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 if your child is progressing, but also which college or university will accept your child as a student. These tests can be taken more than once and there is no age requirements for taking them.
Another option for college-bound home schooled students is the Advanced Placement (clep) tests. Not only will they assist you in evaluating your child's progress, college credits are awarded when the tests are passed with a certain grade - potentially saving you and your child money for tuition. These tests can be taken more than once and there are fees for them. Clep tests are available for many subjects including mathematics, sciences, history, and foreign languages. Information about these tests are most readily available at colleges and universities, as well as on-line. Local districts and the Department of Education should also have information available.
There are some home schooling curricula that provide tests that evaluates your child progress. Depending upon which curriculum you use, these tests (and possible fees for grading the tests) are included in the curriculum package. These tests may have to be purchased separately. This is a consideration you should keep in mind when choosing a curriculum.
Local home schooling groups, as always, are invaluable sources of information. Ask members of the group how they evaluate their child's progress and where those evaluations can be obtained. Home schooling parents are usually eager to share and/or trade testing materials as well as information. Although comparing individual children to others is not the best to check your child's progress, it is a good idea to watch your child's home schooled and traditionally schooled peers to see where you child is academically and socially. Ask those specific parents about what their children are learning and compare it to what your child is learning. Keep in mind that every child is different and has his/her own special talents and abilities.
For home schooled students of all ages, there are educational evaluators. Look on-line, local telephone books, and speak with your child's doctor and members of you home schooling group for information about these professional in your area. The Better Business Bureau and the chamber of commerce may also have information. Be careful of scams; check references and education levels of these professionals. Pediatricians who specialize in child development can also conduct these evaluations. Depending on you health insurance, these evaluations may be covered by your insurance. Each evaluator and pediatric specialist will have a slightly different way of conducting the tests. Speak with them or someone in their office so you will know what to expect and bring to the appointment. They may interview the student or look over their completed work or have them take a written test. Request that they do all three, so they will get a better idea of what your child has learned and where you should go from here. Unlike other forms of testing, these professionals will also be able determine if your child is socializing at the same level as their peers. This, too, is an important part of home schooling and should never be overlooked. If think your child has a special area of interest or aptitude (for learning languages, mathematics, science, writing, music, art, etc.), be sure mention them. Take along specific examples of their work in these areas.
For more personal reasons, you may want to keep samples of your child's work. Not only are these treasured memories, but they can also help you gage your child's progress. Label and date all of these items. Be sure the are stored in a manner where they won't be damaged. Scrapbooks, photo albums and video diaries (both for experiments, field trips, talent shows, etc.) are excellent ways to preserve this special time you and your child shared while home schooling. Keeping a journal is a terrific way to monitor progress as well as record thoughts and feelings about your home school experience; both the parent educator and the student would be able to do this.
Monitoring you home schooler's progress is an important aspect of the home schooling process. Not only does it tell you how well your child is doing, but it also helps with self-evaluation of the home schooling parent. Choose which ideas work best for you and your family, always following the legal regulations. You control what your child learns as well as how your student's progress should be evaluated. It can not be stressed enough that every child is an individual, moving at their own pace, with talents and aptitudes unique to them. Remember this as you check your child's progress.