Homeschooling Certification Assessment and Evaluation Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Several U.S. states require homeschooled students to submit results from an annual standardized test or a professional evaluation. This requirement is intended primarily to:
- Rank homeschoolers against public schools
- Demonstrate adequate academic progress (Correct answer)
- Replace the parent's curriculum
- Set college admission scores
Correct answer: Demonstrate adequate academic progress
Such requirements exist to show the child is making satisfactory academic progress.
Question 2: A portfolio evaluation for a homeschooler in a review-required state is typically conducted by:
- The child's peers
- A certified teacher or approved evaluator (Correct answer)
- The state governor's office
- A standardized test company only
Correct answer: A certified teacher or approved evaluator
A qualified/certified evaluator commonly reviews the portfolio to confirm progress.
Question 3: Which practice best supports reliable assessment of a young or test-anxious homeschooler?
- Using only a single high-stakes exam
- Combining multiple assessment methods over time (Correct answer)
- Grading only from memory
- Avoiding all feedback
Correct answer: Combining multiple assessment methods over time
Using varied methods over time gives a more reliable, complete picture of ability.
Question 4: In assessment terminology, 'validity' refers to whether a test:
- Produces the same result each time
- Actually measures what it claims to measure (Correct answer)
- Is easy to administer at home
- Compares students to peers
Correct answer: Actually measures what it claims to measure
Validity means the assessment truly measures the intended skill or knowledge.
Question 5: A parent gives the same practice test twice a week apart and gets nearly identical scores. This demonstrates the test's:
- Validity
- Reliability (Correct answer)
- Difficulty
- Bias
Correct answer: Reliability
Consistent results across administrations demonstrate reliability.
Question 6: A criterion-referenced assessment determines whether a homeschooler has:
- Scored higher than most peers
- Mastered specific predetermined learning objectives (Correct answer)
- Improved since last year
- Guessed correctly by chance
Correct answer: Mastered specific predetermined learning objectives
Criterion-referenced tests measure mastery against fixed standards, not peers.
Question 7: What is a key advantage of keeping a learning log or journal as an evaluation tool?
- It ranks the child nationally
- It documents daily progress and informs future instruction (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for any curriculum
- It guarantees a passing grade
Correct answer: It documents daily progress and informs future instruction
A learning log records ongoing progress and helps guide upcoming lessons.
Homeschooling Certification Assessment and Evaluation Methods 3
Several U.S. states require homeschooled students to submit results from an annual standardized test or a professional evaluation.
This requirement is intended primarily to: