| y parents, the most important consideration when | | | | experienced homeschooling parents have |
| beginning to homeschool is choosing the right | | | | discovered, most children do not fit into one |
| education curriculum. Though finding a curriculum | | | | cookie cutter mold that includes the same |
| that matches both a child’s particular | | | | grade level in every core subject area. Some |
| learning style and parent’s teaching style is | | | | children may excel in math, but struggle with |
| important, what is equally critical is placing a child | | | | learning language arts skills, such as spelling, |
| into a curriculum at the appropriate grade level. | | | | reading, and writing. For other children, the |
| Therefore, diagnostic and assessments tests that | | | | complete opposite might be true. Testing a |
| contain standard evaluation criteria are key in | | | | child’s abilities prior to placing him within an |
| helping your homeschooling experience be more | | | | education curriculum will provide a better |
| enjoyable. Here are a few reasons why: | | | | individualized learning experience. |
| Diagnostic tests measure strengths and | | | | Diagnostic tests save money — Assuming |
| weaknesses — As a yardstick for | | | | a child’s grade level and failing to administer |
| measuring a child’s progress, most | | | | placement tests for each subject can be a very |
| placement tests are in-depth and offer a variety | | | | costly mistake for a homeschooling family. The |
| of questions that truly evaluate a child’s | | | | added expense of shipping and return costs for |
| abilities. Because the test results display a | | | | curriculum that wasn’t challenging or too |
| student’s proficiency of skills, a | | | | difficult needlessly depletes the homeschool |
| homeschool parent is able to be much more | | | | budget. Having to discard partially-used education |
| effective as a teacher. Parents will not only | | | | curriculum creates an even worse expense simply |
| determine the best lesson plans and teaching | | | | because a child’s correct grade level |
| approach to use with an education curriculum, but | | | | wasn’t accurately determined from the |
| they’ll also find a way to make learning | | | | beginning. |
| more fun and exciting. | | | | Diagnostic tests provide peace of mind — |
| Diagnostic tests eliminate learning gaps — | | | | Homeschool parents repeatedly ask themselves if |
| Not every child begins his homeschooling education | | | | their child is really learning everything he needs to |
| in kindergarten. For many, homeschooling may | | | | know. With diagnostic and placement tests, |
| involve transferring from a traditional classroom | | | | parents can finally put this worry to rest and be |
| setting in a public or private Christian school. In | | | | assured their child is exactly where he needs to |
| these cases and also in cases where a | | | | be in his schooling. |
| homeschooling family switches curricula, parents | | | | Diagnostic tests identify special needs — |
| can easily eliminate learning gaps. Diagnostic testing | | | | Although the thought is distressing, diagnostic and |
| takes the guesswork out of placing a child into | | | | placement testing indicate if a child is performing |
| the right grade level and makes sure foundational | | | | far from the skills and abilities recognized for a |
| skills in Bible, language arts, history, geography, | | | | certain grade level. Because the tests reveal more |
| math, and science have been covered. Plus, | | | | than just a poor performance, parents will |
| placement tests prevent the I’m | | | | ascertain if further testing is required to |
| bored look that usually occurs when education | | | | determine if their child may have a learning |
| curriculum repeats material already learned. | | | | disability or special needs. |
| Diagnostic tests customize curriculum — | | | | Clearly, the difference between success and |
| Assigning an education curriculum based solely on | | | | failure in homeschooling comes down to correctly |
| a child’s grade level is not an effective | | | | placing a child within the proper education |
| approach for academic success. As many | | | | curriculum. |