My daughter went to ps today to have her yearly assessment done. The past years, they have used NWEA to do testing. This year they switched to Gray Oral and KeyMath. I sat in on testing . At the end of 6th grade (this past spring), my daughter tested at a 5th grade reading and a 5th grade math level. Today, she tested at a 4th grade reading level and a 3rd grade math level. wtf??? She's doing so well at home. We pulled her out of ps this year because we felt she wasnt getting the one on one she needed. She was in sped full time for reading and math and regular classromm for science and social studies, with modified (yeah right!) text. She is doing great at home. SHe enjoys her lessons and we have seen some huge improvements. Of course, after the test was graded, the instructer was sort of "See, this is why she should be in ps. Her level is going backwards" I tend to think it's the test and the switching from one to another? Maybe they had her scored to high on the NWEAs? SOme of the questions she got wrong today, I know she has done at home and did them without a problem. What do I do know?
Do you think the levels are not backward sbut the new tests have a different grading system? Thats my first question. We do not test here , its not required and my oldest who tested at Private school admitidly did good or poor depending on his attitude at the time too. My dd opted out of tests to this point but will be testing to get out of Math and English lower levels in College she graduated early and will probably make it in the English.. hopefully the ALgebra as well for College level. Anyway--- if your dd is improving at home , she is probably on a higher level than thier test is showing. Some kids do not test well . I would not worry about what thier new style of test says I would do my own test, find things the right level and have her read for comprehension. kwim?
Hm...I would probably worry also in the situation like this. But, homeschooling (as you mentioned) gives so much one-on-one time; and, if there is regular practice at home, there is absolutely no way to go backwards. I would assume she is still going forward at her own pace, and who knows what her tests would be if she'd still stayed in ps.? I would give her another test, a computer one, at home for you to feel better. Edited to add: maybe you shoul re-consider math curriculum? Math Mammoth is awesome. my 4th grader who was struggling at school with math doing a fantastic job with MM. Although he is in 4th grade, I started math of 3rd grade level, did the very end of it when he felt comfortable; then things got a little harder - we went through that, skipping lots of pages concentrating only on new for him things; then went into 4th grade level, and now doing 4th grade skipping some pages when he feels too comfortable. We homeschool for one month, but with MM DS9 feels so much more confident; I give all the creadit to the author. Regarding reading: DS reads simple chapter books during day to himself; and then in the evening we do read in loud classic (now it is 80 Days Around The World); we both struggle because of so many unfamiliar words, but we repaet them and try to pronounce them correctly. So we do one chapter at a time, but already inproved a lot from what what at the beginning. I am sharing with you my own short experience in hope it may help a little?:roll:
It is also possible, if she was on an IEP, that she received a modified test or had modified testing procedures done. (such as someone helping her read the math questions) Understand that the PS is all about the score, if their students score low then the school gets a bad rating and receives a bad score. A "school in need of improvement" rating is one of the worst things that can happen to a school! Knowing that, I can see how they would do everything possible to have your daughter test higher when she was in PS then when she is homeschooled... Is there any other method of evaluations that your state allows?
Does your state require testing because she is homeschooled or is she tested because she was spec. ed? As long as the state can't say you have to put her back in ps because of scores and you feel she is doing better at home, I would try to put the test behind you and keep doing what you're doing. I would also assume that a new style of test has a lot to do with it. Also, when she was in school, they may have been teaching to the test (if that's possible) which might also make the score seem higher last year and lower this year.
I don't know the specifics of these tests but I would be skeptical about comparing results with two different tests. I agree with MomtoFred.
Sound like the instructor had an agenda. Or maybe she needs to take a course on statistics. Comparing two different tests to show progress or decline isn't necessarily valid. If she personally gave the same test last year and this year and could assess subjectively that the child's testing environment and attitude were similar for each test then she could make a valid comparison. What do you know? You are with her each day. You see progress. Trust that and not a single test.
I don't know what state your in, so what to the test results mean to you homeschooling (in regards to law)? If her scores aren't going to effect your homeschooling her, I'd not worry about it. From your post I see a couple of things going on.... 1-the switch in test-yes, it can make a difference. 2-she's in a weird environment with weird people-this is going to cause stress and in turn, maybe some bad test scores (getting questions you know she knows wrong) If it's not an issue with your state law being able to tell you can't homeschool due to her test scores, I'd put it behind you. Do you have any other options in your state besides testing? You are with your child every day, you know if she is making progress or not. You don't need a test to tell you that. Tests and grades are for teachers of 30 kids that belong to other people. It's a communication tool. The whole system is designed for the PS kids. They just don't know what to do with us homeschoolers so we have to take their test. LOL Can you buy a study guide for next year's test to prepare her better? IF you know in your heart she's making progress, don't worry. A test can be cheated on or messed up and doesn't always measure real knowledge and understanding. Your gut, that's real. Chin up mama!
I think one, the comment 'this is why she should be in public school' was rude. PS may or may not make her test scores better. But what difference does it make if she tests well? It only proves she can memorize facts. Is she learning? Do you see a steady improvement? Those are the things that matter. And I agree that being in a strange enviroment being tested may have effected the score. As also the material may have been stuff you didn't study. I know here I am teaching the kids things they would never learn at their grades levels if they were in PS. Also things they would learn may be are set aside until they are fully ready to have it added to their learning. That can make a huge difference in testing. Take heart. If you only began this year there may indeed be a slight backward slide but she may just surprise you at the end of the year with the one on one at home
Something I haven't read in the previous post is that if the instructor said anything at all to your dd about homeschooling in a negative light, or hinted or anything like that. It very well could have skewed dd's performance, because if someone thinks she is going to do badly she just might. That is just too much pressure. The things I think are most likely to cause this is the help during the previous test, or the way the test were graded. When my sis was in school her state test were graded differently because she was dyslexic. I think the she wasn't taught to the test, which the PS teachers I know says it makes a huge difference.
All I can do is repeat what others have said already. Changing tests definitely makes a difference. Unfamiliar setting. Attitude of the tester. Pressure to perform. On the Gray Oral Reading, if I'm not mistaken, the tester can "grade hard" or "grade easy" depending on their attitude. Sometimes only one or two test items can make big differences in the outcome. On the KeyMath, I think it's several (!!!) pages of math facts - I can't remember if it's timed or not, but that can make a difference too. Also, I have found that for some reason the first year of Not Public School seems to make test scores go down - not sure why, but the second year they seem to go up again and just on and on upward from there. How long have you been homeschooling? I thought I read that you just brought her home this year -- then why on earth are they testing after only a couple of months? Arrange your own testing at the end of the school year - one that you can give at home or have someone give for you at home or at some spot she's comfortable with. You can select the type of test and the grade level of the test (if you choose one that comes in grade levels) according to what grade level you feel she's working at, not according to what grade the ps called her, and not according to chronological age. You can get inexpensive "test prep" books at many grade levels that you can use like workbooks to prepare for standardized tests- just to learn the format and see thing presented in different ways, not for "cramming" content.
I'd wager it's the test. Unfortunately, it's true that ps is all about test scores. As a former ps teacher, I'm pretty skeptical of the benefits of standardized testing anyway. Don't worry too much at this point. Keep track of her progress this year through your own evaluation methods. That will give you a more accurate view of where she is imo. Also, keep in mind that often schools "teach to the test." Does this test measure the same standards/content areas that you have been covering in your homeschool? If not, it's no surprise your dd didn't do as well. Maybe you could even get an old copy of this new test to review so she will be more comfortable with it next year.
You've gotten some insightful comments here. I'm sure she isn't going backward. I suspect the change in test, unfamiliar surroundings, and maybe even not being a stong test taker all had their part in your DD's score. Hang in there. Give your girl a big hug. While I do have my kids take test periodically, just for the practice, I don't feel like it is necessary. Working with her one on one, you know what she gets and doesn't get. Just keep plugging away, a little each day, and you will see improvement. (((((Hugs))))))
I agree with the others who said if it won't affect your ability to homeschool, just put it behind you. You know your child better than anything. I will give an encouraging example: My son loves history. He eats it up. He watches the History Channel voluntarily (and has since he was very young). He knows more than I (OK that doesn't prove much) and a lot of high school grads I would be willing to bet. BUT, if you give him a test (which I did at home for a couple of years) he would barely pass. I would even help him work on what to know for the test (awful, I was teaching to the test). This didn't prove anything. He is learning all the time and sharing with us what he has learned. I tried to find a specific quote but couldn't, but I think Winston Churchill said something like this: "They only test me on what I don't know." Also, if people only went by how others judged them then Einstein probably would have never done anything. Michael Jordan would not have been the great basketball player we know he is. The point is a lot of people were evaluated by others and rated not so great--Who gives a flip. Your child has so much potential and don't you believe anything else.
When I was teaching we were required to teach to the tests and our schools knew which test was going to be used. You are teaching for life long learning. There is a BIG difference in what you are doing as compared to what the ps is doing. Our kids may never test as high because we aren't wasting all our time teaching them the exact facts and test strategies that are needed for the test. I do believe in the long run though our kids will be much better off because they will know how to learn and think for themselves. Those skills are not being tested.
All the responses are right on, IMO. One thing could be your dd felt intimidated with the teacher/method/environment/type of test. She might have felt there was a lot riding on how well she did. Then to have the teacher say, basicly, that's what happens when you homeschool-well that must have made her feel stupid. Ugh! If YOU see successes in your homeschool, I would not sweat it. I know it makes you feel bad, but tests are really not a accurate gauge of what a person knows or understands. Just try to rebuild confidence from here.
(((HUGS))) All the advice here is good. If you're spending one on one time with your daughter, and she's learning - whether quantified on a test or not - she is MUCH BETTER OFF. Tests are just that TESTS. The mean nothing! (((HUGS)))
