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Hey, Kelly~

Having to "report" is frustrating ! I don't know what would happen if you were "holding dc back". I know that last yr I had to make some changes w/ my st. Being my first yr hsing, I didn't know what would work or not, obviously ! Anyway, when I made changes, I just stated why I was changing, what I was switching to, and what the material would be covering. (Speaking of which, I need to do that for this yr again. )

I think if you needed to repeat some things, you could easily do it. Let me use an example of what might happen here:
I would submit my end-of-yr paperwork as usual, which includes reports/test results/assessments/portfolios from this yr along w/ my Minimum Course of Study for what I plan on doing next yr. They would either approve or disapprove both my yr-end info and/or my request for the next yr.

If they deny my request, they have to give me a reason and what is needed for more information. So, they could say that the material covered is not what the child should be doing. In this case, I would send information/proof that my child was not ready for something else. I would explain that he/she struggled in an area and really needed to work some more or use this different material. This information would also show up in my yr-end paperwork. If you are switching material, that is a plus in your favor because you can also say that this is where your child places w/in that material.

It does seem to be ridiculous because we hsers seem to have to live up to a higher standard than those who are in the ps system - at least here. (Which isn't a real issue because we want to do more! ) The ps also won't "hold back" any more because they say it affects the dc's "self-esteem" . (That's a whole other issue that I won't get into but wanted to let you know where they stand on that.)

I don't know if I've helped or not. (I had a post that I lost which was worded so much better! ) I'll be glad to help you if this isn't clear.

K

Kelly wrote: I do have another question for you while we are talking about grade levels. (I hope this topic is ok.) If your child is behind the level that is taught in public school and would probably be held back if they were in p.s., do you hold them back a grade level in your reporting for homeschooling? Just wondering how others deal with this issue.

I did hold my dd with special needs back in the second grade while hsing. Oddly in my state we do not report grade levels. They give us the option for placing a * next to special ed and I chose not to because it was to request special ed services. I did not want the help or the tag on my child's name to have them decide to watch over me. I did decide though if we have to report a grade I will report the lower grade level as her official grade level. It gives her an extra year of highschool and I think that would be good for her. I will still be teaching then anyway so why not.

On the other side I am contemplating what to do with my youngest who is at this moment ahead of herself. If I want to report her a year early so she gets credit or if I want her under the radar. I guess the best thing is maybe to look long term and see what would seem best in the end for your child ultimately.

The reason that it has been an issue is because of standardized testing. We belong to our church homeschool group and they require testing each year 3rd grade and up. They want us to do it for our benefit,for a "check up" . My son has been having trouble with most things that come easier for kids his age and is very sensitive, so that is why I held him back. I was just curious how others handled this issue, if they have had it.
ALSO..... MY BOX JUST CAME!!!
Everything looks great!! I am so excited to get started, but I promised my kids this week would be our Spring Break!!! So, I will spend this week looking over everything and getting ready. I also think I need to order a few more things.
I especially love the looks of Julie's book. I can't wait to get started reading it! Thanks Julie, and thanks to Carrie for sending it out for free! I know I am going to love it. HOD is such a blessing already!! And I haven't even begun teaching from it!!! The service and the camaraderie here is amazing!!
In Him,
Kelly

Woo-hoo!! Have fun with your new books, Kelly! How exciting!

I missed most of this conversation while we were out of town, but I've actually started 2nd guessing myself the opposite way as you. I've been reading how everything from one guide to the next builds, and wondering what my ds is going to miss if I start in Bigger...

I love all the help and "friendship" here, too!

Happy Box Day!

Kathleen

Kelly, have fun looking through everything!! It's hard to *wait* isn't it?!

Kelly, I think I missed most of this thread so if this is a repeat...sorry.

When I was teaching, in the state of MO, "holding back" was allowed only for K or 1st grade year. There was no "failing" or "holding back" beyond 2nd grade.

If he is young, then I think you could hold off on that testing until he was a 3rd grader in your homeschool....make sense? The testing is probably just going to say what grade level he is working at anyway, so waiting might help.

You might also want to ask someone at the church homeschool, counselors usually know that type of info.

Have fun with your boxes!!
Mel

Kelly,

Yeah, your boxes arrived! Have fun looking and make sure and share what you're thinking about placement once you've seen the guide a little more in depth!

Kathleen,

Don't worry about what you're missing in the other guides! While the guides do build nicely one upon the other, we are also very careful to write our guides so that you can enter in anywhere. So, the best fit on the placement chart is DEFINITELY the right way to go!

Blessings,
Carrie