05 Apr To Test or Not to Test: Navigating Standardized Testing for Homeschoolers

Here I am, poking the bear and writing about the highly debated topic of standardized testing for homeschoolers. I’d like to start with a reminder that this post is just my opinion and you are free to use all, none, or some of these points when making your own decisions regarding testing. We can still be friends, and I’m glad we have the freedom to choose.

Standardized Testing:  You Are Here

One of the first things I do when I visit an outlet mall, theme park, zoo, etc., is find the map.  I look for those giant kiosks that have the emblem labeled “YOU ARE HERE.”  Why?  Because I have to know exactly where I am on the map in order to determine how to get where I want to go.  

The same is true for standardized testing.  It’s like a map of each child’s education that offers periodic “YOU ARE HERE” checkpoints to show where each child is on his journey of learning.  It measures a standard path of skills and milestones across same-age peers and reveals individual strengths and weaknesses.  You can use this information to better inform your future instruction.  Test results show your third grader has mastered fractions at grade level but needs additional support on multiplication?  No problem. Hit the highlights of that upcoming fraction unit and add some extra practice for multiplication.  Standardized testing can help us be more informed and intentional with our instruction. 

Do Tennessee Homeschoolers Have to Take Standardized Tests?

Not necessarily.  Homeschoolers have several options for how to legally register with the state of Tennessee. Some options require standardized testing while others do not.  Independent homeschoolers in Tennessee must follow the requirements posted here on the state website.  In grades 5, 7, and 9, these students must take the same state-board-approved standardized tests as public school students. 

If you would like to avoid the requirements of state standardized testing, registering with a church-related umbrella school may be the right option for you.  Middle Tennessee Home Educators Association (MTHEA) has posted a great list of umbrella schools here. Each umbrella school can set its own requirements, and many opt not to mandate standardized testing, allowing parents to make that decision.

Why and How I Test My Homeschooled Kids

Full disclosure: I was a public school teacher before I became a full-time homeschool mom.  I am no stranger to testing, and I think (when the results are used correctly) testing serves a good purpose.  But we’ve lost our way a bit when it comes to how these results are used. Testing, in and of itself, works to target instruction to the needs of the child.  It should never be used to retain low performers or compare students/schools/districts with each other.  Education is an individual journey and testing works to measure the progress and next steps.  

While my children are not required by our umbrella school to take any form of standardized testing, we choose to administer an end-of-year test each spring at our house.  I use the SAT10 (Stanford Achievement Test) and I administer the tests myself (online).  My kids test for 2 hours a day for 2 days, and the results are emailed to me directly 24 hours later. If you are interested in learning more about where to register for these tests, I personally recommend Family Learning Organization’s website here.

I pull out all the old tricks we always did in public schools to make it fun and encouraging.  “Pun-y” notes on the table, special treats they don’t normally get – anything to make it fun.  And when it’s all over and the results are in, we review them together, celebrate the wins, and create a plan to fill any gaps we may have missed.  That’s it.  No tears.  No summer school.  Just an honest discussion about where we are and where we want to go.  That’s what testing is for.