Testing without a Test: Homeschool Edition

C’mon, it’s homeschool. What’s with test after test after test?  Tests cause anxiety, doubt, and in some cases a belly ache.  There is a growing movement in the homeschool community towards testing without a test. In this blog post, I’ll will explore the benefits of alternative assessment methods and provide practical tips on how to effectively evaluate GLL’s learning progress without relying on traditional tests.

Why Testing without a Test?

Traditional tests have long been the go-to method for evaluating student performance. However, they often fail to capture the full range of a student's abilities and can lead to a narrow focus on memorization rather than true understanding. Testing without a test allows for a more holistic approach to assessment, where students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a variety of ways.

Alternative Assessment Methods

1. Discussion: Sometimes the easiest way to ensure Our Guy knows the subject matter is to just talk about it. Ask him what his favorite part of the day or week was. Why was it a favorite? What did he learn most of all?
2. Portfolios: For 3^rd grade, I saved all GLL’s work in a box. For 4^th grade, GLL will create a portfolio of his work throughout the year. This can include essays, projects, artwork, and any other assignments that showcase his learning progress. Which of course leads back to discussion. Ask him how his portfolio is going. What is he putting in the folder? What is his most interesting assignment?
3. Presentations: Encourage GLL to give presentations on topics he has learned. This not only tests his knowledge but also helps improve their public speaking skills.
4. Experiments and Demonstrations: For subjects like science, GLL will conduct labs show his understanding of key concepts.
5. Self-assessment: Teach Our Guy how to he sees his own work. This helps his develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

What tests will GLL have to have?

The state requires an annual assessment to continue homeschooling.  The first week of 4^th grade will see GLL sitting for the Iowa Assessment E for beginning 4^th graders. The first week of May will see him sitting for the test for exiting 4^thgraders.   The other testing GLL can’t get away from is the weekly spelling test. He will have a spelling every week up to about 7^th grade no matter where he is going to school