Wednesday, May 28, 2008

MAP Testing

Within the homeschooling community I've heard a lot of pro's and con's about having your kids tested. I'm still not sure how I feel. I don't really feel like I need to test them, I think they're doing ok. I do wonder, though, about how I am doing as their teacher. If they are tested and they do alright then that means I must at the least be an adequate teacher, right? Well, we bit the bullet this morning and my oldest two kids took the MAP test (Measure of Academic Progress). Now we just wait until next week to hear the results on how they did. I was glad that the test focused on math and reading only not on history, social studies, science etc. None of the questions were over controversial matters, thank goodness! They did seem to ask a significant amount of questions about syllables, more than I thought necessary. All of this really means nothing to me though until we get some results.

So, how about you? Do you test your kids?
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3 comments:

Monica said...

This is the first year that I tested. We do the IOWA test. I decided just to do the 4th and 5th grader. We should be getting the results soon. Kind of scary from my perspective. You're right, it is more of a gauge of my teaching then their learning. They'll learn anything they are taught.

Anonymous said...

We have to test in this state. We don't pay alot of attention to the results. However, they are interesting to see.
Blessings,
Dawn
www.homeschoolblogger.com/my4sweetums

Leanne said...

No testing for us...too much stress and besides, I know exactly how they are doing as their teacher, and I also know already what I need to improve on myself.

I think it is not a good idea to hold homeschoolers to the low standards of public schoolers. When my kids took the CAT test, they aced it and it was a joke for them!

I mean, every mom has to do what they feel is right and what their husband wants, but I think testing is a waste of time and a big stressor in a family.

That's my two cents' worth!!

Leanne