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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/8/2010 2:55:01 PM Home School Legal Defense Association HSLDA's Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner Newsletter--April 2010 |
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---------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner Newsletter April 2010--Creating a Homeschooling Portfolio ------------------------------------------------------ Creating a Homeschooling Portfolio: A Great Alternative Assessment Option By Faith Berens, M.Ed. HSLDA Special Needs Coordinator Ah! It's that time of year again...spring is in the air and with it, many of us are turning our thoughts toward end-of-the-year assessments, turning in progress reports, or submitting standardized testing to the state. While requirements for documentation of progress vary from state to state, some states accept portfolios as an alternative means of assessment. (To find out which states allow the portfolio assessment method, please look on your statewide homeschool support group's website or visit HSLDA's state laws webpage http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8014). In this e-newsletter, I will discuss what a student portfolio is, how to create one for your child, and the benefits of using portfolios as an alternative assessment option. The portfolio is meant to show progress over time by displaying or highlighting student work samples during the course of the school year. It is a meaningful way to help us evaluate how we are doing. The word "evaluate" means to determine the worth or to find the value after study. Portfolio assessment can be helpful in evaluating our child's progress and in diagnosing areas of need for further development. Thus, they can also help us to plan for further instruction with our students. A student portfolio is usually made by filling a three-ring binder with work samples, projects, and pictures of the student's homeschool studies and experiences. The notebook can be divided into subject areas and arranged chronologically. It is a good idea to have the child take part in selecting work samples, narrative writings, tests, and pictures to include in the portfolio. Please note it is not necessary to include every piece of writing, workbook page or exercise the child has completed. Here is a list of some of the types of work and documentation you may choose to include in a portfolio: > Independent reading log or literature list with brief notes about the genre and length of book. > Written work or writing samples (to include various genres of writing). > Outlines, graphic organizers, rough drafts and final papers (to show writing process). > Unit tests or curriculum-based tests. > Copies of scores and reports on standardized tests. > Special awards or certificates from participating in special programs such as spelling bees, competitions, Book-It program or other reading incentive program, etc. > Brochures from places visited for field trips. > Samples of journal entries. > Pictures of social gatherings and experiences, such as a religious youth group, sports team, co-op group. > Pictures of science experiments or history projects. > Lapbooks. > Pictures of the home learning environment. > Tapes or CDs of reading/fluency samples. > Audio recordings of music recital or practice of instrument or singing. > Lists of curricula and materials. > Goals and objectives of unit studies or subject areas. Portfolios are invaluable as an alternative way of evaluating student progress particularly for children with special needs because depending on the severity of the child's needs, a standardized test or traditional assessment may not be a true reflection of what the child is capable of doing and what he or she has accomplished over the course of the year. They are also a purposeful tool to show progress in the development of skills over the course of a quarter, term, or year. A portfolio truly gives us a broader and richer picture of the student's efforts, accomplishments, unique giftings, developmental levels across various areas, and strengths and weaknesses. The portfolio shows real knowledge of the student that goes beyond what a standardized test can show. While the information may not be quantifiable like standardized test scores, the information is individualized and is a more meaningful reflection of the child's growth, needs and abilities. Portfolios are also beneficial because they are a way to demonstrate to others, such as skeptical family members, curious friends, and sometimes critics that providing the one-on-one teaching in the home environment and tailoring a program of instruction designed specifically for the child has indeed proven valuable and worthy of the sacrifice and time put forth. In my state of Virginia, I have the option of turning in either standardized test results or submitting a portfolio to be reviewed by an evaluator or educational consultant, who then in turn writes an evaluation letter stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. In Virginia, the consultant or evaluator can either be a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child's academic progress. It is important for families to check their state's home school regulations and requirements. Even if you are not required to maintain a portfolio or substituting a portfolio assessment for standardized testing is not an option in your state, you may still want to consider the benefits, as portfolios are a valuable, authentic assessment tool. It is a fantastic way to see the progress made in your homeschool program and it will probably end up being one of your child's most treasured possessions! Helpful Books: Homeschooler's Guide to Portfolios and Transcripts by Loretta Heuer http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8015 Evaluating for Excellence: A Handbook for Evaluating Student Progress by Teresa M. Moon http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8016 Online Articles: "How to Create a Homeschool Portfolio" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8017 "Homeschool Portfolio Evaluation" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8018 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> For as little as 33 cents a day... There's not much you can get for 33 cents a day. 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