All You Need to Know about Standardized Testing for Homeschool

For public school kids, standardized testing is a fact of life. In many states, homeschool students need to take these exams, too. It’s a good idea to know your state’s homeschool testing requirements so that you can properly prepare your students.

1. Know Your State’s Rules

More than 20 states include testing guidelines in their homeschooling regulations. They include:

The rules vary significantly from one state to another. For example, all homeschool students in Minnesota have to take annual exams. Oregon students test only in certain grades. For Vermont homeschoolers, standardized tests are just one of the options for submitting an annual student evaluation.
Florida families may be exempt from testing if they enroll with an umbrella school.

Homeschooling rules can change at any time. Even if your state isn’t included on this list, it’s always a good idea to check with your state’s board of education to make sure that you’re up to date on all current regulations.

2. Consider the Benefits of Testing

You may want to think about having your kids complete an assessment each year even if your state doesn’t require it. Standardizing testing can provide valuable information about how your students are performing. It will highlight their strengths and areas where they could use a little more help. Having your kids take tests at the end of each school year can help you plan their studies for the year to come.

Plus, standardizing testing in the early years can ease your children into the idea of taking big exams. Down the road, when it’s time for the PSAT, the SAT, or the ACT, they may feel like old pros.

3. Prepare Your Students

Getting ready for standardized testing may feel overwhelming at first, but preparation throughout the school year will put both your mind and their minds at ease.

LightSail offers a variety of tools to get your family ready for testing season. Reading a wide range of books will boost your children’s vocabulary and reinforce concepts from social studies, science, and other school subjects. The more they read, the more they’ll know!

Plus, with learning modules like Vocabulary and Word Work, your kids can practice test-taking skills. They’ll also become more accustomed to answering test questions as they take the quizzes in Bookmarks and Unit Studies.

For younger kids who are feeling anxious before an exam, read a book like Keep Calm! My Stress-busting Tips together. It will equip your children with tips to ease their worries and keep a clear head on test day.