Standardized
tests are a common measurement of success and a part of core curriculum within
the public school system. It is generally up to you whether or not your child
participates in standardized tests. Some states require that all students, even
those who are homeschooled, participate in standardized testing. Other states
make it optional, but charge a fee for home school students to be included in
testing. Some states do not allow homeschooled students to participate at all.
If
the choice is yours, you must make the decision of whether or not you will use
these standardized tests. These tests have some advantages and disadvantages.
The biggest advantage is that you can see how well you are doing in terms of teaching
your child. The tests will show where they are in relation to other students in
the state. This helps you see where you are successful or where there is room
for improvement.
The
disadvantage to standardized tests is that it may not be a reasonable
measurement of success. Some students do not test well. In addition, while a
child may understand concepts being presented, they may misinterpret questions
and responses, providing skewed test results.
Standardized
tests are also sometimes required when you are planning on sending your child
back to public school in the future. These tests are supposed to show where
your child is in their educational career. Even if not required, having the
results of standardized tests can head off debate about what grade your child
belongs when they return to public school, especially in cases where a child is
advanced further than is typical for their age.
There
are three standardized tests you should seriously consider for teens. These are
the ACT, PSAT, and SAT. These standardized tests not only show your success at
homeschooling but they show your child’s academic prowess. These test scores
are used to help colleges determine whether or not a student is acceptable by
their admission standards. For a child who has been homeschooled, these tests play
an even larger role in college acceptance.
This is an excerpt from the book How
to Home School Your Child: Developing a Well Trained Mind: Proven
Strategies for Unlocking Your Child’s Genius with Homeschooling by
Karina Bartlett
You can get the book on this link:
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