WordPress.com



***2015 UPDATED***TESTING AND EVALUATING INTRODUCTION:Here is the latest update from Suzanne Tallman, Home Education and Private Tutoring Advisor for PA Department of Education as of December 31, 2014:Significant changes in the homeschooling law were enacted by HB1013 (Act 169) in October but the PDE website does not yet reflect those updates – that likely will take a month or so to complete (we are working through all the implications). An initial draft of a home education diploma is being reviewed.?The two main changes are that:(1) the obligation/authority to review the portfolio now is reserved to the Home Education Evaluator, whose evaluation still must be turned in to the superintendent, and that (2) parent-issued diplomas will be recognized by the state just as is any district-issued diploma (must be signed on a form created by the PA Department of Education). ?These changes are discussed in a little more detail on the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) webpage.And here is a little bit about me and A Heart for Homeschooling - Hi!? I am a certified teacher and a homeschool mom at heart, although officially an “empty desker” as my children have graduated from homeschooling through high school!? I have been administering standardized tests, providing educational and vocational consulting, and conducting evaluations since 2001.? Whether new to homeschooling or after homeschooling many years, this is the time of year many families are realizing their child may need to take a standardized test or have an end of year evaluation.? From the PA State Homeschool Law:Pennsylvania's law governing home education programs requires standardized testing in grades 3, 5, and 8. Families have the option of participating in the tests administered to public school students in these grade levels or taking one of the nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. As of July 1, 2009, the Department of Education revised the list of approved tests as follows: California Achievement Test Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV) Iowa Test of Basic Skills Metropolitan Achievement Test Peabody Achievement Individual Test—Revised Version Stanford Achievement Test Terra Nova Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement IIII offer the Peabody Individual Achievement Test with Revised Norms.? (PIAT/R-NU).? The PIAT can be taken at anytime as the score is based on the child’s age, not his/her mastery in the grade level or curriculum. There is no practice test available for the PIAT, and there is no real way to prepare your child or review to increase scores.? Most of the tests listed above are traditional fill-in-the-little-circle type tests that require the child to complete booklets filled with questions over a few hours or days.? The PIAT provides the child with a much more pleasant testing experience, in a one with one setting.From a distributor:Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised-Normative Update (PIAT-R/NU) is an efficient individual measure of academic achievement. Reading, mathematics, and spelling are assessed in a simple, nonthreatening format that requires only a pointing response for most items.Reading Recognition—100 items measure recognition of printed letters and the ability to read words aloud. Reading Comprehension—82 items measure reading comprehension. The student chooses one of four pictures that best illustrates a sentence. Mathematics—100 multiple choice items test knowledge and application of math concepts and facts. Spelling—100 multiple choice items measure recognition of correct word spelling. The entire test is completed without the child using a pen or pencil...all verbal responses.? The child is not required to answer all 382 questions...the same test can be administered to students in grades K-12, so the total number of items scored is based on the child's ability and age. The test can only be administered to one child at a time because it is so individualized.? A one hour time frame covers the administration and scoring of the test and also the report with the parent.? A family of two may be able to complete 2 tests in 90 minutes.? Families are able to take test results home with them that day.? $40 (payable by cash or check) covers the test, its administration and the results.? 10% discount for families with more than one test.? ($40 + $40 = $80 - $8 = $72.? Homeschool groups testing all in one day (group leader sets appointments) may receive a discount also.? Please contact me for more information.I typically meet families at Calvary Church in Souderton or Quakertown Library for testing during February, March and April.? I also meet families there for evaluations when the time comes in May and June! Please check my website for more information: Evaluation info:The evaluation process involves us (you, your child and me) meeting for approximately one hour to go over the portfolio you have prepared for your child.? By law I am required to perform two duties at the evaluation: Interview your child and review the portfolio to determine that an appropriate education has taken place.? My interview consists of asking both the parent and the child about the high and low points of this past year as well as dreams and goals for next year.? Some evaluators see this as a time to verbally test academic achievement.? I do not.? My goal is to assist families as they comply with the state, and to encourage them on this journey!From the PA State Law:? In order to demonstrate that appropriate education is occurring, the supervisor of the home education program shall provide and maintain on file the following documentation for each student enrolled in the home education program:A portfolio of records and materials. The portfolio shall consist of a log, made contemporaneously with the instruction, which designates by title the reading materials used, samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student and in grades three, five and eight results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics or the results of Statewide tests administered in these grade levels. Just a few hints here:The portfolio needs to do a basic job:? Provide samples demonstrating student's progress.? Keep this in mind as you pull examples from the stacks of materials that your children produce.? You also need to include the important paperwork like your log, your book list, standardized test results (if applicable) and a fire safety paper. Do not include items that you handed in at the beginning of the year. Health records, affidavit, objectives, etc. do not belong in the portfolio. - Portfolio = Many use a 1, 2 or 3" 3 ring binder with child’s name and year and contact information clearly marked on the cover. Include page dividers for the major subjects like:1. Administrative: - Log = include a simple calendar or list of total number of days of "education"...book days, worksheet days, field trip days, travel days, church days, special project days all "count" - You do not need to hand in your plan book - or planning pieces of paper- or teacher's guides. - Book List = the student's ongoing list of curriculum and books read and/or media used for all subjects, assignments and leisure...just a list, no summaries, no dates, no authors necessary- Standardized Test - only those in grades 3, 5 and 8 must include test results...any child may take the tests, results are only necessary for the three grades listed.For Major subject areas below: Samples = samples demonstrating progress means samples, not stacks of workbooks...set aside beginning, middle and end of year examples for each of the major subject areas (or wait until the end of the year and gather appropriately). Evaluators need to verify that progress has been made. This is difficult with only 3 or 4 samples, yet 100 pages is too many. Find a meaningful balance which honestly represents the child’s educational journey.2. Bible (optional) - Sunday School papers, Bible reading lists, etc.?3. Language Arts - original creative writing, reflective essays, daily journal entries, narrations, research reports, (handwritten samples are always nice to see as they are a "snapshot" of the?child's abilities for this year) ?(for older children, include the entire writing process from brainstorming and outlining to edited copies and final draft.) English/Spelling/Vocabulary worksheets, Handwriting practice pages; Reading - worksheets, tests, book reports (Keep all these as one section of your portfolio. There is no need to separate each subset within Language Arts.)4. Math - worksheets, tests, practice pages, etc.5. Science - lab sheets, coloring pages, notes, tests, drawings, nature journals, internet puzzle pages, etc. 6. Social Studies – narrations, tests, worksheets, notes, time line, reports, Geography, Civics, History, Economics, World Cultures, etc.7. Misc – Fire Safety, Field Trips, Gym, Foreign Language, Computer (the study of Technology, not necessarily computer games), Health, 4-H, Scouts, Certificates of Participation, Community Service, Music and Arts. (These are not all required each year, except fire safety. Fire Safety is required every year. Your affidavit attests that you will include them in the elementary years…not everything every year!) Any type of paper trail is sufficient: simply write a summary of the event or practice (like bike riding or field trips), include a photo, a child’s drawing, highlight a brochure or program from a recital, etc.Please do not stress about the portfolio or the evaluation!? The portfolio ends up being a blessing seeing all that you and your child have accomplished this year!!? And the evaluation is simply a time (required by law!) for me to make sure your "ducks are in a row" in order to finalize your school year!I typically meet families at Calvary Church in Souderton or at Quakertown Library.? An evaluation takes about one hour and I charge $50.? 10% discount for multiples.? We can schedule a time in May or June or whenever your school year is close to being finished.? It is best to schedule your appointment early (February or March) so we know we can fit it in before the evaluation letter is due to the school district by June 30 each year. Please check my website for more information: Cathy MuscaraCAMuscara@“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all God's works and consider what His hands have done.”Psalm 143:5 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download