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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Testing
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Tell me again that state testing isn't that important. Tell me that my child at some point will get that a capital letter begins a sentence and a period ends a sentence. Tell me that a parent can worry more over this than the child, yet the parent can stress the child for no good reason. I have to let go that state testing is just not that important. Its the first test we will take (get that?-- we, as if I am taking it with her). But in a sense it is a test for mom/teacher too. After all if she doesn't do well I am to blame right? And if she does great, well then, good job mom! I know that the most important thing for her to have is the knowledge of God and a character that shows godliness and righteousness. I also know that these character traits take a whole childhood and beyond to develop. It's funny because I still shake my head in wonder-"why did God call me to homeschool?" I wouldn't change it; I couldn't do anything different. I just wonder if there is more for me to learn in all this than my children.
Susan
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by chickadee |
my daughter will be testing for the first time next year so i will probably be asking the same thing by then.
i know those tests appear to measure knowledge but i don't think they do. you know what your daughter knows. take me for example. i scored amazingly, horribly low on the act test that i took to get into college. but where i went did not require a high score, only that you take the test. i got in, i passed, got my master's degree, taught school. did the act test matter in my life? did it show how stupid i was?
i thought so then, but i don't now.
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Rebeca |
Hi Susan,
I was going to email and see how things are going this week- I forgot you're preparing for The Test! I heard on KLCC the other day that only 29% of Fourth Grade kids are proficient readers- that's the system she's being tested against! She will do just fine! (And so will you!)
Hope all else is well. We are busy getting ready for the wedding this weekend, and then family in town next week.
We had a great time with you Friday.
Rebeca
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by hsmomof2 |
I am asking the same questions myself right now. We have to test next year, but I know my unconventional learner is going to struggle. He's a smart kid (if I do say so myself) but not in a way that shows up in timed tests.
Testing irritates me for many reasons, not the least of which is that private school students do not have to be tested in Oregon. So if I sent my kid to a private school I would not have to notify or test. I wonder what the difference is... |
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by sagerats |
Isn't it funny how we can get so caught up in a test? If the state didn't require testing, many of us wouldn't even bother with it. At the very least, we would have our children take the test, but just to see where they stand.
I believe it's the mandatory testing, the pressure to prove to the state, the world, and our concerned friends and family that cause us to desire a good score. We want to put our best foot forward in the way that society deems acceptable. We want to prove that homeschooling works.
Keep it all in perspective! At least in this state they only have to score in the 15th percentile or above.
Abiding in the Vine! |
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Aligirl |
we will be keeping you in our prayers. I am dreading the testing part. I have 2 years to go before Ethan needs tested. (end of 3rd grade..right?) Something that I have always wondered..is if a homeschool child does poorly on a test (which is rare in itself), what can the state do? Tell you to focus more on a certain subject? It doesn't seem like they can do anything. I haven't looked into the testing a whole lot yet. I am sure your daughter will do just fine though. It's just very unnerving.
God Bless!
Ali |
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by nsremom |
I have tested my oldest child 3 times (at home under my loving supervision) and my oldest daughter has tested once at home. I use FLO (I think it's family learning.org.) A parent can be the proctor for the test. They send you the test, you do it and then they grade it and send you the results.
Frankly. I was glad to do it. The first year it was a..."See, I'm not harming my kid....grandpa and grandma" The second year it was a, "Well, still doing great...no big deal" Last year I did it just for me. I wanted to see what sorts of things were asked on the tests and where my holes were. Ya know what? I found out that I already KNEW where the holes were and it wasn't shocking or surprising at all. My daughter was lacking in some science facts....I hadn't even taught them to her.....and my son hates being timed for anything so he'd stress and not read the directions and miss some crucial details. But I knew he was like that. No surprise here.
I'm personally glad I tested them and I keep my own records, don't show them to anyone. My third child is behind in some areas and if I choose to have her test when she's older I'm not going to stress her out, it's going to be low key.
It is annoying to have to do ANYTHING that anyone 'tells me to' other then My husband and My God. But, all in all. It didn't rock my world or make me doubt or even annoy me. It was just another school day. |
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Thursday, May 4, 2006 - I wish there was another test |
| Posted by homeskool |
| How often do we as adults take standardized test? I personally haven't. But, I have accomplished much more by being polite, kind, and helping people who need it. I wish they had a test that helped us see how our children are developing spiritually. I would rather have a child (or have my children marry someone) who has Godly character than who remembers that a sentence begins with a capital letter. Besides the other will come!!! |
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Thursday, May 4, 2006 - Hmm interesting :) |
| Posted by Suzie |
Testing is not required in FL, however I my kids where SAT tested when they wore in private school in Calif.. and to be honest I was glad.. it showed me what level they wore at compared to the state and how much they knew... I also took under consideration that kids get nervous, and distracted.. which helps when you analize their results... I also want them to be prepared as they get into college take testing with the grain of salt instead of being afraid of it...This year I had both tested with Bob Jones Test... Since my son is freshman in high school this year, I need to prepare him for college... I will have him take the SAT next year, but I will do research on taking that test this year... get help programs and so on...
I talked to a student at the University of FL and he said doing the SAT pre-test programs are very helpful and is what helped him get a schoolarship for school...
Since they word things in a tricky way... I think testing is good for our kids they are being exposed to what life will be like and prepares them for the future...
Anyways that is just how I feel and what I feel God has put in my heart... :)
Have a great day! - Suzie |
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Thursday, May 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by MintFlower |
I have mixed feelings about testing. On one hand, it totally goes against my "philosophy" of educating and discilpling my children. I wouldn't do it except we have to in Oregon, unless maybe i was really curious or concerned ( I have some friends that test yearly, not just benchmark years, because they like to.) We will spend 3 days testing next week because i have a 3rd, 5th, and 8th grader this year, plus the time we spent doing the practice tests, plus the cost of the practice tests and the tests and driving and gas (it's a ways to where we test) So, it's a hassle, it doesn't fit with the direction I want to teach. i feel like it's just a "hoop" to jump through. My daughter will start High school next year and we are trying to figure out how to mesh our ideas with getting an education that looks good on a transcript. Once again, it's a compromise of some of my ideas about practical education.
On the other hand, taking the test has reassured me that we are on track and shown me a few places where there's a little more we can work on. It also makes me thankful that that's all we have to do for our state. the kids actually like it. The lady who tests them is great, she makes brownies and lives out on a Christmas tree farm by the river and they like going there. i guess filling in all the little circles and getting numbered scores is a novelty for them!
Next week will be busy but we try to make the best of it and be positive about it. |
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Thursday, May 4, 2006 - repeat after me: |
| Posted by heartmatters |
"this is a test. this is only a test." Sirens wailing are optional.
So glad there is no standardized testing for housekeeping!
~jen at /heartmatters |
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Thursday, May 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by spunkyhomeschool |
| There's always taking the test if you must but not opening up to see the results. Do you think that might work? |
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Saturday, May 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by SandBetweenMyToes |
We took Ashley out of ps after the first 6 weeks of 2nd grade. I remember feeling the same way you do the first time she tested. Would it show that I was failing at teaching her? I knew nothing about homeschooling; it wasn't something we had originally planned. But, you know what? she did great, and both my older ones did everytime they tested. We are with an umbrella school now that does not require testing, so they hadn't taken one in a long time until they took their ACT. So, I was back to being a little nervous again. AFterall, I kept them home through high school, and we are pretty relaxed homeschoolers--certainly nothing that would "prepare" them for the test, except math (and math is their weakest subject). Ashley scored in the 93%, and Briana just took hers last month and scored in the 97%. Homeschooling works!
However, I have seen some kids get really stressed over the tests, and some like my 3rd daughter would have a hard time sitting there that long, concentrating. So many things can affect those scores. Even though my older girls did great, one of those tests would in no way reflect Marissa's knowledge. Try not to get too hung up on it. If you feel you are doing what the Lord has called you to do, then you have passed the only test worth worrying over. If she does great...Great! If not, don't let it be a reflection on you. There are a lot of things to consider. I pray you have peace.
Letitia |
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Hi Again!
I agree with sagerats above, if it wasn't required, most of us wouldn't bother. Oh, how true that is. I am located in Florida where homeschoool guidelines are so vague the people who wrote them can't even figure them out. Pretty much anything goes which is such a load off the parents. This would be our first year testing as well that is IF we were testing. Florida allows parents to have any certified teacher review the child's portfolio and if the teacher signs off, mom did a great job! I will be taking this route, not because I don't think Brooke can't pass the testing but because it is the stress free route. I admit I am taking the easy one....lol.
As for your upcoming testing, I don't think you need to worry at all. The things they are tested on are so easy she will fly through it without a problem.
Hugs,
Kim
http://www.dailyrelease.blogspot.com |
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