A standardized test — the Iowa, Stanford, or similar — is one way some states let families show a year's progress, measuring a child against national norms. Where it's required it's usually given once a year, and the score goes to the family or a reviewer, not a public ranking. Many states accept alternatives like an evaluation or portfolio instead, so it's worth checking whether you even need one. For families who choose it, it can also be a useful, low-stakes gut-check on how things are going.