testing
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/5/2006 7:44:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
The reason I'm asking is that
the unschooling approach
looks very relaxed (which imo
is a good thing!) that it almost
seems as if there is no form of
testing lurking in the futures of
those who practice this method
of learning<<<<<<<<<<
My unschooled boys are tested every year. If I had a choice they would NOT
be. We live in NC where every homeschooler, to be compliant with the law,
has to test every year and keep those test scores on hand at their homeschool.
The law does not state at what age to grade level they test or any
threshhold. So we use a computerized test that is very much like a game, we do it at
home and I let my boys choose what "grade" they want to test at. Seeing how
they have never been to school at all the "grade" levels mean nothing to them
and tend to choose a "grade" they like the sounds of, or their favorite
number etc. Actually when I think about it I have absolutely no idea what grade
they would be in if they were in school. Oh well. We test and I keep the
results on hand at our homeschool then I chuck them. No one looks at the
scores.
Anyway so in NC unschoolers are tested but I am not sure it is the kind of
testing you are talking about ;-)
Pam G
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected] writes:
The reason I'm asking is that
the unschooling approach
looks very relaxed (which imo
is a good thing!) that it almost
seems as if there is no form of
testing lurking in the futures of
those who practice this method
of learning<<<<<<<<<<
My unschooled boys are tested every year. If I had a choice they would NOT
be. We live in NC where every homeschooler, to be compliant with the law,
has to test every year and keep those test scores on hand at their homeschool.
The law does not state at what age to grade level they test or any
threshhold. So we use a computerized test that is very much like a game, we do it at
home and I let my boys choose what "grade" they want to test at. Seeing how
they have never been to school at all the "grade" levels mean nothing to them
and tend to choose a "grade" they like the sounds of, or their favorite
number etc. Actually when I think about it I have absolutely no idea what grade
they would be in if they were in school. Oh well. We test and I keep the
results on hand at our homeschool then I chuck them. No one looks at the
scores.
Anyway so in NC unschoolers are tested but I am not sure it is the kind of
testing you are talking about ;-)
Pam G
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kara Cassidy
Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13 11
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
Manisha Kher
What state are you in? Most states do not require
testing. Your state may have other methods of
evaluation.
Manisha
--- Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...> wrote:
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
testing. Your state may have other methods of
evaluation.
Manisha
--- Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...> wrote:
> Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling mymailto:[email protected]
> kids ages 13 11
> and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have
> ADHD and i am
> pretty sure the little one does to so trying to
> homeschool them with
> work books has been a night mare so this year i am
> trying unschooling
> and have put all the work books away my question is
> how do you go
> about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old
> has dyslexea and
> her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the
> tester we used last
> year said if she has not gotten better she would
> have to wright a
> letter to the school board this year but she has no
> interest in
> reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong
> but i thought
> unschooling was to let your child learn at there own
> pace .
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
>
>____________________________________________________________________________________
>
>
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
KARA CASSIDY
I am in Florida
----- Original Message -----
From: Manisha Kher<mailto:m_kher@...>
To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 4:33 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
What state are you in? Most states do not require
testing. Your state may have other methods of
evaluation.
Manisha
--- Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...<mailto:dachac3@...>> wrote:
> Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my
> kids ages 13 11
> and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have
> ADHD and i am
> pretty sure the little one does to so trying to
> homeschool them with
> work books has been a night mare so this year i am
> trying unschooling
> and have put all the work books away my question is
> how do you go
> about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old
> has dyslexea and
> her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the
> tester we used last
> year said if she has not gotten better she would
> have to wright a
> letter to the school board this year but she has no
> interest in
> reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong
> but i thought
> unschooling was to let your child learn at there own
> pace .
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
>
mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
>
>
>
__________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited<http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly Weyd
Yep, I'm confused about why you have to test. Is it law in your state?
Kelly
Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...> wrote:
Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13 11
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
---------------------------------
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly
Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...> wrote:
Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13 11
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
---------------------------------
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
KARA CASSIDY
I live in Florida and have been told it is the law to have them tested
----- Original Message -----
From: Kelly Weyd<mailto:kellmar98@...>
To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
Yep, I'm confused about why you have to test. Is it law in your state?
Kelly
Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...<mailto:dachac3@...>> wrote:
Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13 11
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
---------------------------------
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanne
Florida homeschoolers have the option of signing up with a 600
school (or non-public school). You are then required to follow their
rules. The one I use only requires that I send in attendance. Here
is the link:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/index.htm
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (8), Shawna (11) & Cimion (14)
Adopted into our hearts October 2003
************************************
Unschooling Voices ~ Add Your Voice
www.foreverparents.com/UnschoolingVoices.html
--- In [email protected], "KARA CASSIDY"
<dachac3@...> wrote:
s.com>
school (or non-public school). You are then required to follow their
rules. The one I use only requires that I send in attendance. Here
is the link:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/index.htm
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (8), Shawna (11) & Cimion (14)
Adopted into our hearts October 2003
************************************
Unschooling Voices ~ Add Your Voice
www.foreverparents.com/UnschoolingVoices.html
--- In [email protected], "KARA CASSIDY"
<dachac3@...> wrote:
>tested
> I live in Florida and have been told it is the law to have them
> ----- Original Message -----[email protected]<mailto:unschoolingbasics@yahoogroup
> From: Kelly Weyd<mailto:kellmar98@...>
> To:
s.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 5:00 PMstate?
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
>
>
> Yep, I'm confused about why you have to test. Is it law in your
> Kelly11
>
> Kara Cassidy <dachac3@...<mailto:dachac3@...>> wrote:
> Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13
> and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and iam
> pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool themwith
> work books has been a night mare so this year i am tryingunschooling
> and have put all the work books away my question is how do yougo
> about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexeaand
> her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we usedlast
> year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wrighta
> letter to the school board this year but she has no interest inBusiness.
> reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
> unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
>
> ---------------------------------
> Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
themockingbirdsings
-Hi there,
We homeschooled in Florida (Ft.Myers) for 5 years ( we now live in
Ohio )...you are not required to test .....what we did was sign up
with a 6oo umbrella school which is considered a private school.We
were originally registered with the school board as homeschooling
until we found out about the 600 option ,when I did I notified the
school board in writing that my children were now enrolled in a
private school and gave the address and that was that....super easy
and no hassle.We used active learning academy in Punta Gorda, I
think it was about $15.00 per month and you submit attendance online
monthly,so simple and hassle free giving you the oppurtunity to
legally unschool without the school board intruding.I beleive the
web address to be www.myala.com,not sure....It worked for us ,that
way we did not have to have a portfolio review or test.
Melissa-- In [email protected], "Joanne"
<billyandjoanne@...> wrote:
We homeschooled in Florida (Ft.Myers) for 5 years ( we now live in
Ohio )...you are not required to test .....what we did was sign up
with a 6oo umbrella school which is considered a private school.We
were originally registered with the school board as homeschooling
until we found out about the 600 option ,when I did I notified the
school board in writing that my children were now enrolled in a
private school and gave the address and that was that....super easy
and no hassle.We used active learning academy in Punta Gorda, I
think it was about $15.00 per month and you submit attendance online
monthly,so simple and hassle free giving you the oppurtunity to
legally unschool without the school board intruding.I beleive the
web address to be www.myala.com,not sure....It worked for us ,that
way we did not have to have a portfolio review or test.
Melissa-- In [email protected], "Joanne"
<billyandjoanne@...> wrote:
>their
> Florida homeschoolers have the option of signing up with a 600
> school (or non-public school). You are then required to follow
> rules. The one I use only requires that I send in attendance. Here[email protected]<mailto:unschoolingbasics@yahoogroup
> is the link:
> http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/index.htm
>
> ~ Joanne ~
> Mom to Jacqueline (8), Shawna (11) & Cimion (14)
> Adopted into our hearts October 2003
> ************************************
> Unschooling Voices ~ Add Your Voice
> www.foreverparents.com/UnschoolingVoices.html
>
>
>
>
> --- In [email protected], "KARA CASSIDY"
> <dachac3@> wrote:
> >
> > I live in Florida and have been told it is the law to have them
> tested
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Kelly Weyd<mailto:kellmar98@>
> > To:
>
> s.com>your
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 5:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
> >
> >
> > Yep, I'm confused about why you have to test. Is it law in
> state?13
> > Kelly
> >
> > Kara Cassidy <dachac3@<mailto:dachac3@>> wrote:
> > Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages
> 11them
> > and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i
> am
> > pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool
> withdyslexea
> > work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying
> unschooling
> > and have put all the work books away my question is how do you
> go
> > about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has
> andwright
> > her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used
> last
> > year said if she has not gotten better she would have to
> ain
> > letter to the school board this year but she has no interest
> > reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but ithought
> > unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small
> Business.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
Vickisue Gray
I live in Florida, too, and it's not the law.
If you are registered as homeschooling,
You can test and the FCAT is free and counts
(easy and cheap solution)
or you can have a registered teacher do an
evaluation. They are supposed to only look
for improvement during the year. If the child does not
show improvement, then the state will give you one year
to fix it.
Many people I know are using the private school loop hole.
As an unschooler listed as a private school student,
all the school requires is birth cert., immun., and attendence.
I have a link somewhere to a nice unschooling family that
is set up as a private school, in Hobe Sound, Fl.
She doesn't charge and does it to help unschoolers.
I'll look for it.
Vicki
----- Original Message ----
From: KARA CASSIDY <dachac3@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 6:23:41 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
I live in Florida and have been told it is the law to have them tested
If you are registered as homeschooling,
You can test and the FCAT is free and counts
(easy and cheap solution)
or you can have a registered teacher do an
evaluation. They are supposed to only look
for improvement during the year. If the child does not
show improvement, then the state will give you one year
to fix it.
Many people I know are using the private school loop hole.
As an unschooler listed as a private school student,
all the school requires is birth cert., immun., and attendence.
I have a link somewhere to a nice unschooling family that
is set up as a private school, in Hobe Sound, Fl.
She doesn't charge and does it to help unschoolers.
I'll look for it.
Vicki
----- Original Message ----
From: KARA CASSIDY <dachac3@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 6:23:41 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
I live in Florida and have been told it is the law to have them tested
----- Original Message -----
From: Kelly Weyd<mailto:kellmar98@yahoo. com>
To: unschoolingbasics@ yahoogroups. com<mailto:unschoolingbasics@ yahoogroups. com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] testing
Yep, I'm confused about why you have to test. Is it law in your state?
Kelly
Kara Cassidy <dachac3@msn. com<mailto:dachac3@msn. com>> wrote:
Hello my name is Kara I have been homeschooling my kids ages 13 11
and 2 for about 4 years now the two older ones have ADHD and i am
pretty sure the little one does to so trying to homeschool them with
work books has been a night mare so this year i am trying unschooling
and have put all the work books away my question is how do you go
about the end of the year testing ? my 11 year old has dyslexea and
her reading is about on a 1 st grade level the tester we used last
year said if she has not gotten better she would have to wright a
letter to the school board this year but she has no interest in
reading right now and please tell me if i am wrong but i thought
unschooling was to let your child learn at there own pace .
------------ --------- --------- ---
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kara Cassidy
I just wanted to thank everyone for there advice I think the 600
school is the way we are going to go. kara cassidy
school is the way we are going to go. kara cassidy
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 11/29/06, KARA CASSIDY <dachac3@...> wrote:
have to subject your children to annual testing in Florida. There are
several good unschooling friendly cover schools in Florida. We belong
to one that is just $25 a year per family (not per kid) and they only
require "attendance." Enroll them and then send a letter to the
schoolboard that they are now enrolled in a XYZ Private School.
Forget the evaluations. They are BUNK!
Also, read the law for Florida, don't accept what someone told you.
Know what your rights are. Being free of the school system completely
(which using a cover school will do for you) will make your life so
much easier!
Michelle
> I am in FloridaFIND A COVER SCHOOL! Sorry to yell, but there is NO reason that you
have to subject your children to annual testing in Florida. There are
several good unschooling friendly cover schools in Florida. We belong
to one that is just $25 a year per family (not per kid) and they only
require "attendance." Enroll them and then send a letter to the
schoolboard that they are now enrolled in a XYZ Private School.
Forget the evaluations. They are BUNK!
Also, read the law for Florida, don't accept what someone told you.
Know what your rights are. Being free of the school system completely
(which using a cover school will do for you) will make your life so
much easier!
Michelle
Kara Cassidy
I have 2 kids they both have ADHD and are dyslixic my oldest is 14 he
is reading some what and my 12 year old will not even try well i had
them tested last year and they did bad in the reading part well
testing is comeing up again and the kids are nerves becouse they said
if they did not inprove by this year they were going to tell the state
they are not learning and make me put them in school and that is just
not happening i am in fla. any help would be great i hate haveing them
tested but its the law and my kids get sickk just thinking about going
for the testing
is reading some what and my 12 year old will not even try well i had
them tested last year and they did bad in the reading part well
testing is comeing up again and the kids are nerves becouse they said
if they did not inprove by this year they were going to tell the state
they are not learning and make me put them in school and that is just
not happening i am in fla. any help would be great i hate haveing them
tested but its the law and my kids get sickk just thinking about going
for the testing
Christy Mahoney
Karen, please look at your state laws more carefully. There are
several options in Florida, and testing is NOT required. It is one
of many options. I know some folks here have information about
registering with an umbrella school in Florida. Also, you could
have a certified teacher do an evaluation - there are unschooling-
friendly ones to be found if you search.
-Christy M.
Also, who is "they" that said you might need to put them in school?
--- In [email protected], "Kara Cassidy"
<dachac3@...> wrote:
several options in Florida, and testing is NOT required. It is one
of many options. I know some folks here have information about
registering with an umbrella school in Florida. Also, you could
have a certified teacher do an evaluation - there are unschooling-
friendly ones to be found if you search.
-Christy M.
Also, who is "they" that said you might need to put them in school?
--- In [email protected], "Kara Cassidy"
<dachac3@...> wrote:
>he
> I have 2 kids they both have ADHD and are dyslixic my oldest is 14
> is reading some what and my 12 year old will not even try well ihad
> them tested last year and they did bad in the reading part wellsaid
> testing is comeing up again and the kids are nerves becouse they
> if they did not inprove by this year they were going to tell thestate
> they are not learning and make me put them in school and that isjust
> not happening i am in fla. any help would be great i hate haveingthem
> tested but its the law and my kids get sickk just thinking aboutgoing
> for the testing
>
Deb Lewis
If your kids don't want to test then don't. Join a Florida unschooling
group, read the law as it pertains to homeschooling and choose one of the
other options.
There's an overview of Florida homeschool laws here:
http://www.nhen.org/leginfo/detail.asp?StateCode=Florida
There's an unschooling email list here, maybe your not in Orlando but
someone there can probably better explain the options you have in Florida.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-in-Orlando/
And you might read here and follow links to other pages for more information
about reading:
http://sandradodd.com/reading
And more about reading here:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/academics/reading/readingproblem.html
And a good starting point for more information about unschooling, here:
http://sandradodd.com/unschooling
And here:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Deb Lewis
group, read the law as it pertains to homeschooling and choose one of the
other options.
There's an overview of Florida homeschool laws here:
http://www.nhen.org/leginfo/detail.asp?StateCode=Florida
There's an unschooling email list here, maybe your not in Orlando but
someone there can probably better explain the options you have in Florida.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-in-Orlando/
And you might read here and follow links to other pages for more information
about reading:
http://sandradodd.com/reading
And more about reading here:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/academics/reading/readingproblem.html
And a good starting point for more information about unschooling, here:
http://sandradodd.com/unschooling
And here:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Deb Lewis
Ren Allen
~~any help would be great i hate haveing them
tested but its the law~~
No it isn't, not in Florida anyway.
I lived there for eight years and not one of my child has ever taken
any kind of test. My oldest is 17 and has never taken a test.
So......please learn state law and your many options. In Florida, you
can choose a portfolio review that happens once per year instead of a
test. The evaluator we used was very unschool friendly and accepting
of our eclectic methods and lack of paperwork.
Rather than a portfolio though, you can choose to be with an umbrella
school and not worry about any reporting to officials. That's an
option many unschoolers use in Florida.
As to the reading issues......do you read joyfully? Do you enjoy
reading with and to your children? Is the written word just one more
thing you all explore in your home? If it is, then reading will
happen naturally, when a child finds good reasons to use that skill.
If reading is a stumbling block for the adults in the home, then that
might cause fear/anxiety to get in the way of natural learning.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
tested but its the law~~
No it isn't, not in Florida anyway.
I lived there for eight years and not one of my child has ever taken
any kind of test. My oldest is 17 and has never taken a test.
So......please learn state law and your many options. In Florida, you
can choose a portfolio review that happens once per year instead of a
test. The evaluator we used was very unschool friendly and accepting
of our eclectic methods and lack of paperwork.
Rather than a portfolio though, you can choose to be with an umbrella
school and not worry about any reporting to officials. That's an
option many unschoolers use in Florida.
As to the reading issues......do you read joyfully? Do you enjoy
reading with and to your children? Is the written word just one more
thing you all explore in your home? If it is, then reading will
happen naturally, when a child finds good reasons to use that skill.
If reading is a stumbling block for the adults in the home, then that
might cause fear/anxiety to get in the way of natural learning.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Kara Cassidy
Thank you to every one who has helped me does any one have a 600
school they can recomend?
school they can recomend?
Unschooling Mama
There is a great Florida Unschooling yahoo group... I know they would be
able to help! :)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLUnschooling
-Laura
Joyfully raising 3 kids
Kara Cassidy wrote:
able to help! :)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLUnschooling
-Laura
Joyfully raising 3 kids
Kara Cassidy wrote:
>
> Thank you to every one who has helped me does any one have a 600
> school they can recommend?
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