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Dear Homeschool Frederick!,
I have never used achievement tests to test how well my kids are doing. We've homeschooled from day one and never felt a need because they are doing very well with the curriculum we use. But, my friends - who don't homeschool - tell me I should. I'm not against testing my kids. I just haven't really thought about it until now. What do you think?

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Thanks,
Cindi

Dear Cindi,
Regardless of what your friends say, and since testing isn't required in Frederick County, the choice is completely up to you.

Some homeschool parents need milestones to track how their kids are doing, so achievement tests can offer that overall picture of progress. The results from achievement tests will show strengths and weaknesses as reflected in a typical curriculum taught for a specific grade. Especially for middle school and high school age kids, these kinds of tests provide an opportunity to practice "test taking skills" which can be an advantage if they plan to take the GED, college entrance exams, and placement tests.

Conversely, if your kids are progressing to your satisfaction, the need to take an achievement test wouldn't necessarily be high on your list. And, many homeschool parents don't feel it necessary if their kids are achieving certain educational milestones.

Perhaps the best gauge is your kids. Are they interested in taking an achievement test? Are they mature enough to sit through a battery of tests? Will learning the outcome (results) help them work harder or help build their confidence?

If you do decide to test, you have several options: at home testing or group testing. For younger ages, testing at home puts the homeschooler in his/her natural environment and lessens anxiety (especially for first-timers). For older ages, group testing resembles environments found in school-type settings. Some tests require an administrator while others allow you to test at home. A few of the national achievement standards include: Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the California Achievement Test. All tests have an associated cost. Standardized tests are useful to homeschoolers as the scores and percentile rankings are compared to all children in the USA who have taken the same test.

However, you can opt to take the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) -- a test of reading and math achievement that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act -- at no cost. Note that the MSA compares results with public school students who have studied a "no child left behind" curriculum - which may not be fair testing for homeschoolers. Nonetheless, if you are interested, contact your local school to find out more about MSA testing in your local school district.

The end of year is a great time to test if you decide it is best for your family. Many homeschool support groups offer group testing; however, you can easily purchase online for individual home testing. For additional prepping, consider purchasing guides from reliable sources on the internet, local educational centers, or your local homeschool curriculum store.

Sincerely,
HSF! Staff