Stressing over your student’s first upcoming test? Here’s what to do.

Stressed that your third-grade student will not pass their test this year? Were the results of the practice test concern you? 

Perhaps your student already took the actual test and did not do well. Wish you could give them an extra year to mature and gain the academic skills needed to perform at grade level? Here’s what to do to see if this is an option for you.   

Historically, when a student was enrolled in public school and then left to home school, retention (holding back or repeating a grade) by the parent was not an option. The student was locked into the grade they were in when they left public school. The wording in the home school rules that a “six-year-old is assumed to be a kindergarten” was, and continues to be, interpreted within the context of the student never having been in public school previously.

The question to be answered by parents who have a struggling third grader who has or will be taking their first end-of-the-year test is, “How old was the student on September first when you notified ESD you would be home schooling?” While most six-year-olds turning seven enter public school as first graders, home schoolers are under a different standard. Once again, the rule states, “a six year old is assumed to be a kindergarten.”  

The rule further states “The first year is defined as when the child is seven on September 1, or earlier at the parent’s discretion.” Many parents choose to test their student who was  8 years old as of September first as ending 3^rd graders but they don’t necessarily have to. 

If you have a struggling student, I suggest you contact your ESD to confirm their record of the grade your student is in. I would approach your communication to them as wanting to know when he/she will be expected to take their end-of-the-year third grade test. Ask if the ESD’s records show what grade level your student is in. As I wrote previously, some home schoolers have been asked to turn in their results this year. It’s important that you know this in case a request comes your way!

When you contact your ESD, you’ll likely get one of three responses- 

• They don’t know as their record doesn’t indicate what grade your student is in. You can tell them, based on the rule, “assumed grade level of a six year old (at the time of notification) is kindergarten.” Let the ESD  know your student is ending 2^nd grade this year.  Ask them to note this on his file. Date and time stamp (send an email to yourself) this response from the ESD representative you spoke with.  Be sure to get their name.
• The ESD representative shows your student as ending 2^nd grade based on the rule. Thank them for clarifying. Date and time stamp as above. 
• They show your student as ending 3^rd grade. Perhaps that was a space you filled in on their form. Perhaps the ESD filled it in based on the age most public schoolers are when they enter school. I would argue ( politely- no need to be combative) that it’s immaterial how it came to be noted in his record- perhaps you made a mistake in filling out their form, perhaps you didn’t know the rule, but you know it now- whatever you want to say. Again, you’re simply calling to clarify your student’s records. As of September 1^st of 2023, he was 8 years of age. In keeping with the rule, this means your student started the school year as a second grader. His first test, then, would be expected to take place by August 15,^, 2025. 

The ESD will work with you on correcting the record. If you feel this helps make your case, you could point to your student’s maturity. You could suggest that their reading skills, while improving, still need work. You simply want to give your student a strong academic foundation and not push him beyond what he is ready for. Really, though, it comes down to what the rule says. 

If you have any questions about what’s written above, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thanks for reading!

Curt Bumcrot, MRE

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