In the state of Colorado, you are required to either 1)have an evaluation by a licensed(masters degree)professional or 2)nationally standardized testing done every odd year starting in 3rd grade.  I hemmed and hawwed about it.  I postponed and procrastinated it.  I finally gave in and opted for standardized testing, as I figured it would show me possible gaps in her education.

I administered the CAT5 standardized test.   Why not CSAP?  all of my public school going friends asked.  Good question, I answer, but its not nationally standardized so I can’t give it.

Anyway, we did it, and we received results.  My oldest did fabulous, with weaknesses showing up in Spelling(24/28 correct) and Language Mechanics(parts of a sentence, which I really haven’t taught–she missed 2).  Funny little side note, we do spelling every school day.  Every day.  And its her weak spot.

I haven’t submitted them yet.  They are hanging on the fridge, where they’ve been for the past month. I’m dragging my feet, because I am afraid that it will spur the district into investigating me.

I know it sounds crazy.  I’m obviously doing my job as far as they are concerned.  I worry that they will want her back in public school in order to up their CSAP scores.  I know it seems like I am some freak conspiracy theorist, but in the past couple months I have seen gov’t become involved in homeschool families for much less of a reason.

And really, what does the testing show?  Its a snapshot of an education.  Saying anyone is knowledgable about a whole topic after asking 30 questions, even if they answer them perfectly(as my oldest did on most), is ridiculous.  Its like saying that one can play an entire symphony perfectly because they can play 30 notes perfectly, or saying they know very little if they can’t play those 30 notes, even if everything else is in the bag.

I’ll get the scores sent in this week, along with my letter of intent….and hope they just  check the box and file it away…….