Flex |
Deadlines and submission
Submit your assessment results to your SFO before your renewal is processed. Always check your SFO’s current handbook, since deadlines and procedures can change each year.
For Step Up For Students renewal families specifically, 2025-26 assessment results were due in the EMA portal by May 31, 2026, to secure funding for 2026-27. Don’t assume this exact date applies to other years or other SFOs. Confirm your deadline directly.
If you’re claiming reimbursement through Step Up for testing or evaluation costs, current documentation requirements include:
- Your child’s full name and the test date
- A description of the service
- The fee amount and proof of payment
- The administering teacher’s Florida certification number, when required
Our ESA documentation requirements guide covers what else you’ll need to keep your reimbursements on track. Give yourself enough lead time to book your testing and receive results well before your SFO’s deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to test my child every year?
Yes. PEP requires an eligible annual assessment for every K-12 student, unless your child qualifies for the disability exemption. You can use an approved nationally norm-referenced test or, when available, an eligible Florida statewide assessment.
What happens if my child scores low?
Nothing happens to your funding. Florida’s PEP requirements don’t set a minimum passing score for renewal. Completing the assessment and submitting results is what matters.
Can I stay in Home Education and also get PEP funds?
No. PEP and Florida’s Home Education program are separate. If you’re moving from Home Education to PEP, you’ll need to file written notice ending your Home Education program with your county and notify the district of your PEP participation.
Which test works best for a young or anxious child?
There’s no single best answer for every child. Compare approved options based on timing, format, accommodations, and cost, then choose what fits your child’s needs.
When is my first test due as a new PEP family?
New applicants don’t need to complete an assessment before applying. Once you’re enrolled, the annual assessment applies to your continued participation and renewal. Confirm your specific deadline with your SFO.
Key Takeaways
- Three annual requirements – A Student Learning Plan, an eligible assessment, and a sworn compliance statement.
- Flexible assessment options – An approved norm-referenced test or an eligible Florida statewide assessment both count.
- Disability exemption available – Students who can’t take standardized tests may qualify for an alternative.
- No minimum score – Florida law doesn’t set a passing score for PEP renewal.
- Home Education works differently – It offers five evaluation options, including certified-teacher portfolio review, but that doesn’t apply to PEP.
- Rules can change – Always check the current FLDOE-approved test list and your SFO’s handbook before testing.
Ready to make the most of your PEP funds? Our certified teachers offer online reading and math tutoring that may qualify as an eligible PEP expense.
Schedule a Free Reading Assessment
