Dyslexia and yearly testing...

[Esse Quam Videri]

We are in contract on a property in California, set to close March 21. From what I understand, within two weeks of that date I have to either 1) file with the state as our own "private school" and basically have no regulation or 2) file with a homeschool "charter," meet with a teacher once a month, take annual tests, and get generous amounts for curriculum (enough to cover almost everything) and extra curricular activities ($120/month per child). I can enroll some of my children one way and others another also.

 

For the time being, we are leaning toward the charter. We could use the funds for things I've drooled over but never been able to get (plus pay for how ever many levels of Barton we need) and the extra curricular vendor list is amazing.

 

I am slightly concerned about yearly testing, though, and being in "the system" in general. My older two children are accelerated and will test very high, but DD7 (8 in May) isn't reading and is just starting remediation. Obviously, she won't even be able to complete a typical second grade standardized test. How does the school district handle this? Will she get accommodations through them and be able to have the test read aloud to her? Is the hassle and potential impact of her scoring low worth the financial benefits?

[kirstenhill]

I have no idea how CA charters work, but do you get to pick what standardized test? The ITBS is read aloud to the student in 2nd grade. Of course, the sections of the test that actually test reading comprehension or phonics involve some reading, but at least her scores in other areas wouldn't be affected by the reading struggles.

[PeterPan]

I would go to the CHAT board and post this.  Maybe general, but I think chat would be best.  You just need to hear from people in CA.  

[kitten18]

What part of the state?

Are you on Facebook? I just joined a southern CA charter FB group. It's called So Cal Charter School Info Group. It's a closed group but they approved my request immediately. It's a pretty active group and there are parents there and charter school teachers. I'm sure you could get questions answered there.

 

 

 

I'm just thinking, just because you buy a house in CA on a certain date, doesn't mean you have to be a resident right then.

[Jenn in CA]

We are in contract on a property in California, set to close March 21. From what I understand, within two weeks of that date I have to either 1) file with the state as our own "private school" and basically have no regulation or 2) file with a homeschool "charter," meet with a teacher once a month, take annual tests, and get generous amounts for curriculum (enough to cover almost everything) and extra curricular activities ($120/month per child). I can enroll some of my children one way and others another also.

 

For the time being, we are leaning toward the charter. We could use the funds for things I've drooled over but never been able to get (plus pay for how ever many levels of Barton we need) and the extra curricular vendor list is amazing.

 

I am slightly concerned about yearly testing, though, and being in "the system" in general. My older two children are accelerated and will test very high, but DD7 (8 in May) isn't reading and is just starting remediation. Obviously, she won't even be able to complete a typical second grade standardized test. How does the school district handle this? Will she get accommodations through them and be able to have the test read aloud to her? Is the hassle and potential impact of her scoring low worth the financial benefits?

1. Don't worry about the two week thing. No one is going to check on you. I have never heard of that before.

 

2. State mandated testing in charter schools doesn't start until 3rd grade. Some charters may have their own testing earlier than that. Ours does not.

 

3. Generally your student's performance on state testing will not affect you personally. It's more for the school's accountability with the state. I'm sure there are exceptions of course. My 8yo isn't reading either. My teacher says that when she does the testing next year, it's on the computer, and if she can't read it/can't answer correctly, the computer will be able to tell and the testing will end/adjust. Or something like that. I'm not concerned at all about the results. I'm a little more concerned about it being overwhelming/stressful for dd, but I don't think it will be.

 

4. The way to have a good experience with a charter is by getting a personal recommendation for a good supervising teacher. You may want to wait until you have some good connections in your new locale. My teacher is wonderful, but I was also in a charter with a bad teacher before (at least she wasn't a good fit for us), and I quit after 6 weeks. I had hives the whole time. So I left.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2016 by Jenn in CA

[Esse Quam Videri]

Thank you all. We're moving to Northern CA. I did ask on some local homeschool groups and it sounds like we're going to be fine either way. As mentioned, her scores won't really impact us at all and supposedly it's our legal right to opt out of testing if we choose. We will see how DD feels about it when the time comes. In the meantime, though, she will really love to gymnastics and music options, and I can order the next few levels of Barton.