Life is full of assessments. These tests or evaluations determine how we perform and serve as the gateway to some of life’s opportunities. Some assessments, however, like standardized testing do not offer a complete picture of student understanding or ability. Therefore, many parents have sought alternative assessments or have avoided standardized testing altogether.
As a homeschool parent, what is your measuring stick to gauge learning? How do you evaluate your child’s progress and adapt your teaching to maximize your effectiveness? Do you have a formal review of your child’s learning that has to be reported to your state?
An assessment is any task you assign intended to serve as evidence of learning or to create a learning opportunity. You may have had bad experiences with testing that make you question its effectiveness, but assessments go beyond just the realm of testing. You’re likely already using some of them in your homeschool. Here is how assessments can help you evaluate your child’s progress and improve your homeschool instruction.
STEP 1: Choose Your Tests
There are a variety of tests you can choose from. Most testing sites will tell you which test to order for your student’s grade. Typically you will order the test for the grade level they are entering, not the one they are finishing. But check with the test order site, it should guide you as to which test they want you to choose.
Also, make sure to check with local homeschool organizations. They often offer group testing and discounts. In addition, many umbrella schools offer testing services even if you are not registered with them.
Pro Tip: If you know you are going to test this year, be proactive and set a date to order tests, so they arrive close to when you finish school for the year. The following year, make sure to order the test right at the end so you can relax for the summer.
STEP 2: Administer Tests
You’ll want to pick a well-lit spot and provide a quiet time with little distraction. If you follow the test schedule in your book, you’ll see it can take up to a week to complete the tests if you do 2-3 per day. It’s better to do a couple per day instead of doing them all in one day, but you could certainly choose to do that. Create an atmosphere for “Testing Week” in your household. You can take them out to dinner to celebrate at the end of the week!
Pro Tip: Have plenty of sharpened pencils and scratch paper available before starting.
STEP 3: Send in Completed Tests
You’ll want to follow all return directions for whatever tests you purchased. Flip through your test booklets and make sure there are no stray marks or incomplete dots filled in so as not to skew your results. Ensure all included items are sent back or your results will not be processed. Use a service such as FedEx or UPS, so the package is trackable.
STEP 4: File Results
If it is a required testing year for you, you’ll want to submit your test scores to the appropriate location. In some cases, if you are enrolled in a public school-funded options program, you are required to keep records of testing yourself. Either way, you’ll need to find the appropriate method of submitting results for your state and follow those rules.
For more information on testing options and your state laws, visit www.hslda.org.
The beauty of testing at home is that you get to cultivate the environment and energy associated with a high-stakes assessment. In this way, children who may experience testing anxiety can be set up for success.
Now that we’ve covered the large testing schedule for the year, the next step is to consider the smaller benchmarks throughout the year and how you and your child will know and celebrate the wins each week or month (or even daily!)
Don’t hesitate to switch things up or feel compelled to use methods, systems, and strategies that do not work. When it comes to managing the learning at home, AVOR Educators provides tips and resources to support your journey — join our mailing list to learn more.