Bearcat Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 If you live somewhere where you have a choice between a portfolio assessment or a standardized test which do you choose? And why? We have a choice and I went with doing the test. I generally think they are of the devil and the public school over emphasis of them is one of the major reasons we decided to homeschool. But.... -Paper trail. The style in which we homeschool does not create much of a paper trail and what paper trail is created I hate hanging onto. Except things like stories they write and other cute or really neat things they create. I am not good at keeping up neat little lists of books read, field trips taken etc etc but I need a paper trail to do a portfolio. -I feel like by doing a portfolio I have to prove something to someone. I don't like feeling like I have to get a stamp of approval on our homeschool. Totally silly I know but that feeling is there. -Laziness. Maybe this goes along with paper trail but I found it immensely easy to do the test and not deal with putting together a portfolio, making an appointment with an assessor, driving to it, yada yada yada. I ordered the test from Family Learning Organization and administered it at home. Easy-peasy. Also, I knew my son would do fine on a test so I was not at all worried about the score. (Only have to score in the 25th percentile and he scored in the 99th.) With all that said though, I am wondering if I should do a portfolio this year? I almost feel like a bad homeschool mom for administering an atrocious standardized test when I don't have to. So, if you have a choice do you test or do a portfolio and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 We don't have a choice - we have to do a portfolio (well, a portfolio that will never be checked - weird rules) but I would do one anyway. If you go that route, I think portfolios can be wonderful ways to keep track. It really helps me have a lot of confidence in our homeschool when I'm feeling down. This is the post I wrote about how we do them. I take a day once every two months and that's it. No other systems really so not too much time on it. That said, everyone I know who has a choice does testing - quick and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 We do testing. I think we'd do okay with a portfolio as well, but my son tests well, and as Farrar said, quick and easy. Of course, this was only our first year hsing, and I plan to continue with the same plan, but I guess we'll see as we go along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmMusa Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I almost feel like a bad homeschool mom for administering an atrocious standardized test when I don't have to. So, if you have a choice do you test or do a portfolio and why? You're not a bad homeschool mom for choosing a test! We all homeschool for so many different reasons. You won't be betraying anyone by going for a test. We homeschool because it works for us. If testing works better for you than trying to keep up with a portfolio then go for it!!:party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillehei Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I don't want the state to have anymore info than they require. We have both testing and portfolio option. I would feel invaded having someone assess what I do with my kids. I do the bare minimum to get by in the state, which is the CAT LA and Math. Even I think that is too much but to each her own. I just feel like it is no one's business what I teach them, how I sequence it and what we do. Also, we do many computer and online supplemental programs, it would be hard for me to get that on paper. Good luck on your choice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydid Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I'm in the same state as OP and we do portfolios. We've found a super relaxed, homeschool friendly assessor who is very encouraging and supportive. I might have chosen differently if we felt like we were being scrutinized, but I don't. I'm not opposed to testing, though, especially as they get older. Standardized test taking is a good skill to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edeemarie Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 We have the same issue with the portfolio- I don't have enough paper work from what we do and I would feel as if I was almost creating something that isn't a true reflection of what we do. So we just started testing and that went just fine (even though I was very nervous about it!). When I saw they only needed 25% I felt much more at ease. I still don't understand how for one choice you have to have a certified teacher evaluate a portfolio, but for the testing all you have to do is write their test score on a piece of paper with no proof of the actual test! Oh well. Don't feel bad about testing- your kids are still getting a great education regardless of the option you choose to report it to the state:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 This is the post I wrote about how we do them. Thanks! I read through it this morning. I really like the idea of keeping a calendar handy to write down classes and field trips etc as we do them. I sound so unorganized. Such a simple concept to put it all on a calendar. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Thanks everyone. Sometimes I just start to second guess myself. It is a terrible character trait to have! :001_smile: A little assurance from others can go a long way sometime. I don't want the state to have anymore info than they require. We have both testing and portfolio option. I would feel invaded having someone assess what I do with my kids. I do the bare minimum to get by in the state, which is the CAT LA and Math. Even I think that is too much but to each her own. I just feel like it is no one's business what I teach them, how I sequence it and what we do. :iagree: See, this is how I feel too. That's what I meant about getting someone's seal of approval. How I do things and how I sequence them is our deal. Isn't that a great benefit for homeschooling! I am thinking of putting together a slim portfolio of work that we keep as a record for ourselves but not one to be assessed by someone else. I still have some things from PS days that occasionally get looked at and laughed at. Something along those lines would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 The other reason to consider testing-if you live in an area where there's a GT enrichment program available and you think your children may benefit, those typically require a 95% standardized test score to prove eligibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 We also have the choice between a test or portfolio and I've chosen to do the portfolio. I set up a 3 ring binder at the beginning of the year for each child and add samples of work throughout the year (math papers, workbook pages, stories, handwriting sheets, programs from activities we've attended) and I take many photos, print them on a piece of paper and add them too. Even without a "paper trail" I'm able to show my kids playing sports, taking nature hikes, doing science experiments or going to the zoo. I use it for my review and then keep it as a keepsake of our year. In early summer I take my portfolio to a local woman. She was a teacher at one of the highest rated schools in the area for many years, but now is a huge supporter of homeschooling. She homeschooled her grandchildren and other people's children, so she is able to recommend materials or books that certain children might enjoy. She even has a supply of homeschooling materials for people who need it. She's always thrilled with the amount of work we've done and has a friendly conversation with the children. She writes a one page paper for the school that says nothing more than "I've reviewed a portfolio and the child is working to his ability". At some point I may choose to test just for the practice and for my own information, but for now we'll continue to use the portfolio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 Well I've done it different ways. Some years I've done just the portfolio review, some years just the testing, and some years BOTH. I actually highly recommend doing the testing once you get to a reasonable age (say 2nd or 3rd). SWB makes a strong argument in favor of it just as a point of comfort for the kids that they know the drill, are used to it, and are relaxed. As a teacher, I find the feedback gives me peace that I'm on the right track and helps me catch holes I didn't perceive. I've taken the results some years to the person doing my portfolio review and it helped to put what she saw in context. I've done the CAT, Woodcock Johnson, etc., and it seems like the results are usually pretty consistent between them. Most places will give you a composite score, and for our state that's all you have to turn in. You can actually blank out and cover the breakdowns so that only the composite shows. For us testing has been a very useful process. I definitely recommend it even if you go with the portfolio review. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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