Hello PEP Peeps!
🌸 Spring is Here—Let’s Make End-of-Year Testing a Breeze!
The big Spring end-of-year testing window began this week! If you haven’t yet, secure your child’s PEP test today at www.PEPtesting.com!
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with easy, at-home end-of-year testing—yes, even while in your pajamas! You can choose from our 2 tests that are approved for PEP—Exact Path or i-Ready!
Both tests are computer adaptive diagnostic tests that can be done from the comfort of home on a computer, laptop, or tablet and proctored by parent.
No scheduling hassles because you get open access after your child's test is setup! No time limits either! Your child deserves a testing experience that is stress-free and you deserve a test that respects your school choice option!
More about Exact Path and i-Ready…
Exact Path and i-Ready are more than just “a test”. They are computer adaptive diagnostic tests designed specifically for obtaining a clear, detailed understanding of your child's academic strengths and areas that need growth. Whether identifying learning gaps, reinforcing weaker skills, or challenging an advanced learner, both Exact Path and i-Ready assessments provide actionable insights to guide your homeschooling journey.
With the diagnostic test results, you can tailor instruction to your child's exact needs, ensuring they stay on track and continue to thrive. Gain confidence in your homeschooling with the right tools to support your child's learning every step of the way!
When paired with the Learning Path, you can unlock your child's full potential!
Unlock your Child’s Full
Potential by Using
the Learning Path…
After your child completes their diagnostic test, you have the option to add-on the Learning Path of personalized online instruction, which is like having your own virtual tutor to help your child learn EXACTLY what they need to learn next!
If any learning gaps or weaknesses were found on their diagnostic test, the Learning Path will target those areas! It’s recommended that students take the diagnostic a minimum of 3 times per school year—beginning, middle, and end. This will allow their Learning Path to be automatically updated after each time that they take the diagnostic test.
The Learning Path can be used as a supplement to whatever curriculum or learning program you are already using. It’s recommended that students spend just 40 minutes per week per subject to see measurable growth.
Bonus—you can pay directly through the EMA Marketplace since I’m a provider—no reimbursement hassles!
I know that keeping up with PEP Scholarship news can feel overwhelming. That’s why this newsletter is your go-to guide for the latest PEP Scholarship updates, must-know info, summary of facebook group discussions, and hot topics—all in one place!
I’m here to help make your PEP homeschooling journey easier, smoother, and as stress-free as possible. If you ever need some homeschool support, whether with reimbursements, homeschooling in high school, helping your child with special needs, navigating dual enrollment, choosing curriculum or how to create your own, switching from PEP to UA scholarship, etc. I can help you! Book a Choice Navigator consultation with me at www.HomeschoolNest.com —-> click on Consultations.
JoAn Stead,
Homeschool Mom 20+ years
Evaluator & Choice Navigator
PEP Scholarship Parent Support Facebook Group
Top Facebook Post
What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought off the marketplace with PEP scholarship?
313 comments
Click to see what some of the replies were!
Lifetime Rosetta Stone
Dissection Kit
Tower Garden
Pogo Stick
Zipline
Telescope
Microscope
Rock Tumbler
Books
Yoto Player
Tonies
Nugget
Jumparoo
Ninja Slackline Ropes
Kiwi Kits
Treadmill
3D Printer Pen
LEGOS
Board Games
and more!
📌Hottest Topic📌
End-of-Year PEP Testing
Frequently Asked Questions about Testing:
When are test results due?
Answer: Step Up for Students (SUFS) has not announced an official deadline for the 2024-25 school year yet. However, last year’s deadline was July 31st, so we can safely assume it will be around the same time. I’ll update you as soon as SUFS provides more information.
How do we upload test results in EMA?
Answer: At this time, SUFS has not yet added a section in EMA for uploading test results. This feature will likely be available in June.
What subjects must be included in the test?
Answer: SUFS does not decide which subjects must be tested—this is determined by the testing publisher. For example:
i-Ready by Curriculum Associates tests only Reading & Math
Exact Path by Edmentum tests Reading, Math & Language Arts
ACT, SAT, and other tests have their own subject requirements
Make sure to check with your test provider for subject specifics!
Do children in grades K-2 need to take a test?
Answer: Yes! All PEP students in grades K-12 are required to take an approved norm-referenced standardized test. Some tests are only available for grades 3-12, which may have caused confusion last year as well as this year. Unfortunately, some families were misinformed, did not test their K-2 child, and lost their funds as a result. Don't let that happen to you—be sure to test your child, regardless of grade level.
Do students graduating or moving out-of-state need to test?
Answer: Yes! All PEP students in grades K-12 are required to take an approved norm-referenced standardized test by the end of the school year. By accepting the PEP scholarship funds, you agreed to this requirement.
What if a Step Up rep gives conflicting information?
Answer: Always refer to the Parent Handbook for official guidance. If you receive conflicting information from an SUFS representative via chat or phone, trust the handbook as your most reliable source.
Other Hot Topics...
🌟 Early Registration Reminder!
As deadlines approach for summer activities, co-ops, and other programs, many parents are wondering:
💡 "When can I submit for reimbursement?"
Below is a list of the only expenses that can be paid for now but submitted for reimbursement anytime during the next school year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). These expenses cannot be submitted for reimbursement at this time.
📖 For full details, refer to page 25 of the PEP Parent Handbook.
Academic Summer Programs Reimbursement Tip
When requesting reimbursement for academic summer programs, avoid using the word "camp" in your documentation. Why? The term "camp" is often associated with overnight programs that include lodging and food, which are not eligible for reimbursement.
🔹 Tip: Instead of "camp," use terms like:
✅ Summer Enrichment Program
✅ STEM Workshop
✅ Educational Intensive
Since summer programs labeled as "camps" can be difficult to get reimbursed, it's best to only register if you're prepared to cover the cost out of pocket without reimbursement.
Out-of-State Field Trips
☀️ Reminder: All out-of-state activities require preauthorization, and there is a deadline to submit preauthorization requests for 2024-25 reimbursements.
No out-of-country expenses are approved!
📖 See Page 6 of the PEP Purchasing Guide for full details.
Pre-authorizations are accepted until April 30, 2025. This will ensure that pre-authorizations have time to be approved and parents have time to make the purchase and submit a reimbursement request prior to the end of the school year on June 30, 2025.
IKEA Furniture
The "design your own unit" seems to be particularly problematic and Step Up is requiring a preauthorization to deterine if it truly is 1 unit or multiple units pieced together. Just like we saw restrictions tighten in the furniture category last year based on the description of products, Step Up will again tighten up to fight abuse of the category.
New Educational Choice Bills were Filed!
As of February 28, 2025, both bills are officially filed:
HB 1565 - bill text PDF
SB 1440 - bill text PDF
Digitial Devices are in the proposed bill for PEP!
Please go to the Home Education Foundation Forum to read about the latest updates! www.FLHEF.org
📌Advance Reimbursement Policy for Services📌
Parents/Guardians may apply for reimbursement of services up to 3 months in advance.
For example, if a tutor requires payment upfront, a parent can apply for reimbursement on September 1st for tutoring fees paid through the end of November.
🔹 For services paid more than 3 months in advance:
Requests may be approved for the remainder of the school year (up to 1 year), only if the provider confirms that the payment is non-refundable.
Parents/Guardians must submit either:
✅ A signed and dated letter from the provider stating the payment is non-refundable,
or
✅ The provider’s published policies showing this requirement.
This ensures that funds are used appropriately and align with reimbursement guidelines.
📌Reimbursement Timing for Overlapping School Years📌
For expenses like part-time tutoring or any service not specifically listed in the Reimbursement Timing section that is paid in one scholarship year but takes place in the next scholarship year, special timing rules apply.
🔹 Example: If a parent pays for swimming lessons in May, but the lessons occur in July, the reimbursement request must be submitted between July 1 – 31.
⏰ This is the ONLY window when reimbursements for both scholarship years are accepted. Be sure to submit within this timeframe to ensure your request is processed.
📌Delivery & Assembly Fees📌
Delivery and assembly fees are not approved for reimbursement.
For example, if you purchase a swingset from Sam's Club that includes assembly, Step Up will review the listing to check if a non-assembly option is available at a lower price.
🔹 If a lower-priced option without assembly is found, your reimbursement will be adjusted accordingly to reflect that amount.
To avoid issues, consider selecting products that exclude assembly fees when possible or just be aware that those fees will not be reimbursed.
💛 A Note About Kindness & Accuracy 💛
In our PEP Scholarship Parent Support Facebook group: When someone asks whether something is approved, they are not seeking personal opinions on their parenting choices. Respect their question—if you feel the urge to comment on their decision rather than provide helpful information, it’s best to simply move along.
🌟We’re here to support each other!🌟
Please ensure that any information you share in our PEP Scholarship Parent Support Facebook group is:
✅ Factual or based on personal experience.
✅ Relevant to the current school year.
If policies have changed, mention the school year in your response to avoid spreading outdated information.
💡 Things change frequently, often from year to year. Let’s work together to keep our advice accurate, supportive, and up to date! Thank you for your contributions to our PEP Scholarship Facebook group! You are helping other parents alongside us!\
🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟
I’m thrilled to share that Michelle is now our official Facebook Group Manager/Moderator! 🎉
Since our community began in 2023, Michelle has been an incredible contributor, always stepping in to support parents with helpful answers and thoughtful guidance. Her dedication has played a huge role in keeping our group running smoothly and positively.
Thank you so much, Michelle, for all the time and care you put into our community — we’re so grateful for you! ❤️
If you've made it here, Thank you for reading! We’re here to support you every step of the way in your homeschooling journey. If you have any questions or need personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
JoAn Stead,
Visit www.HomeschoolNest.com to book a consultation with JoAn!
Visit www.PEPtesting.com to reserve an end-of-year test for your child!
This was wonderful--thank you for helping keep families informed!
This is incredibly helpful! Thank You for taking the time to put this together.