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Comparing Homeschool Standardized Test Scores
Here is your homework for today. First, look at your children's standardized test scores and compare them to your local public school. If the public school average scores were the same as yours, how would the newspaper report that? Next, read 16 Ways Standardized Testing Can Help Your Homeschool Thrive!
Public schools across the country all use different tests, and it really doesn't matter which standardized test you take. Just look at the overall percentile scores of all your students at home. Then compare school to school - your homeschool and the local public school.
This comparison can help you keep your homeschool grounded in reality. Sometimes parents feel like they are failing, when they really aren't. It's true that testing doesn't measure what is REALLY important (values, faith, work ethic, etc.) At the same time, sometimes homeschoolers feel like their children are falling behind, when in reality they are ahead of the public and private schools.
Public schools across the country all use different tests, and it really doesn't matter which standardized test you take. Just look at the overall percentile scores of all your students at home. Then compare school to school - your homeschool and the local public school.
This comparison can help you keep your homeschool grounded in reality. Sometimes parents feel like they are failing, when they really aren't. It's true that testing doesn't measure what is REALLY important (values, faith, work ethic, etc.) At the same time, sometimes homeschoolers feel like their children are falling behind, when in reality they are ahead of the public and private schools.
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208 N Western St.
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
Comments 8
Put it that way, it comes out that the average student at my school is on grade level ;-)
I'm thinking since the ocean isn't much further we might turn it into a day trip if we can get a morning appointment.
Joelle,
Passing the WASL is supposed to indicate the child is working on grade level. What percent of your students are working on grade level?
For the non-test assessment, give the WHO office a call and ask them. Although I think the teacher from last year may be worth the 2-1/2 hour drive. Just stop for ice cream before coming home.
Blessings,
Lee
But, but, but - one child is doing the CAT, and the other does non-test assessment. How does that translate to the WASL?
By the way, does anyone know of someone around the south Seattle area who does non-test assessments? Last year I went down the list on the WHO website to find someone within an hour's drive, and I only found one gal who said "Yes, I do those." Then after we had a wonderful assessment from her, she MOVED 2 1/2 hours away!!! The rest of the people on the WHO list either said, "I don't do those anymore," and a couple people on the list even asked, "What's a non-test assessment?"
Cindy,
It's different for every state, and it can take a LOT of googling :-) Try looking at your newspaper website first, but it can be hard to track down.
Blessings,
Lee
How do you find the public school test scores? I am sure the school will not embrace the idea of sharing.
Hmmmmmm... And that person was a certified teacher giving that test? Oh my goodness, that's just NOT fair, and NOT right!! I'm so sorry, Teresa. It must feel pretty good to get 75% in that situation, I suppose. Ugh!
Blessings,
Lee
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Linda Thieman, Lee Binz. Lee Binz said: Why #homeschool parents should compare their children's standardized test scores to other schools: http://wp.me/pctmJ-Pm #homeschool [...]
Although when your son totally freaks out at the testing centre and is told he will be capable of completing the tests, which are scheduled for 3 days, in a day and a half and beleives the ajudicator so fails to read the questions and only scores 75%, it becomes completely demoralizing. I am sure testing has its place and we will practise taking more tests to work on timeing etc but the are not always a true measure of where your kids are