by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: May 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

Every home schooling parents wants their child to excel. Because home schooling parents choose the curriculum they use, parents have total control over what their children are learning and at the pace in which their children are learning. These same parents also wonder how to measure their child's progression in their academic endeavors, if their child is keeping up with traditionally schooled children, and if their child will be ready for their post-home schooling life - college or the workforce. This may not seem like an easy task. As with all other areas of home schooling, measuring the child's progress can be done several ways.

Depending on where you live, there may be local and state laws that require your home schooled student to be evaluated periodically to make sure they are keeping up with the traditionally schooled students. This evaluation may be taking a standardized tests. Sometimes it can be as simple as giving proof (work samples, test scores, etc.) of the education you are providing your child to the governing body. Some states may require that your home schooled student be interviewed and/or given an informal oral exam, to make sure that progress is being made. Be sure that you know the laws concerning home schooling in your area, keeping accurate records and documentation, and following all of the regulations the state requires. Information about these laws can be found by calling your state's Department of Education, your local school district's administrative office as well as many different resources on-line.

Standardized testing is a way that you, personally, can monitor your child's progress. These are available to children of all ages. Many of these tests can be administered at home. Depending upon the specific test, you may to have send it off (through email or the postal service) to have it evaluated. In some cases, there are fees for both getting the test and having it scored. Information about these different tests can be obtained on-line, local libraries, and your local school district or your state's Board of Education. Be sure to research these tests well; some are scams seeking home schooling parents to pay fees for bogus tests or buy sub-standard home schooling products.

For older students preparing for college, the same standardized tests are available to them as traditionally schooled students. ACT and SAT are standardized test most soon-to-be college students take. The scores obtained on these tests help determine not only

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