Jenamarie wrote:As I try to figure out what sorts of curriculum to order for my DD's 1st grade year (and our very first year homeschooling) I find myself getting worried about one thing: What if a curriculum doesn't cover what's necessary for DD to know by the time she starts having to take the State standardized tests?
Are you sure your dc has to be tested? And really, very few publishers/products will be completely off from the scope and sequence of what is commonly taught in school, at least in English and math skills, and that's what is most important.
I read reviews for, example, math curriculums, and some say they go slower or faster than traditional public school math curriculums, and/or they cover some things earlier and other things later than PS students, so what PS 4th graders are learning is something your student won't learn until, say grade 6 (using that curriculum).
I wouldn't worry about that at all. People will say opposite things about the same product; they're either both right, or both wrong. It doesn't matter that much. Really.
Can/Do some states punish HS parents if their kids bomb the standardized tests? Will they take into consideration that my student is learning *other* things at this time, in place of some of the stuff her PS counterparts are learning?
One or two states will require more accountability from parents whose dc don't place at specific levels on standardized tests, but no, the states don't "punish" parents. No, it won't matter that your dc is studying something different; the state will only look at the test scores (if testing is required, as opposed to some sort of individual assessment, which is why it's important for you to know your state law).
Married to Mr. Ellie for over 30 years
Mother to 2 dds and 2 dsil
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