How to check the academic progress of homeschooling children ?

Question : Academic Progress

How to check the academic  progress of homeschooling children ?
 

[14/08 8:34 PM] Mrs AH: 2 sons,7 and 15

How to check the academic  progress of homeschooling children ?

As with everything else,there are more resources available nowadays than at any other time in the past to allow us access to testing methods,be it worksheets,test sheets,online quizzes, compiled work books etc. but I personally feel that in pre teen years the sheer interaction with your kids will allow you to assess where they stand with different topics or concepts,you will understand the extent of their grasp from their expressions,the way they apply or avoid certain notions etc.

In teenage years,when examination stage is imminent, testing becomes a necessary evil for those who wish to take that path.syllabus books and workbooks usually offer enough opportunity to practice and then topical past paper exercises can be solved on the same topic as the one which was introduced to see the performance from a more official point of view.
If it were up to me,though,I'd totally eradicate testing and introduce apprenticeship system once again.
  On another note,and I hope you will not mind,I wanted to share a tip on helping your kids be more independent and teaching them responsibility.This is just something that works for us and it might help you in at least inspiring you with some ideas, insha'Allah.

My elder son has been making his school lunch from the age of 9.Now that he's old enough,he is in charge of dinner,m mainly for himself and his brother.We've decided together on recipes he likes and are easy enough to make and divided the week up in 2 day veggies,2 days poultry /meat,2 days pulses/beans,1 day carbs for convenience of following through.

 

 Marjo MHS: my 2 and half year old knows he has to tidy up after himself after he plays, although I do help a little he does a fantastic job masha'Allah. After getting undressed he puts his clothes in the washing basket and even throws his nappy away masha'Allah lol I hope to get more tips from you insh'Allah

 

 Mrs AH: Chores still need more supervision as there is no immediate result that would satisfy the kids,as opposed cooking and then EATING.

So,for us,although the chores are scheduled in,I need to regularly make sure I ask"is everything done from your list?" And only then they will take a good look at it and follow through since they haven't yet formed feeling of satisfaction when everything is set,neat and out of the way. But,hopefully, with repeated efforts we'll get them to that stage by the time they grow up

Soheba: 3 boys, 1 girl/ Ages 10-5

I agree 100% with Mrs.AH views on testing and bringing back apprenticeship system. Younger children do not need to be tested. Older children appearing for o levels will need to learn how to answer papers.

Excessive testing is more problematic than it is beneficial for both students and teachers. In the West, teachers seem to have caught on to the harms of testing. In Pakistan, teachers don't seem to notice these harms.

I would encourage everyone to look up the harms of standardized testing.
Here is an link for an overview:
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/07/05/the-problem-with-standardized-tests-in-education

Mrs. AH: The above point on standardized tests brings me one step back to teaching methods as well.In all the hype of (too) early education everyone seems to be looking of claims to be in possession of the PERFECT METHOD of teaching a certain skill or concept.And we see so many ask the question"What's the best method to teach reading/division/science etc?"

There is NO Universal BEST METHOD.what's best for one might not suit the requirements of others

 

Ummibaps: 8 sons, 1 daughter / 2yrs to 18yrs

Regarding Academic Progress ....

It depends on your objective of homeschooling.

For families who homeschool in order to excel and go beyond what a school offers;  they can seek out online tests, use workbooks that are grade specific and refer to their children's tutors for progress reports.

For families who homeschool so that their children can learn at their own pace,  they oversee the child's progress and set goals to be achieved.  They do not feel the need to compare academic progress with standards set by others.

Esp in the case of young children learning can be assessed by their conversation and change of behavior.  Have a family discussion at dinner often reveals what the child has learned through the day.

 

Salma MHS: I respect and understand what you are saying, Ummibaps Baji. But when these children enter university life, don't they find it hard to cope with the very different testing style n standards there? I'm assuming, of course, that after learning at home until what (age) would be intermediate/ A-levels age, homeschooled

Kids do enter uni life. Please correct me if I'm wrong
 

Ummibaps: Yes those who want to do go to university.  Adjusting to university life has a lot to do with maturity and capability.

The testing aspect:
Homeschoolers are not unfamiliar with giving examinations,  they do give O and A level papers as private candidates.  Many go to tuition centers to prepare for the papers .. most tuition centers conduct mock examinations to help prepare.

In fact many homeschoolers are less nervous about giving an examination because they have not learned to "fear" an exam as many schooled children do.

The aspect of University life:
many homeschoolers are not strangers to doing research and self study on their own. ( it depends on their upbringing)  School children here receive notes and grooming for exams more that they are taught to seek knowledge on their and so university life becomes daunting at first when they suddenly have to research and regulate their study time for themselves.
 Many homeschoolers live a life at hoe with academics as a part of it. They eventually have to balance both.

Schooled children spend more time per day at school and with school work than life work like household chores and outdoor work etc so at when faced with  university life they find it difficult to study and take care of home....It does happen but is a new experience for them...

Just my thoughts on this

 (Note: The above is a copy of a Whatsapp conversation,   partly edited for clarity)