Be Sure To Consistently Evaluate

When taken out of the traditional schooling system, children can easily fall behind if their progress is not consistently evaluated. Standardized tests are always an option, and are required in some states, but homeschooled kids are frequently homeschooled because they are not good test takers. These tests are also formatted to test how well a public school student has memorized material taught in public school, rather than a student’s actual ability to learn. So how can you be sure your child is on track?

Talk through the material. Teachers always say that you know a subject when you can verbalize it to someone else. Once the student has narrated it to you, it will be easy to see where further progress is needed.

Keep a portfolio of the student’s work. Certain states require this by law, but it is a good idea nonetheless. Having writing samples and schoolwork to look back on can be a helpful way to see how your child has improved over the school years. This can also serve as an encouragement to the student, who can see his or her progress from year to year. Once the student is grown, it will be a fun memory of time spent together. Try to keep papers, artwork, pictures of excursions, and similar work to look back on.

Make a checklist. Before the school year begins, find out where you student should be at based on their grade level. If you have a reasonable checklist, then the student can stay on track and keep up with his peers.

Join a homeschooling group. It’s hard to do it all on your own. These groups provide support from other parents and also teachers for specialized subjects. By joining a larger community, parents can better judge their student’s level against other kids their own age. There is also greater access to curriculum and options for testing so there are more ways to excel.

Have your child evaluated professionally. Especially at young ages, it is important to make sure a student is consistently progressing. Educational evaluators can be found through your homeschooling community group. In order to determine strengths and weaknesses, they may either conduct an interview, ask to see a portfolio, or perform a test. These licensed professionals can determine a child’s sociability as well as their academic level.

Take a test. For teenagers, this option is more important. The SAT and ACT are required tests for colleges. The high-pressure time restriction is a skill that needs to be practiced. Sample tests can be administered to help prepare them. SAT 2’s are standardized tests that focus on one subject at a time, such as math or history, and are also required for some colleges. Advanced Placement programs or AP tests also focus on one subject. Scores range from 1 to 5, so you can see how your student compares to peers while earning college credit at the same time.

Homeschool families have many options for testing a student’s progress. Don’t feel confined to a standardized test. Choose the option that is right for your student. One thing is for certain though—check often to make sure your child is on track and progressing.

Homeschooling is a challenge, but it can have outstanding rewards for yourself. At the same time, it can be reat for your child. Just be sure to take it very seriously and try to make an effort to separate your roll as an everyday parent with your roll as a home school teacher.


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