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vmalott
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| Posted: June 27 2007 at 8:17am | IP Logged
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Hi folks,
I thought I'd post this here, in the hope that I can gather your opinions on my quandary regarding end of year assessments.
In the state of Ohio we have the option between a portfolio review or standardized testing (there is a third option, but I won't bother discussing it as I don't want to pursue it) for assessments.
We have opted in years past for a portfolio review done by an unschooling-friendly certified teacher. He essentially just signed our paperwork, with the understanding that I know my children's capabilities the best.
ANYWAY...for whatever reason, it seems our annual reviewer is no longer doing assessments. This kind of leaves me in a bit of a bind, wondering what to do. While I do have work we could scrape togehter for each child's portfolio, I'd be remiss to show it to someone who doesn't understand unschooling, KWIM?
Thus, I am considering, for the first time, having the kids take the CAT-E through Seton. It's my understanding this can be done anytime during the year.
I'm just wondering what your thoughts are regarding this option. I don't really care about the scores, per se, as long as they are within the acceptable range for our state (which is, admittedly, quite low). Do any of you do the standardized testing for your end-of-year assessments?
I have a couple of months before I need to get my paperwork filed for the next school year, so it's not a huge rush yet.
Valerie
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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
Seven Times the Fun
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stefoodie
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| Posted: June 27 2007 at 9:05am | IP Logged
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Hi Valerie, I'm in Ohio too! We do the CAT-E from Seton now that we're in Ohio. There's an evaluator I've used twice -- once when we were in PA and last year when we came back here to OH. Her name is Gloria Molek and she's very unschooling-friendly, and certified for OH. If you want, PM me and I'll e-mail her info to you.
I do the CAT now just because it really takes the bite out of end-of-year preparations for me, but since it's an either-or here in OH I'm thinking of doing evaluations one year and testing the next....
hth,
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stef
mom to five
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Cindy
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 9:00am | IP Logged
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Valerie-
I have done the CAT test through Seton most years for my sons mainly so they can learn how to take tests. (we don't test) I found it very useful in that we can talk aobut test taking strategies, and have made a game of it, which helps them see tests for what they are.
It might be a good option for other reasons for your family besides just fulfilling the requirements.
I used to live in Ohio and also had a unschool friendly assesor. Let me know if you need more options as i can see if she stll does them.
Just wanted to let you know how we used the tests in our family- (instead of letting the tests use us!)
Oh, also through Seton we adminstered them ourselves- which was much more calming for my test-phobic son.
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Cindy in Texas
It Is About The Journey
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Lisbet
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 9:30am | IP Logged
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Valerie, I am also in Ohio, and we have a friend that is a certified teacher and he just signs off for each child. Do you have any trusted friends/relatives that maintain their certification? Also, our local homeschooling group 'advertises' for asserers. (is that even a word??) and it seems there are more and more offering their services each year.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
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Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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vmalott
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 1:23pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the responses, ladies! I think we will go ahead and get the tests. It will run me about the same cost for the 3 who need the paperwork done.
Have any of you bothered with the test prep books before doing the tests, or did you just jump right in? I'm thinking they'd be fine just doing the test, but want to make sure.
Valerie
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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
Seven Times the Fun
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Assessment Time
