Testing Misinformation Corrected
Two items to read about below: the standardized testing requirement and the testing deadline.
Standardized Testing Requirement
Oregon leaders initially appealed to the US Department of Education to waive all standardized testing. While the initial appeal was denied, a compromise was reached. Oregon’s follow up request that the number of areas/tests be reduced due to the pandemic was approved. You can read about it here.
So, what impact does this decision have to do with the home schooling testing requirement?
Nothing!
And that’s good!
Home schoolers work under a separate set of statutes and rules. Over the last couple of decades, there have been public appeals and bills launched in the legislature with the intention of treating home schoolers the same as public schoolers. This notion of “fairness” was the foundation that led to being required to test only at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Previously we were required to test every year beginning with 1st grade.
So why is testing important? It provides a skilled-based assessment, the data we need to be able to say, “We’re doing well enough to be left alone.” Additionally, testing in the “off years,” i.e. 4, 6, 7, etc. provides you with a national reference point to evaluate the effectiveness of your curriculum. “Ignorance is not bliss” when it comes to knowing how our children are doing.
In this era of “command and control,” testing provides a barrier or at least slows down excessive government involvement in our home schooling activities.
Testing Deadline to Be Extended
The State Board of Education will be meeting in May. I am told they will extend the testing deadline once again, likely to October 31, the same as last year. Please go to our testing page for remote testing opportunities.
