|
Homeschool Standardized Testing |
|
|
 Few things cause homeschoolers more anxiety than standardized testing. Under pressure to excel or at minimum demonstrate grade level proficiency, feelings of fear and inadequacy may surface, thus creating a domino effect of stressed parents and frustrated children. Many homeschoolers, experience this rollercoaster of emotional turmoil year after year. Likewise, I’ve experienced moments of uncertainty when testing my own children. Many times, depending on test results, those feelings are quickly abated or linger up into the following school year.
Many homeschoolers reside in states which require standardized testing. However, all states don’t require annual testing. Some states only require end of year testing in specific grades. This information can be ascertained by checking out your state’s homeschool laws. Begin with Home School Legal Defense Association -- http://www.hslda.org -- for laws pertaining to your state. If your state doesn’t require testing then the choice is completely up to you.
Many people debate the validity of requiring homeschoolers to test their children citing negative impact on a child’s self-esteem. Still, testing can be instrumental in helping the parents evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their chosen curriculum. This is pertinent in deciding whether to keep, supplement, or purge the curriculum all together. It also familiarizes your child with the concept of testing which will prove to be beneficial, especially, if the child is college bound. What better way to acclimate homeschoolers with standard testing formalities? Most colleges require incoming students to take the SAT’s or some sort of placement exam. Nonetheless, don’t lose sight of test results being just one component in the big scheme of things used to evaluate your child’s overall academic progress.
Every state has individual laws about who can administer the CAT, MAT, or SAT test. Usually the local School District is responsible for supplying, administering, and paying for the testing. In a few states, families are always responsible for absorbing the cost of their own tests. Some homeschoolers must bring their children to a designated testing site, or hire a certified tester. Some states afford you the option of administering the test from the comfort of your own home without certification. In the spirit of maintaining objectivity, this option is often discouraged. As a result, homeschool families have been known to swap off children for the purpose of testing.
Depending on your child’s grade level, each tests usually cost around $35. Upon completion of the test, one simply returns it back to the company that you received it from and in turn they’ll send you a machine scored evaluation.
Typically the results are to be given to someone in the school system. Yet again, in other states, each family is required to keep the scores on file themselves. The results are only furnished upon official request.
One common complaint heard many times over pertains to interpretation of test results. Results are often given in percentages. I have read of one homeschooler who gauges her children’s performance based on the 50% mark. Anything below the 50th percentile meant she needed to concentrate more on that subject matter. She didn’t make much of a fuss if her students were working above that level. She wanted to impress upon her children the goal was their best effort, not perfection. That is key in alleviating test anxiety.
Written by Umm Jamar in North Carolina
|
Today's Tomorrow Editors |
| About the author: |
| Today's Tomorrow is a different Homeschool Magazine. We put the Islam in the center of your approach! | |
