The Annual Evaluation

The law requires an annual education evaluation which the parent or guardian must file with his/her district school superintendent's office. Our Florida home education law provides five evaluation options:

1. An individual evaluation by a Florida certified teacher of your choice
2. Any nationally-normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher of your choice
3. A state student assessment test
4. A psychological evaluation
5. Any other method that is mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent

Standardized Testing

For those who choose option number 2, PEC offers group testing using the CTBS, TerraNova edition for grades 1-12. Details and registration information may be found below.

Teacher Evaluations

For those who choose option 1, you must select a Florida-certified teacher to review the portfolio and have a discussion with your child. When selecting a teacher, make sure you clearly understand how the evaluation will be conducted and what criterion will be applied.

In this option, the portfolio plays a most significant role. Clearly understand what the evaluator will look for in the portfolio. The discussion with the child can vary widely from one evaluator to another. The evaluator should be looking for evidence of your child's "demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability." This simply means that the child's progress should be equal to his ability.

This type of evaluation can be used for a grade level, and is especially advantageous for a child who may be expericing learning disabilities, or is delayed in reading skills or math skills. This method may also be recommended for younger children who may feel pressured from a standardized test given in a classroom-type setting. The best evaluator for a homeschooler is one who is a homeschooler, or is at least familiar with the philosophy of homeschooling.... excerpted from "Complying with the Home Education Program," FPEA Guide to Homeschooling in Florida, September 1999.

PEC does not specifically endorse any evaluator. We offer an evaluator's workshop regarding principles and guidelines. We maintain a list of state certified teachers who are willing to do evaluations for the homeschooling community. This list is provided as a service to PEC members. You are encouraged to talk with evaluators and find the one who is right for your family. You will find a list of evaluators below.

Terra Nova Edition, CTBS
2008 Spring Testing

Please keep this information for further reference: note changes!

Registration Directions

Two testing packages are offered, giving you a choice in the type, length, and cost of testing. Either package will satisfy the state requirements for annual evaluation. Let's go step by step over the process of registering.

STEP ONE: Decide which package fits your child and your needs.

STEP TWO: Decide the days and location that fit into your schedule. Package A is the first two days of each set; Package B includes all three days. You may mix and match where you want to attend. Please clearly make note of it on your registration form.

STEP THREE:

1. Complete the registration form
2. Enclose payment made payable to: Jean Hochstettler
3. Mail to: 2605 Iroquois Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Registration forms and payment must be postmarked by April 12. A $10 discount per child may be used for all registrations before March 15, 2008.

Church Guidelines

Our agreement with these churches is for limited facilities. Thank you for abiding by the following guidelines:

• Call (561-876-5338) or email (billhoch@juno.com) Jeannie, not the churches, with questions.
• Church phones are not for our use.
• During testing, parents need to leave the testing site.
• The church playground equipment is not part of our agreement.

Important Information

All students in grades 1-3 will begin their testing experience with a pretest. This helps every child adjust to the teacher, minimizes interruptions, and creates a shorter first day. Pretesting familiarizes the student with how to mark his answers and follow the teacher's instructions, but gives no indication of actual test content. Parents may remain with their students during pretesting (9:00–9:30 am approximately), so please arrange babysitting for other siblings. There are no available child-care facilities and siblings are not permitted in the testing room. If the student is not able to complete testing, $20 of the fee is non-refundable.

Home Education Evaluation Form: These forms are mailed to you by the School Board. Please send it with your child to testing. If you do not receive one, ask the teacher in charge of the testing room for a blank form. I will file these forms with the School District in June, completing your annual evaluation requirement. If test results indicate "no progress," I will call you immediately before filing the form. PLEASE NOTE: I never submit test scores. To satisfy the Florida state law, Palm Beach County provides a Home Education Evaluation Form, which is what I submit.

Test Results: Approximately four weeks after all testing sessions are completed, you will receive a letter stating progress has/has not been made and a copy of the test scores. Please keep these documents for your files.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Pencils are provided for testing. Only a #2 lead can be used.
2. Bring fruit or juice for break each day. NO CANDY OR SODA.
3. BRING A BOOK TO READ—THIS IS A REQUIREMENT!
4. BRING HOME EDUCATION EVALUATION FORMS TO TESTING.
5. Baseball caps and beeping watches will be removed and held until the end of testing.
6. NO CALCULATORS may be used.
7. PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF OR WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.
8. Any child posing a disturbance or discipline problem at any time during testing will be removed from the room. Parents will be notified and asked to pick up the child immediately. There will be no refund.

QUESTIONS? Call Jeannie Hochstettler at 561-876-5338 or 561-683-9079 and leave a message or for faster reply, e-mail billhoch@juno.com

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Testing and Evaluation

by Jeannie Hochstettler

Do I have to have my child tested?

No, but you must have an annual evaluation as mandated by the state of Florida and testing is one method by which to complete this requirement. Another method used by many homeschooling families is a teacher evaluation. As the parent, you get to choose which method you feel is the most useful for you and most suitable for your child.

So what is the difference between testing and a teacher evaluation?

Remember, either one satisfies the state requirement, so you can make a good choice for your family. Testing is a diagnostic tool showing you the subject areas in which the child excels or may need remedial help. It is a structured, classroom experience that lasts either two or three mornings depending on how many subject areas you want tested.

A teacher evaluation involves a state certified teacher reviewing your portfolio and interviewing your child. It should last about an hour and can be done in your home or another agreed-upon location. A parent has the freedom to choose the teacher, so be sure to choose someone you think will understand your method of homeschooling and will give you the kind of feedback you want and need for your program.

What if my child is in kindergarten?

Kindergarten really isn't the key word in this. The key idea is your child's birthday! If you celebrated his 6th birthday before February 1, then you need to have a letter of intent to home school on file with the superintendent of schools and you will need to complete the annual evaluation. Because we do not test children that young, we suggest you opt for a teacher to review your portfolio!

What if we haven't completed a full year of homeschooling?

The law allows you to wait a full year before completing the annual evaluation. However, we suggest that regardless of when you began your homeschooling program, you begin your annual evaluations within the normal calendar of the school year. That means, go ahead and either test or have a teacher evaluate your child in April or May. Both testing and teacher evaluations can compensate for an incomplete school year. If you wait, there's a good chance testing will not be available at a reasonable cost and teachers may be hard to engage. It also places your program in a more normal schedule with conferences, parent meetings, etc.

What should I do to prepare my kids for testing?

RELAX! Probably the most critical thing you can do is adjust your attitude to understanding that this "requirement" of the state is really cool! Embrace it, honestly!

But, if you want a "step by step" of what to do, let's look at it this way:

1. Start several weeks ahead by setting a routine for bedtime, exercise, nutrition.
2. Try to create a relaxed atmosphere (less stress!) in your home.
3. Depending on the age of your child, inform him several days ahead of the change in routine for testing (or evaluation).
4. Plan ahead! Know the route to the testing location, have nutritious snacks ready for each day, try to minimize distractions.
5. Play together!

Do not say that if the child does not perform well, he will fail, etc.

Don't cram: If you didn't get as far as you wanted in his learning, understand that cramming isn't really learning. Most children will not remember all you try to cram and will only get confused.

Should you get those tests that familiarize kids with the forms of testing?

It's up to you. The younger children have the option of taking a pre-test and the older children catch on very quickly. We parents generally worry more than we should.

What do I do with the test results?

File them with your other important papers for each child. You never know when you're going to need them again.

But do this only after you study them. These results could very easily be the jumpstart of your program for the next year. Of course, there's always the chance that the results are fairly meaningless. Either you knew everything already or your child did not have a "normal" day, skewing his performance. Ask yourself these questions:

• See where your child is strong. Are you surprised?
• How about the weaknesses—did you already know those?
• Am I meeting my goals?
• Did the curriculum I used fit our needs?
• Was it a challenging year?
• Was it a balanced year?
• Are there blind spots that need to be addressed?

What happens if the testing or evaluation shows that my child did not make progress?

The law allows your child to be re-tested or evaluated if you feel the first results were invalid. If you agree that your child has not made progress, the Home Education Evaluation Form will be filed with the School Board stating "no progress." The Home Education office will respond with a letter saying that your child is on probation for one year. That means that you have another year to remediate. It would be similar to holding your child back a year in the traditional school system. There's nothing wrong with this. In fact, many parents choose to slow down to make sure their children are truly learning and not just memorizing. If your child is put on probation, then the following year he must show progress to remain in the home education system.

Evaluators

Kim Bouchillon: Certified K-6; has a master's degree in reading education; taught elementary school in Palm Beach County for 10 years; prefers to evaluate K-6 only. Homeschools her four children.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review parent's up-to-date log, child's portfolio, and curriculum used.
COST: $40 1st, $35 each additional sibling
PLACE: flexible
TIME TO CALL: leave a message any time
CONTACT: 964-0586 or e-mail at kimbouchillon@aol.com

Michelle Brill: Taught in PBC system 10 years, homeschooled 7 years.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child, review of portfolio.
COST: $40 1st, additional discount for siblings
PLACE: flexible
TIME TO CALL: Anytime
CONTACT: 582-3211 or e-mail at thebrills@bellsouth.net

Ruthie Collier: Certified teacher since 1987, taught public school for 8 years, homeschooled since 1996.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review parent's log, child's portfolio, and curriculum used.
COST: $40 1st, $35 each additional sibling
PLACE: flexible
TIME TO CALL: leave a message any time
CONTACT: 966-1564

Linda Cooper: Certified in elementary 1-6, mental handicaps K-12, ESOL endorsement K-12; taught special education for six years with the PBC School Board, prefers to evaluate K-7.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review educational log, child's portfolio, and curriculum/material used.
COST: $40 1st, $35 each additional sibling
PLACE: prefer my home but can be flexible
TIME TO CALL: can leave a message up until 10:00 PM
CONTACT: 588-0087 or e-mail at cooper33405@yahoo.com

Jan Gryskiewicz: Certified in elementary 1-6, science 6-9, taught middle school science for 4 years at a Christian school and homeschooled since 1997.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review child's portfolio, parent's current log, and curriculum/material use.
COST: $40 1st, $35 each additional sibling
PLACE: flexible
TIME TO CALL: leave a message anytime
CONTACT: 795-0097 or email at TheGfamily6@aol.com

Carol King: Certified K-12, taught in public schools for 10 years and Pre-K at a private Christian preschool 3 years; has homeschooled her three boys (ages 11, 6, 4) 8 years.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Consultation with parent and child, overview of accomplishments, review samples of work and curriculum used.
COST: $40 1st, $35 each additional sibling
PLACE: flexible
TIME TO CALL: leave a message anytime
CONTACT: 784-0090 or e-mail at JCFirstLove@aol.com

Diane Logsdon: Taught in public school system for 8 years; M.E.D. in elementary; M.A.E. pre-primary Montessori. Prefer to evaluate elementary but available for all grade levels.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child, review of portfolio and current log.
COST: $40 1st, $35 additional siblings
PLACE: Your home or local library; flexible
TIME TO CALL: Anytime before 9:00 PM
CONTACT: 622-2125 or e-mail kdlogsdon@bellsouth.net

Susan McBrayer: Taught K-12 and is certified in math, physical education, and psychology. Homeschools her eighth, fifth, and second graders.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview parent to find out what parent's concerns and expectations are, assess strengths and weaknesses, review portfolio and daily log.
COST: $40 1st, $35 2nd, $30 each additional sibling
PLACE: My home preferred but flexible; $5 discount per child if at my home (Wellington area)
TIME TO CALL: 1:00 PM-9:00 PM
CONTACT: 798-5775

Stephanie McLaughlin: Certified K-3; taught 12 years at a private Christian school; prefers to evaluate K-8 only; homeschools her two children; test administrator for the IOWA and Stanford tests.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review lesson plans or logged activities taught, child's portfolio, and curriculum used.
COST: $40 1st, discount for each additional sibling
PLACE: Flexible
TIME TO CALL: After 3:00 PM any day
CONTACT: 792-1741 or e-mail at timmclaughin@bellsouth.net

Karen Ries: Taught in PBC Schools 13 years. Homeschool mom K-8, two children, Masters in Education, certified K-12, prefers to evaluate K-6.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Looking for individual progress through interviewing parent & child. Will review portfolio, curriculum used, and parents' up-to-date log.
COST: $40 1st, each additional at family discount
PLACE: South-central, flexible
TIME TO CALL: M-F, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
CONTACT: 585-1170 (please leave a message)

Sharon Russell: Taught in secondary education for 9 years, homeschooling mother of three for the past 19 years, and currently an advisor for Home Link classes.
FORM OF EVALUATION: Interview with parent and child; review child's portfolio, curriculum used, and parent's up-to-date log.
COST: For PEC members—$40 1st, $35 2nd
PLACE: My home (central suburban West Palm Beach)
TIME TO CALL: After 1:00 PM
CONTACT: 686-2545