How do you record and evaluate dc's progress?

[3musketeers]

Ladies,

I wanted to take a little poll to see how different mom's keep records or evaluate their dc's progress. Do you give grades? Make a portfolio of work samples? Standardize tests? Write evaluation notes?

I have sadly been lacking in this area. My oldest will be going into 4th grade and so far I have not done well with this in our younger years. We took our first standardized test this spring. Fortunately our state laws are very lenient in this area. I do feel it's time to get on the ball. So it is my goal to add this into our homeschool routine for years to come. Please share. I could use some ideas .

Blessings,
Cindy

[Benelli]

Here's what I do, so far. I keep a portfolio for each child to show progress. In it are samples of their art work, their completed Singapore books and other workbooks, and a sample of any other items that are fairly easy to judge improvement between the beginning and end of the year. Like handwriting, sentence/paragraph writing samples, etc. I also have them take the Iowa standardized testng, which is very detailed in its evaluation of skills. In addition, they take the California Achievement Test (CAT) to submit to the county, which is a requirement here where I live. It is not a good measure of specific strength and weaknesses, as it only breaks down to LA score and Math score. But, it is sufficient for reporting! I use the Iowa scores to see where there are gaps we may need to look at, as scoring is much more detailed. I'm curious to see what others do as well. I'm not so worried about their test scores. I'm more looking to see noticable improvement through the year in my kids' skills. But, since my county requires test reporting, I make the most of it!

Blessings,

[LeAnna]

My kids are still young, but I keep a rubbermaid filing box, filled with their work throughout each year. It also holds any workbooks that they did. I also keep a three ring notebook, and with page protectors, hold their attendence records (that is required where we live), along with a calendar of what we did each day-- very brief, just unit and day from HOD, and anything extra we might have did--- fieldtrips, cooking, nature walk, etc.
I also keep a list of books that we read throughout the year, a list of the books and curriculum that we are using, and our
immunization records. I don't grade, at least until highschool. Not all is required, but I think that it's good to keep track of some of these things.
HTH,
LeAnna

[Daisy]

To demonstrate progress, I do the following...

1. Quarterly samples of math, reading (book list), and writing. At the end of the year these are put into a manila envelope and marked with the year and student's name.
2. I keep their history/science notebooks (they love these and look at them over and over again)
3. I make a dated notation in their cum file that says, "__________ has fulfilled the requirements for 1st grade and is promoted to 2nd."

What I keep in their cum file.

1. The above dated notation
2. Course of Study
3. Attendance record
4. Vaccination records & kinder dr. visit
5. Copy of state affadavit (declaring ourselves a private school)

That's it. The only thing my husband's school does differently is put 3rd quarter grades and any standardized test scores into the cum file. So my samples are taking the place of grades.

[3musketeers]

Super helpful ideas!

Daisy, thank you for the details of your cum. file. That gives me some very specific things to think about.

Blessings,
Cindy

[my3sons]

We keep samples of our dc's work in tabbed 3 ring binders. We have a binder for each year. I also have a file with their IA Basics standardized test scores. I have a running record of what they did each year for school and the books that they read. It is fun to look back through their binders and see the progress!

In Christ,
Julie

[MamaBear23Cubs]

My oldest is only 9 so I am only offically teaching one again this year. We keep nothing but the state test every year. All work from this year from all three children has been tossed into the reclycing been last week. He says since the requirement is to have test or a portfolio we don't need to keep the papers, just the test since we test.
This year I am doing a scrapbook of school. I will have a pic of each child, a list of what they aredoing for school, their attendance and pictures of field trips and them doing work and what crafts/activities we do. I don't scrapbook but thought it be kind of fun and its something I can keep for them to look at when they grew up. Hubby don't mind pictures but hates all the paperwork our 'school' creates.