By Karen Lange
I had issues with standardized rests. Did they have a place in our homeschool picture? I wasn’t sure. I knew, of course, that many parents didn’t have a choice, since testing is required in some states. I knew also that some parents use testing to keep track of their children’s progress. But this still wasn’t enough to sell me on the idea completely.
I simply wasn’t thrilled about the idea of testing; just ask my husband. He patiently endured many of my soapbox tirades. They sounded a lot like this:
“Tests don’t measure a child’s character, common sense, and other life skills! A standardized test doesn’t reflect a child’s inquisitive nature. They often reflect short-term memorization, so what good is that? Parents usually know what their kids know, so why test them? Material on standardized tests doesn’t always correlate with homeschool curriculum, so test results could be inaccurate!”
While homeschooling, we lived in New Jersey, where testing isn’t required. In the early years, I didn’t give my kids many formal tests. (Surprise!) Despite my feelings, I knew my kids would probably face tests eventually and I needed to address the issue.
I started by considering where they would encounter tests. College was the first thing that came to mind. “Well, they may not choose to go to college”, I thought, “so we’re off the hook, right?” Before launching into my dance of joy, I realized that they’d be tested for a driver’s license. Then they could be tested for job placement or occupational certifications. They might decide to go to technical or trade school – there’d be tests there for sure. A test or two for other things, such as a summer job as a lifeguard, or at 4H clubs or Scouts, was a possibility as well.
So, I reluctantly put away the soapbox and admitted that I needed to help prepare my kids as best I could. I wanted to give them a healthy perspective and minimize the negative aspects of tests. They needed to develop critical thinking skills and good test-taking strategies. Another important goal was to encourage and equip them to put forth their best effort without stressing over it. Most importantly, they needed to know that their worth as a person didn’t hinge on test results.
Maybe you are right up there on the soapbox with me. (It did seem a little crowded!) Or maybe you aren’t. Maybe you test your kids yearly to check progress, or it’s mandatory in your state. No matter where you are in your thinking, there are simple ways to encourage test readiness and maintain balance. Over the years, I explored test methods and learning styles. I observed kids of all ages and abilities and considered what I was already doing with my kids. I put it together for a more effective strategy than the soapbox speeches.
During the elementary years, I realized that I was already quizzing the kids. We discussed nature hikes and talked about snakes and other things they found in the backyard. They enjoyed impromptu spelling bees (after seeing the National Spelling Bee on T.V.) and games we’d play while driving. We used flash cards, board games, and educational software. These simple things helped them recall details and sharpen thought processes; all good tools to test knowledge and reinforce information without pressure.
I decided to familiarize the kids with different test formats such as matching, fill in the blanks, and multiple choice. We discussed how to think through and answer questions. I stressed the importance of reading the entire question or problem before giving a hasty answer. Eliminating choices that don’t make sense was something else we discussed. I encouraged them to take their time and we worked on tuning out distractions, too.
I am sure you’ve discovered, as I did, that much is learned when preparing to teach or test others. So, I thought it would be helpful for the kids to learn about the flip side of learning. I had them make up games for their siblings to play, with information from our unit studies. I was a little surprised actually; they really got into this. Sometimes they’d adapt a board game or make a game of their own design. There was one perk to this that I hadn’t considered: They were very thoughtful of each other while making up and playing the games. For example, my two oldest, both boys, made sure that they had enough questions that their younger sister could answer. Further development of thinking and reasoning skills was another obvious bonus with this, too.
So how do you know when to start incorporating these things into your educational plan? You know your kids best, and as they grow and learn, you will probably have a sense of what they can handle. You are probably already doing more than you realize. Discuss the things you see and do, as I mentioned above. Flashcards, games, books, and software, are probably things you are already using. Group games are good too, for a bit of a challenge, if you are in a learning co-op or get together occasionally with other like-minded families.
A team of moms from the teen co-op we participated in made up games using the info the kids were studying. Relay races, word play, guessing games, and other activities provided opportunities for an interesting and fun spin on testing. We even adapted Concentration, Jeopardy, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire complete with occasional inexpensive prizes for a little variety. With a good group of kids, a little balanced and healthy challenge can motivate them to mentally stretch a little. We found this approach to be very successful.
For standardized tests, I do recommend waiting, unless it’s required, until age nine or ten at least, or whenever you think that your kids are ready. In the meantime, make up your own versions of tests. Don’t use every test at the end of every chapter, or quiz on everything you’ve studied. Incorporate it in small ways with activities mentioned above or your own ideas. The last thing you want to do is to eliminate the interest-directed discoveries and take the fun and spontaneity out of learning.
It also helps to consider their ability level. Once they know their math facts, for example, consider using timed computation tests. Set your own times, if necessary, to start. Set a few goals; introduce these slowly, even a couple times a year. Any progress forward is a good thing, so don’t stress over every little detail. Think about the big picture and the tools you want to equip them with to be successful adults.
If your kids are older and haven’t had much testing experience, never fear! My oldest son, now twenty-five, didn’t take many official tests at all and has lived to tell about it. (He graduated with honors recently with a degree in mechanical drafting, so he managed to make out okay despite his mother’s view of testing.)
My other son and daughter had a little more experience throughout. When they were in junior high, I discovered the Personal Achievement Summary System (PASS) tests from the Hewitt Foundation. The PASS tests cover reading, language, and math skills for grades 3-8, are parent administered, and are not timed. This was a perfect fit to acquaint them with a test format as they got older. (www.hewitthomeschooling.com)
Depending on after-graduation plans, consider gathering a small group of teens for a test-readiness class. Discuss test formats and how to think quickly and efficiently. Consider testing them together so that they gain experience and can tune out distractions. There are many high school materials such as GED, SAT, and ACT test prep books, and also books with tips on how to study and test well. Teens could also meet on their own to study or quiz each other. One of our co-op sessions included career testing for teens. It wasn’t our most popular session in their eyes, but it was good experience for them, and gave them a little insight into possible career choices.
My adventures on and off the soapbox led me to the belief that test preparation should only be a small part of the homeschool experience. One important goal, especially when they are younger, would be to focus on the process rather than the outcome. Encourage kids to do their best, but don’t stress over results. Results shouldn’t be the determining factor in who they are. Encourage them in this process – it is a part – but not the only thing in life! No matter what path they choose, if they are equipped with skills for life, they will succeed.
Karen Lange is the wife of the above-mentioned patient husband, mother of three grown children (all homeschooled K-12), a freelance writer, homeschool consultant, and the creator of the Homeschool Online Creative Writing Co-op for teens. Email her at [email protected].
