Homeschooling is supposed to be hassle free for the child. Its only the parents who need to keep coming up with lesson plans. The general emphasis of stress free education in homeschooling leads to the misconception that homeschoolers do not get formally tested for their skills. This is incorrect as homeschooling families all over the country tend to use standardized tests to check on the progress of their students.
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What is a standardized test?
A standardized test is essentially a test that has been administered and evaluated using a standard methodology. The essential test and testing conditions remain the same no matter which part of the world you perform the test. It allows you to know just where you stand in a group of peers without ever having to meet them. In essence there are two types of standardized tests based on what is being evaluated.
Aptitude Tests
It can help determine the level of skill that a student is likely to display. Examples of this kind of standardized test would include the SAT and ACT. These tests are likely to evaluate what a high school student is likely to perform in college like. It should be remembered that no test is hundred percent accurate when it tries to evaluate a student, however it will give you a good idea about what the student is capable of.
Achievement Tests
These are the tests that are considered by schools and colleges to see what the students have been learning. It allows the outsiders to see how much progress a homeschooled child has made in a particular grade. In a way think of it as a report card for the parents who are tutoring the child at home which is reviewed by the legal authorities.
Which ones should you opt for?
If your child has plans to join a regular college both tests have their own importance. It would be a good idea to document your child’s progress using achievement tests for future college counselors to review. The California Achievement Test, the Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills are good standardized tests for this purpose.
Article Inspiration: About Homeschooling
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Yes you’ll find assessment/tests in the grade level sections, and exercise questions with every unit in the topic section.
Hi,
Are there tests with these units? My kids are doing the journals, but I would like to have them do tests too. Thanks, Cindy