10 Reasons We Choose Not to Subject Ourselves to Torture (Homeschool Standardized Testing)

Here’s a question I get asked over and over: 

That’s such a loaded question. And I must warn you, I have strong opinions about it. Of course, my opinions are my own, for the good of my own child. I have no opinion about what you should do in your homeschool, but just in case you are wondering . . . 

 

The answer for our homeschool is, “no, we do not do standardized testing.” Thankfully, it is not required in our state. A state requirement would be the only impetus to subject ourselves to standardized testing. I do understand that for many of you, this is not an option. But if you can opt out of standardized testing in your homeschool and you’re trying to decide what to do, here are the reasons why we have chosen not to in our homeschool.

 

Curiosity. Leadership. Compassion. Persistence. Courage. LOVE. Things like that. You measure these things by observation and experience. No test can tell you if your child has enough curiosity. In fact, it’s my belief that teaching to standardized testing pretty much quells any and all curiosity.  

Standardized tests do not mesh well with our delight-directed, unit study homeschool method.

We didn’t do state history in 4th grade and so far Ben doesn’t know how to write in cursive. But he is a whiz at the Revolutionary War and science topics that aren’t usually taught until middle school. That’s because we follow his interests. The idea of teaching certain topics at certain grade levels doesn’t appeal to us, therefore standardized testing would be a useless measure of Ben’s knowledge. He would likely score exceptionally well in some areas and not so well in others. 

Standardized tests focus on a narrow area of learning, emphasizing the ability to memorize. 

Testing all 5th graders to find out what they know is great for the 5th graders in public school who are all learning the same exact things. I really don’t care if Ben knows what they know. What they know is of little value to Ben. 

Standardized tests assume falsely that all students at a certain grade level should know the same material.

Who decides this anyway? What if your child is gifted or learning challenged? What if they just don’t fit into the standard mold at all? Again, it’s of no value to us to assume that all 5th graders should know the same material.

Standardized tests measure a child’s progress against the progress of other children rather than a personally designed or chosen course of study.

I know when Ben is progressing in math and writing. I want to see steady progress in all areas, based on how he was performing the day, week, month or year before. It is of no consequence to me how he measures up to other 5th graders or a course of study we don’t find necessary to follow. 

 

 

Standardized tests assume a certain style of learning. 

 

 

Clearly not Ben’s style. 

 

Standardized tests affect self-esteem if scores are poor.

Ben struggles in math. I’m able to use curriculum at his level so that he is encouraged in his progress and not discouraged because a test said he didn’t know enough.

Standardized tests bring about a sense of sinful pride if scores are excellent.

Ben reads at a near college level. His comprehension is high as well. I suspect he would do well on this portion of any standardized test. But you know what? He has no idea that he has these special gifts. And I would prefer to keep it that way.

Standardized tests diminish one of the main goals of homeschooling — the love of learning.

Teaching to the test means that children aren’t given the freedom to learn those things they are interested in. Allowing passions to dictate learning means that Ben is always in love with learning. 

We don’t have to!

Yes, in our state, we just don’t have to. I might have to move should that ever change. 

Frankly, we don’t do standardized testing for the same reason we don’t send Ben to public school — a cookie cutter approach to education (including testing) does nothing to train up my child according to his unique God-given gifts, learning styles, and future calls to work or ministry. It does nothing to form his character, disciple him, or teach him the value of education.

 

I am called to be Ben’s teacher, I am aware of how he learns, I am the chooser (with his input) of what he learns, and we don’t follow any kind of grade-level scope and sequence (not even for math!). I know his abilities and capabilities as well as his deficits. A set of standard tests, designed for public schools where the cookie-cutter education reigns, would tell me nothing about Ben that I don’t already know. I am not at all concerned about whether or not he knows the same information as his same-age peers. In fact, I’m thrilled that because we homeschool, we can follow his interests and passions, without regard to “what a fifth-grader should know”. I don’t feel the need to compare his abilities in math or reading comprehension, because we are moving along at a pace that is comfortable and forward-moving, without regard to what “grade-level” he is working at. That may mean that he is working above grade level in some areas and below in others. In fact, it does mean exactly that.

 

That is the beauty of homeschooling. 

 

Disclaimer: I may choose at some point to allow Ben to take some kind of standardized testing in an effort to introduce him to the methods used. I assume he will one day take the ACT or SAT for college entrance, and I’d want him to understand the methodology ahead of time. It will be up to him and based on his future career and education goals, not because we find standardized testing at all valuable.