I was quite nervous; we were not required to test our children in California. However, our new state of Colorado requires testing! Would they do well, or would the test prove that I am a failure as a teacher? I feared the latter. Although the test was for the children, I felt like their results would reflect on my ability or lack of ability to teach. I prayed, “LORD, help!” 

After a week of testing each child, the results came in. They all averaged at least three grade levels higher than the general population of test takers in their grades. What?!? Even I was a bit shocked. I knew it was not because of my great teaching skills (I feel like we have gaps; we don’t cover enough subjects adequately, and I don’t spend enough time with each child, etc., etc.), and not because my children are superior or brainy (pretty normal kids), but maybe because we pray for wisdom, try to do our best, stay consistent, and leave the rest in God’s hands. We have time for creative and critical thinking, nature exploration, and lots of good reading. The kids get enough rest, good nutrition, and affection—all proven to be beneficial for increased learning. Who knew? Homeschoolers, that’s who!

Here are a few benefits of testing:

• Test results can guide us in our curriculum choices for the next year. 
• Our children learn to take the first of many tests that may come in their academic future. 
• Test results confirm that our children have done well despite us. It encourages us to continue on the journey. 

Homeschooling rocks the testing world in so many ways. Check out NHERI’s Research Facts on Homeschooling.* Here are some amazing facts:

• Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education or their family’s household income. 
• Whether homeschool parents were ever certified teachers is not related to their children’s academic achievement. 
• Degree of state control and regulation of homeschooling is not related to academic achievement. 
• Homeschool students are increasingly being actively recruited by colleges. 
  
  

You are doing well (and so are your kids) by keeping your children Home Where They Belong!

~Deborah 

[email protected]

The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing, by Zan Tyler

Grading Middle School and High School Essays With Confidence, by Sharon Watson

Is Your Child a Poor Test Taker? 3 Ways to Improve Scores, by Dianne Craft

*Copyright © 2016 by Brian D. Ray, rev. Mar. 23, 2016

Like almost every other area regarding our children, the topic of testing and grading is one where the right approach depends on the specific child’s age and educational needs.

Let me be clear that if you live in a state that requires testing or grading, then you should comply with those laws. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1 ESV*). But beyond what is required, how should we think about grading and testing?

I am among those who honestly think we test and keep grades because the school system has always done it. Teachers needed a method to track the child’s progress. It was readily available if the principal or the parent asked for it. However, if someone asks us how our child does in a certain subject we don’t have to go to a filing cabinet to look up a progress report. We know right away what our child’s strengths and weaknesses are. Therefore, I am not hung up on assigning grades to young children. But during high school, grades are more important for transcripts, so tracking grades in the elementary years may be a good exercise to prepare you for later.

Testing, however, is a mixed bag. Standardized testing has serious flaws and everyone knows it. Public school teachers are pressured to teach tests which devastates learning altogether. In many states, homeschoolers are required to take the same tests. Several years ago, when our state required the Iowa test, I watched my daughter in the rearview mirror lean over the seat and say, “Hey, did you get the test with the tortilla question?” Her sister laughed and said, “Yes,” and another daughter piped in and said she remembered that one, too! They had administered the same test for three consecutive grade levels for so long that the kids made a game of it. This was anything but helpful for me to determine how my children were doing academically.

Testing has its place though. As the child gets older and starts learning more independently, you can lose the feel for what they are retaining. Testing can expose gaps that need to be filled, so I administer tests that come with the curriculum. This has always been sufficient enough to let me know if they have a proficient understanding of the subject or not.

It’s also unreasonable to think that our children will never test. We don’t want them staring at the ACT sweating bullets because they were never taught to test. This could rob them of important opportunities (including scholarships). Earlier testing can provide good practice that will benefit them in the future.

Bottom line: Customize your homeschool to what works best for your child. My goal to homeschool my children was never to ace tests. (I’m sure that’s good news for my not-so-good test takers!) My goal was to be faithful with the time and the children God gave me. Sometimes that requires testing and grading and sometimes it doesn’t.

~ Kerry

Kerry Tittle is a mother of 9 children and an 18-year homeschool veteran. She was the founder of ReformationKidz Publishing that was lost to a natural disaster. Her desire is to honor Christ while encouraging parents during the hard years of homeschooling.

*The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
All rights reserved.
ESV Text Edition: 2016