4Real Forums: Testing or portfolio

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Topic: Testing or portfolio

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kristinannie
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Joined: Jan 27 2011
Location: West Virginia
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Posts: 1363

Posted: Jan 08 2013 at 3:26pm \| IP Logged

I am not sure where to put this conversation so please feel free to move it.

I really cannot decide which choice to make this year. Last year, we did testing because I wanted John Paul to be ready for testing this year. I am starting to really think that testing might not be the best option. I am very much against standardized testing. I think it causes a lot of the problems in our public schools. Our schools do not even start testing until 3rd grade in WV.

Last year, John Paul really enjoyed the testing. They take breaks and the kids can shoot baskets and they have a pizza party. I know that he will have to take standardized tests (like the SAT) so I do think it prepares him for those, especially since I don't use workbooks in school. I do think we could prepare for the SAT when my kids are older though. Testing is also easier than making the portfolio.

That said, I just kind of have a bad feeling about the testing. I don't want him to be stressed about testing. I don't want him to care about the results. I don't think that would happen this year, but it could in the future. I also just think they are ridiculous. Plus, we do CM so we are not on the same schedule as public schools. For example, we don't do spelling and grammar.

As far as a portfolio, we also don't have a huge amount of written work to include. We have ample math sheets and copywork. However, most of our subjects are me reading aloud from a book and the children narrating. I could include a booklist. I also have pictures of some of our science experiments and field trips.

So, what should I do? I would appreciate any advice you could give me.

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mariB
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Joined: Dec 20 2006
Location: Vermont
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Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 6:37am \| IP Logged

Here in Vermont we either test or do a portfolio. I don't know how it is in WV but in VT we can submit art ( like drawing or coloring what you are reading aloud..for instance:
-colonial times drawing a picture or coloring page from that time period. ---For science we are reading a Henri Fabre book, The Story Book of Science, and now studying about ants so I am having my daughter draw an ant colony and if that is too stressful then a coloring page.
-For AMerican/Brit Literature (yes that's a category to be covered in VT) I submit a booklist of books read and poetry memorized whether the child reads the book or I read it.

Every state is different. I hope this helps. I used to think portfolios were difficult but now I think if you just have a few pieces of physical work per quarter, it may be sufficient. Again, your state probably has different standards...although Vermont is quite strict!
Hope this helps!

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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years

vmalott
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Joined: Sept 15 2006
Location: Ohio
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Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 8:58am \| IP Logged

I would do a search for unschoolers in your state and see how they deal with the annual assessment. I specify unschoolers, because they normally don't use a set curriculum and may be light on that paperwork. It may be that you don't have to provide all that much in your portfolio. If WV is like my state, where you can find *any* certified teacher to assess a portfolio, then you might be best off finding an unschooling-friendly assessor and find out what they expect to see in a portfolio.

I have always done a portfolio assessment (in OH) and it really isn't all that much. My first year was overkill...a whole scrapbook that a friend had started for me. It was mostly photos of what we had done with a few examples of written work. I have worked with the same assessor for over 10 years, and he has gotten to know us and our approach to homeschooling, so our assessment has really morphed into discussing things honestly.

Last year I switched to a lady who did it via e-mail. It was a great experience. I wrote up my own assessment of each child, provided photos of things we had done as a family and what each child had done individually, and submitted one piece of written work per child (all math samples). As much as I like the ease of working with our previous assessor, I think going about it this way is a good exercise for me to really focus on each child and how they have progressed.

HTH,

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Valerie
Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
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