Yearly Evaluations

Let's Talk About Yearly Evaluations with Felice Gerwitz Podcast #190 Do you worry about yearly homeschool evaluations? Each year homeschoolers are required by law to provide evidence of an increase of knowledge. Depending on several factors including location (where you live) and legalities - your state's policy or homeschool support or "umbrella school," requirements your stress level can soar! Don't worry, veteran homeschool mom will help you overcome testing anxiety with practical tools such as understanding your options or identifying which method will work best for you. Thanks to our sponsors - Second Harvest Curriculum Second Harvest Curriculum Website  | Blog and Facebook Page | Twitter Account | and follow on Pinterest Thanks to our Sponsor - Sony Pictures – Smurfs: The Lost Village   and Download smurfs_discussion_guide   Show Notes: Yearly Evaluations   Standardized Tests * Standardized Tests –for yearly evaluations * Know deadlines * Retest or not * Prepare your kids to sit and bubble in * Don’t cheat * Don’t teach the test * Scores – * Percentile and rankings * Stanine * Grade equivalent Standardized tests are logic tests they don’t test what a child knows - keep this in mind!  - Listen to College Prep Genius Podcast * Don’t freak out * Keep results in perspective – * Remediation - BrainCoachTips.com and  littlegiantsteps.com * Yearly Evaluations – special issues or not * Evaluation is when a teacher (certified) looks over your child’s work progress – typically a portfolio evaluation * Who will you get to do the evaluations? * What to ask evaluator * Simple tests – can be administered * Should get the evaluation on the spot – (I recommend) a letter saying nothing specific goes to the school board * Send school board a basic letter that say your child has made progress. * Don't like the results? You have the option of turning it in or not. * Portfolios for Yearly Evaluations * Simply a 3-ring binder with work progression * A collection of the beginning, middle and end of the year – papers, videos, picture albums, collection of math or writing papers, any tests, or samples of work, list of field trips, books you’ve read as a family and the child individually – any curriculum you’ve used, name and publisher – with of course work samples – I liked to slip sheet some stellar work to highlight in their notebook, lapbooks, etc. – again depending on what is required by law * Your child may be required to be in attendance and most kids love the evaluations so they can show the person all they’ve learned.