CHEWV

Category: Portfolios

  • Second Year to Struggle With Assessment Results?

    Second Year to Struggle With Assessment Results?

    Remember that the second consecutive year that a homeschooled student does not make “acceptable progress” on their annual homeschool assessment, the parent or instructor must submit “additional evidence” of appropriate instruction TO THE COUNTY.
    • What is “acceptable progress?”

    Acceptable progress is made when the average of the five required test scores (reading, language, math, science, and social studies) falls at or above the 23rd percentile or 4th stanine. Find additional details here.

    OR

    When a portfolio reviewer makes the statement that the child has progressed according to their abilities.
    Find a helpful flow chart here.

     

    • What is “additional evidence?”

    While the law does not give clear guidelines for what additional evidence means, it could include remedial plans, additional tutoring, or even evidence of progress. It might also include diagnostic information or statements by medical personnel that explains why low scores might be expected.

    This article should provide additional help.

     

    • Isn’t this requirement only for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11?

    NO. This is true no matter what grade level your student is in. However, it is only the second consecutive year that a child is below acceptable progress that this applies.

    Questions? Contact Becky at testing@chewv.org.

     

  • End-of-Year Assessment Questions?

    End-of-Year Assessment Questions?

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion icon_color=”gcid-e540b58d-3727-49e3-b576-530dfae993e7″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-e540b58d-3727-49e3-b576-530dfae993e7%22:%91%22icon_color%22%93}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Are assessments required only in 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grades?” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    NO. Assessments are required every homeschooling year! Since this continues to be misunderstood, we appreciate all support group and social media influencers who pass the word.

    [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do assessments have to be completed by June 30th?” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]

    YES – IF they are for 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 11th graders, assessment results must be turned in to the county superintendent’s office by June 30th. For those specific grade levels, assessments need to be done by the end of June.

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    YES! Even though you may not have to submit the assessment results, you are still required to initiate a remedial program if your child falls below acceptable progress requirements in ANY given year.

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    Great question! That’s why we made a convenient flow chart to help.

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    It’s always possible to get the assessment completed. Tests can be ordered (and administered online) from BJU Press Testing and Evaluation. Their online testing results are available quickly. Alternatively, portfolio reviewers can be contacted until you find someone available for an upcoming review.

    [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”If we tested with CHEWV, what do we turn in to the county?” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]

    Besides the official test results, you will also receive a County Report for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11. This is the report that we recommend submitting to the county because it contains only the information required by law. (You will receive this report AFTER you have already received the publisher’s results. We appreciate your patience as we prepare these reports for hundreds of students and families.)

    [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What if I have more questions?” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]

    Becky Price, CHEWV’s Assessment Coordinator, is happy to help. Reach her at testing@chewv.org.

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  • Help! I Need a Portfolio Review This Year

    Help! I Need a Portfolio Review This Year

    But I’ve Never Done One Before!

    With all the changes COVID-19 has brought to our lives, you may be wondering how to get your annual homeschool assessments done. If you usually test your students, this year you may find yourself considering a portfolio review instead. Here are some points to help you traverse this new territory.

    First, several portfolio reviewers around the state are not only comfortable doing remote reviews but are willing to help parents who have never prepared an “official portfolio.”  You can find a list of reviewers at this link.

    Second, since a portfolio is simply a gathering of samples, ithttps://new.chewv.org/assessments/wv-portfolio-reviewers/ can be done with less fanfare than you might think. This year most reviewers will not be able to review physical portfolios as they might have done in years past – so you’re not alone!  Therefore, portfolios needn’t necessarily be worksheet or paper-based entirely. Creative solutions might include having your child read over FaceTime or Facebook Messenger Video in order to demonstrate their grade-appropriate reading ability. Pictures of science projects or field trips can help substantiate active learning. And if you do need to show workbook pages or math problems, you can easily take a picture of various samples and text them to the reviewer. Everything must be a bit more creative this year. “Samples” of work can also be uploaded to Pinterest, Facebook, Dropbox, Google Drive, and many other options.

    Last, think of your reviewer as a fellow homeschool mom! Most portfolio reviewers are (or have been) homeschool moms themselves. They have experienced the differences in individualized teaching at home versus classroom teaching. For example, this encouraging article is a classroom teacher’s comparison of her teaching in school versus her teaching at home. Don’t envision the reviewer as a teacher who is ready to find fault. Instead, view this as an opportunity to chat with another mom who has studied education and may have helpful pointers – or much-needed encouragement.

    If you are leaning toward a portfolio review this year in lieu of testing, we encourage you to contact reviewers and chat with them about how they’d like to see your work. That first conversation could allay all your concerns. 

    Finally, remember that the June 30th deadline applies only to students in 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grades. While ALL students must still be assessed this year, you have much more time for students in other grades. 

    For more details about this year’s requirements, click here.

    I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been. 

    – Winnie the Pooh