Home Schoolers

[fsuwonder]

Hello! My name is Megan and I'm a state certified teacher at Compass Rose Academy in Sandestin. I've been approached by several parents of homeschoolers wondering about end of the year evaluations and sign offs.

The evaluation takes about 20 minutes as I look through work samples and/or books completed throughout the year. If your child has progressed at an acceptable rate (according to the sunshine state standards) and is ready to enter the next grade, I will sign the mandatory document provided by the county. I charge a 25$ rate per child. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at mag03n@my.fsu.edu or call my cell at (850)368-7734.

Thanks,
Megan Gontarek

 

[Bob]

20 minutes and 25 dollars? praise the lord!

 

[scooterbug44]

How is it that the FCAT is dictating the public school curriculum, schedule, and funding and takes several days, yet a year's worth of homeschooling can be assessed by a 20 minute review?

 

[fsuwonder]

Thats a great question, Scooterbug! It's all about organization and having the proper knowledge and materials available at the time of evaluation.

When I see a child who has been homeschooled, I expect to see a portfolio of the year's work to assess beginning point to ending. Several different concepts can be assessed at once depending on the grade of the child. I'm looking for an acceptable rate of progress, and that the child is reaching the appropriate benchmarks. So, If I see a piece of writing in the beginning of the portfolio with issues regarding grammar, spelling, and structure, I expect to see examples throughout the portfolio of continuous improvement in these areas. Depending on the grade, the time could vary. I've only done a few of these outside of my own students, so there may be evaluations that take longer. I would imagine a Kindergarten evaluation would take less time than a 4th or 5th grade.

I will say it takes organization on the parents part to make sure the portfolio is in correct sequential order, but it is easy to see a child that is on track vs. one that is struggling.

In our school, we give these evaluations 3 times a year to every child so I'm pretty fluent with the benchmarks in most grades.

I hope I answered your question. Again, I'm offering my services because I've had several parents tell me it has been a hassle trying to find someone to do the evaluation and I just wanted to make myself available.

 

[fsuwonder]

And I am not a fan of FCAT, I think it has done a serious disservice to our schools. "Teaching to the test" has tainted the learning environment and has everyone walking on eggshells. (In my opinion of course)

 

[scooterbug44]

IMO an individual assessment where you actually see work/interact with the child is a far better judge than a standardized test (which were a joke when I was in school, so I am constantly amazed at how much weight they are given).