I will not ask your child to jump through hoops for me.
This is what I say to new clients who ask about my homeschool portfolio evaluation services.
A few years ago, in my local area, it was common to hear from homeschooling families that their portfolio evaluator “tested” their kids during a portfolio evaluation. My initial reaction: WHY?!
During a portfolio evaluation with me, I will not ask your child to read aloud to me, do math computations for me, or recite the dates of the major battles in the Civil War. There are, however, certain things that all homeschool evaluators must look for according to their state laws, and a portfolio evaluation does not include any of those things listed above for the states of Florida and Virginia, where the bulk of my clients reside.
Always check your state’s requirements.
We are so fortunate as homeschoolers across the country to have several options to choose from when it comes to providing evidence that our students have made progress each year. The benefits of using the portfolio evaluation option are many. Just take a look at this article.
The portfolio gives you and me a much more comprehensive picture of your child’s progress than any standardized or nationally normed test, that I do homeschool portfolio reviews exclusively. Testing does have its place. I have had my girls test in addition to reviewing their portfolio and I often recommend that my clients do both as well.
About Portfolios
Portfolio assessments provide an authentic way of demonstrating progress, skills and accomplishments. If I ask your child to read aloud to me, in order to assess his/her fluency, what would I be basing that day’s progress on? I would not know how your child’s fluency was at the beginning of your homeschool year in order to compare.
Similarly, if I ask your student to take a math test for me, or any other one-time summative assessment, I would need a standard or benchmark with which to compare.
Alternatives to an Annual Portfolio Review
Many families opt to homeschool under a private umbrella school, rather than sign up with their county school board. When you register with a private umbrella school, you do not need to show any type of proof of progress at the end of the school year. The only thing you have to show is that you have met the mandatory 180 day attendance requirement. Our umbrella school, Life Learning Academy, may be the right choice for your family. Life Learning Academy is a private school which allows you to remain in control of your child’s education. You can choose the curriculum you’d like to use, you can choose to test (or not test) your kids, and you do not have to send the county any proof of progress at the end of your school year. Of course, you may choose to assess your children yourself as you go along so that you can see how they’re progressing. Read on to find out how.
Formative and Summative Assessments
A portfolio should include any type of formative or summative assessments that you, (the teacher) have done throughout the year. The difference between formative and summative assessments is that formative assessments are given by you (the teacher) and help you monitor progress and provide feedback as you go along. For example, you are reading a great work of literature with your student, and you pause at the end of every chapter in order to assess comprehension. You provide feedback and identify any areas of strength or weakness which will help your student improve their learning.
Summative assessments are assessments that come at the end of a unit or course, and will examine your student’s learning by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. For example, you may make up your own grading rubric after doing a unit study on Shakespeare. You then ask your student to compare Romeo and Juliet to Julius Caesar by designing a multimedia project. Your grading rubric shows your student details of what you expect out of their paper or project which you will later use to “grade” it.
What to Expect During Your Homeschool Portfolio Review
During a portfolio review, I like to see YOUR formative and summative assessments included in the child’s portfolio. I am happy to listen to your child read so that I can assess fluency if you would like me to, however, I never include this as part of my portfolio evaluation process, nor does the law in my state ask me to.
I am concerned that if homeschool evaluators who conduct annual portfolio reviews continue to ask their students to do these types of activities as a general rule, that they will be setting a precedent for this, and eventually our homeschool-friendly state will be adding these requirements to the law so that all homeschool evaluators will then put your child to the test.
As a homeschooling parent myself, I rather enjoy my freedom to be able to decide whether or not I want another person to administer (any type of) test to my children. I certainly wouldn’t want my children to have to be subjected to it during a portfolio review.
I offer convenient, stress-free, distance portfolio evaluations to homeschoolers in Florida, Virginia as a way for families to prove progress. I also offer portfolio evaluations to homeschoolers worldwide as an assessment tool for parent’s peace of mind.
Learn more about the benefits of distance evaluations here.
I invite you to become a part of my Homeschool Helpline group. In this small group setting you have access to my experience and expertise in a multitude of ways, which will bring you all the confidence and the peace you need for a successful homeschool.
You can read more about Life Learning Academy, our private umbrella school for homeschoolers here. Our private school, Life Learning Academy offers support for your entire homeschool family: parents, students and younger siblings. Life Learning Academy offers a wide support staff if and when you might need them including an expert on ESE students (dyslexia, giftedness and more); a speech/language pathologist and an expert on schooling kids on the Autism spectrum.
I found your blog via paper.li — I’m now in a state that requires either testing or an evaluation and I haven’t decided which would be better for my kids. I appreciate hearing about portfolio evaluations from the point of view of an assessor!
I’m glad this was helpful for you, Lee! Here are my thoughts about the California Achievement Test.
Yes, it’s different depending on the state, but this is great info for FL!
Thanks, Nicolette!
I’m a homeschooler in Florida and love the portfolio option we have. It appears you and I feel similar in our style. Blessings to you on your journey 🙂
Same to you, Stephanie!
Great information! I am actually helping a friend do some research for this. Thanks for sharing!
Great! Thanks, Kristi Ann. If your friend needs any help or info, please ask them to email me. I’m happy to help.
Great information for mothers who homeschool!
Thanks, Heidi!
I homeschooled and we never had to do evaluations. I guess I didn’t realize some place have that.
Laura, it really varies a lot from state to state!
How interesting! I homeschooled all of my kids in California, but through a charter school. It was a great experience.
I have a friend who did this in CA, too. She loved it.
Good information to know if you plan on homeschooling. Thanks for clearing up the misconceptions.
You’re welcome!
I don’t know much about homeschooling and your article was very helpful and informative. Thanks!
I’m glad it was helpful!
Great perspective on learning! I like this!
Thanks, Jessica!
A pretty informed perspective on homeschool testing.
Thanks, Verla!
I always wondered how homeschoolers’ progress was evaluated. How nice to get to ditch the standardized testing! I wish portfolios were an option for all our kids. Maybe someday? ??♀️❤️
It would be nice, wouldn’t it?!
Fingers crossed!
Great information for anyone who is going to home school. Thanks for this info.
Very insightful and informative. Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t know homeschoolers were required to have an assessment! Good informtaiton!
Jamie, it really depends on what state you live in. Here in FL, one of our options is a portfolio review.
Jamie, it just depends on what state you live in and what the requirements are. Here in FL, it’s one of our options. 😀
I’ve thought about homeschooling, but never about the evaluations before. It’s like duh! Good to know if I ever go down that route in the future.