Home School Testing –
Should You or Shouldn’t You?

Deciding whether or not to subject your children to home school testing? You are not alone!

Whether you are a new or veteran home school parent, the home school testing question seems to come around every year.

Finding the answer, may be as simple as looking at your state’s home schooling laws.

In some states, testing is required. You can easily visit your government’s website to find out if it is one of the homeschooling requirements for you.

If it is not required, why would you want to test your home school students?

Here are a few reasons why parents choose to test in their home school:

To see how your child is mastering areas of study.

You will know if your child is ready for the next level or needs more time to focus on an area, before moving on.

However, don’t rely solely on tests to gauge your child’s ability. Some children do horribly at written tests, but do well with oral tests.

Test-taking can affect your child’s self-image negatively. Children can easily feel like their performance on tests correlates to their self-worth.

Home school testing should be a positive, enjoyable experience for you and your child.

Use tests as a tool.

Don’t get hung up on tests and scores. Your child’s character is more important than good grades, a high IQ or perfect test scores.

To discover any learning or comprehension weaknesses.

Your child may just not do well with written tests. Oral quizzes, or assessments done via the computer, either through a software program or online, maybe a perfect solution.

Don’t forget that children develop differently. If your child is young, you have lots of time to worry about their test-taking ability!

Look at other activities in their education as a measuring gauge. Projects, oral review, ability to listen and follow directions, and their interaction with you and others can indicate that your child is learning and progressing in their educational and character development.

Your child may get all the answers correct on a test, but still not know how to apply their knowledge to everyday situations.

To discover gaps in your child’s education.

Remember that you can be more relaxed in your schooling if you decide to home school for a longer period. You don’t have to wait to cover certain subjects in a specific grade.

You may study the solar system a year earlier than required or a year later… usually it doesn’t matter.

Please Note: If you are only going to home school for a short time, following your districts scope and sequence is recommended, so that your child will be on track when they enter regular school again.

To measure your child’s progress each year.

Remember to remain positive when looking at test results. Use them to motivate your child, never to compare them to others or discourage them. You want your children to love learning and know they are special and unique, no matter how well they do in school.

Many famous people failed in school but went on to lead very successful, extraordinary lives.

Who you may ask?

Over 716 people, as a matter of fact - including eight presidents and ten Nobel Prize winners!

Parents want affirmation that their homeschooling is effective and they are doing the right thing. Home school testing certainly can serve as a confidence booster, but there are many ways to gauge how you are doing at home schooling.

Using tests to build your confidence is one way, but don’t discount your child’s character, attitude and other abilities that tests can’t measure.

Do you have a great story about this? How about some great test taking tips? What works for you? Please share it!