Across the States
Beware of Portfolio Review
Recently, several Home School Legal Defense Association members have unintentionally given the Vermont Department of Education (VDE) the opportunity to critique their homeschooling programs. Vermont law requires parents to annually assess their children's progress and to submit the results with each year's
enrollment notice.*
Three evaluation options are allowed:
- A report prepared by a Vermont-licensed teacher,
- A report prepared by the parent or another party along with a portfolio of work samples demonstrating progress in each subject area, or
- The results of an approved standardized test.
Because the report and portfolio can be conveniently compiled by the parent, many families choose this option. However, the department itself reviews the portfolio, against its own subjective opinion, to determine whether or not progress has been made. Consequently, the VDE is more likely to request more information from the family, and in some cases will even call a hearing.
HSLDA recommends that, if at all possible, families use the licensed teacher or standardized test options, since they provide a more succinct and objective reflection of a child's abilities. Because these are objective measures, the VDE cannot argue with them.
— by Michael P. Donnelly
* See “A plethora of forms”
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