Noah’s placement test
Jun 4, 2007 Homeschooling
I always wondered where Noah would be in an actual academic environment and it turns out he’s about where I thought he’d be: behind in math and way ahead in reading.
The placement teacher wasn’t sure about where to put him in math because he’s not as behind as we thought he might be but we decided to bump him down and then test him out of some of it to catch him up more quickly.
He tested as high as they go in reading comprehension and likely would be higher since he only missed one or two on the highest level they have, (which, may I brag, is 8th grade). But we’re not bumping him up since his grammar tests right where he ought to be.
I wish we’d started him with formal math earlier, I guess, although the attitude at K12 seems to be that levels are kinda arbitrary and that it’s really about letting kids work at their own pace (my thoughts exactly).
I have high hopes for the virtual school and Noah is excited about getting assignments because he’s a bit of a geek, (but in a good way). My biggest concern right now is that his “evaluate me!” self will kick in and make him work for the grade instead of the learning itself. You should have seen the way he grabbed for his Hebrew/Religious school report card. Sheesh.
Today I’m all high on homeschooling because if this virtual school works it’ll solve our dilemma (how to make sure Noah is caught up enough that school can be an option for him if he so chooses as a teen) but still keep him at home where we all want him to be. (Him most of all.) I also want to evaluate it as an option for Madison if need be. I still really really want homeschooling to work for her but we’ll see. And I’d also like to unschool her for the early years, too, although we’d hit math a little earlier.
June 4th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I remember when the people around you (but not you?) were concerned about Noah’s reading. I think of that whenever somebody brings up an example of some kid they know first/second/third hand who is in some form of education of which they don’t approve and who isn’t reading at whatever they consider to be the proper age.
June 4th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
ahh, the challenges of schooling options. we moved to our town due to its blue ribbon public school status. my sons has struggled since kindergarten in reading writing due to their whole language approach to reading and such. my kid needs phonics. i am appalled at his spelling (he is now in 4th grade) and the teachers keep saying its better he spell it wrong and be a confident wrong speller. WTF? I am sorry. I disagree. He is great at math but behind in reading and spelling.
We got accepted to a magnet school for next year that uses Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. They believe in phonics work and I am hoping it helps him.
Good luck with Noah. I have the reverse issue. Perhaps they should be cyber pals? LOL.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Oooh . . welcome to k12! We started in April based in part on the fact that you liked it way back when. One of the things I like is that (so far) there are no grades — you either “master” the lesson, or you review it and re-assess. But there is that lovely ‘Progress’ tab, where they can see how much they’ve done — my guy likes to see where it’s at today.
As for the testing, he tested on grade level for math & writing, and ahead for reading — I was surprised! Another mom I know had both her daughters test ahead for reading & behind for math, so I expected he would do the same. I wonder if it matters that he’s in third, while my friends daughters are in 5 & 7 — Noah would be 4th or 5th, too right? I’m betting the math gets farther ahead of the norm the older the kids get.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:45 am
I like the mastery idea, too. The teacher said he’ll likely be caught up with math by the end of the year with judicious testing out. He’s not confident with his multiplication so he’s really fourth grade but I asked her to drop him down to third so he can test out of a whole bunch and feel really confident about himself. She said that was fine but to have him test out a whole bunch at the front so that he can get to where he actually needs to be more quickly. I was worried he’d be upset about being in third grade math but he doesn’t care because he’s all cocky about the reading.
June 6th, 2007 at 2:06 am