A common question of homeschooling families is how to know if children are progressing at the “right” pace. One of the joys of homeschooling, however, is creating a pace and using content that is right for each of your children. That doesn’t mean that assessments aren’t still helpful and necessary. In fact, they’re required by Florida law for all homeschoolers. Preparing yourself and your children for annual homeschool evaluations doesn’t have to be stressful, though. Annual evaluations are just as much of a learning experience as everything else we do with our children.
Evaluation Options
Florida law includes annual evaluation options. The most common incorporates an individual evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher, which usually consists of a portfolio review, a nationally normed student achievement test administered by a Florida-certified teacher, or a state assessment. State and national assessments provide information about how children are progressing compared to others of the same age. Portfolio assessments are better for documenting individual student growth.
Standardized Assessments
Standardized assessments include published achievement tests measuring specific skills, most often in language arts and math. Standardized tests are created by content area experts and are administered by trained teachers or psychologists. As a homeschool evaluation, your evaluator (a Florida-certified teacher) may administer a standardized test like the IOWA, or your child may participate in other publicly available assessments, like the ACT, SAT, PSAT or CLT.
Portfolio Reviews
A portfolio review occurs when an evaluator reviews a collection of materials documenting a child’s educational activities. This may include academic records, work samples, photos of projects or field trips, or any additional assessments or evaluations made during the year. Portfolios document what children learn, regardless of the topic. Evaluators review the portfolio, talk with the child and the parent, and offer guidance on future educational directions.
Choosing the “Right” Assessment
There is no right or wrong choice for a homeschool evaluation as long as you stay within the requirements of the law. Focus on your purposes. Do you want to see how your child’s growth compares to others? Do you want to focus on their personal growth? Are they of an age where college admissions tests like the SAT are warranted?
Preparing for the Evaluation
Talk with other homeschooling families or groups to find an evaluator. Consider their credentials, experience with homeschool evaluations and how they can support your unique homeschooling goals. Talk with them about what to expect during the process. Then, share this information with your child, helping them understand the purpose and process. If using a portfolio, you may find it fun to include your child in selecting materials to be included.
After the Evaluation
After the evaluation, you must provide documentation to the homeschool office within the local school board. Evaluators will provide the necessary letter for you to send. If your child takes a standardized test in another setting, you may provide a copy of those results or ask an evaluator to review it and provide the appropriate letter instead. Finally, reflect on the feedback you received and consider how you can continue making your homeschool the best possible for your child and family.
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