Assessments

Ohio regulations provide three options for the required evaluations:

A nationally-normed standardized test administered by someone authorized by the test publisher (composite score must be at the 25th percentile - please contact HSLDA before submitting any low test scores to the school district); or
A written narrative by an Ohio certified teacher (holding a valid Ohio teaching certificate ,excluding the non-tax certificate issued under Ohio Revised code 3301.071) indicating that the child is making progress in accordance with his/her abilities; or
Some other mutually agreeable method of evaluation. For example, if the Superintendent agrees, you might submit report cards provided by the correspondence program in which the student is enrolled.

Despite the regulations' clear provision regarding testing, public school officials continue to tell home schoolers that they either may or must take proficiency exams required for public school and chartered private school students. The only requirements home schoolers are expected to fulfill are those contained in the home school regulations; no other testing or progress reports are required.

Another issue that always brings questions at this time of year is the submission of the academic results to the school district. Many of you will receive letters indicting that the assessment must be submitted by, for example, June 30th. HSLDA does not necessarily object to voluntary compliance with this type of request (demand); however, you cannot be penalized in any way for non-compliance. The regulations simply require that the assessment be attached to the home school notification for the following school year.

Remember, although Ohio regulations give no deadline for submitting a notification, once public school begins, children must be excused from public school attendance or they can be considered truant. We recommend that you submit your notification before or as soon as public school begins in your school district.

Standardized Testing - a variety of resources are available:

	Obtain test from a supplier and find a person who meets the test publishers' requirements to administer the test to your child.
	Arrange to have your child tested with several other children in the same grade level to help cut costs
	Use testing available through local satellite school, if applicable (contact local support group for other options in your area).
	Local Public School - you contact them and they will tell you when and where. Make certain the scores are sent to you and not the school!
	Click here to download a .pdf file of the achievement testing form (you will need Acrobat Reader to open the file).

How do I prepare for a written narrative assessment?

As set forth in Ohio regulations, home educators have three choices for assessing their child. Parents can choose a nationally-normed, standardized test (such as the Iowa, California, Metropolitan, Stanford, etc.), a written narrative (portfolio) indicating that academic progress for the year is in accordance with the child's abilities (which is written by an Ohio certified teacher, holding a valid Ohio teaching certificate, excluding the non-tax certificate issued under Ohio Revised code 3301.071)), and anything acceptable to both you and the superintendent of schools in the school system where your child is registered.

The written narrative is probably the one option that generates the most questions about how to prepare, what to organize, and who can do it. Any teacher certified from the State of Ohio, holding a valid Ohio teaching certificate, excluding the non-tax certificate issued under Ohio Revised code 3301.071) may complete a written narrative for you. (Forms for this written narrative are available from your CHEO area representative, the CHEO office or by downloading here.)

The key to a good portfolio is organization. It is much easier to work on this all year than to have a panic session at the end of the year, trying to find all the paperwork you might need. In order to sign the waiver for the written narrative in good faith, an assessor must see evidence of, or talk through the coverage of the eight areas of study listed on the notification form.

A good place to begin your organization is to go back and pull your copy of the notification form. Notice the eight areas of study listed. Some areas, such as math and reading, will have much more time spent than on first aid, safety and fire prevention. Also, not every item listed under a subject will be covered each year, for instance, geography, history of the United States and Ohio and national, state and local government. At the minimum, one item of a subject like that would need to be covered.

The approach you take in your home schooling will dictate what you will have to show in each subject. For instance, if you are using the Konos or Weaver curriculum, you will have different examples (perhaps more pictures) than someone who is using a more traditional approach of A Beka or Bob Jones. It's usually a good idea to bring your lesson plan books or calendars, samples or work (several per month per subject), any pictures taken during the year, and field trip guides or large projects the children may have completed. Some mothers and children will spend hours creating categorized notebooks or scrapbooks of their year. Some mothers prefer to bring their curriculum and workbooks, while others pull out the samples to show. It is not important that the samples be of perfect work. As a parent, you are NOT on trial for your home schooling efforts, nor are you being graded.

During the assessment, the parent and assessor will go subject by subject and look over samples while discussing how that subject went during the year. Any awards or tests in that subject can be reviewed at that time. The assessor will determine whether a "full year's work", appropriate for the individual child and his ability, has been done. At the end of the session, the assessor will sign the written narrative form and give it to the parent. A copy of the form must be sent to the school district along with your subsequent notification.

Choose your assessor carefully. A home education-minded teacher will be familiar with the methods and differences in home education, and will be able to assist you with any questions you have about your child's education. Be certain that your assessor is an Ohio Certified Teacher, holding a valid Ohio teaching certificate (excluding the non-tax certificate issued under Ohio Revised code 3301.071)

Click here to download a .pdf file of the written narrative assessment form (you will need Acrobat Reader to open the file).

Send Completed Assessment Form - standardized test or written narrative - only when notifying for a subsequent year of home educating, by certified mail with a return receipt (send in mid-August).