© Beverley Paine

There are many arguments against using tests as a form of assessment. Some children become so nervous that they can't perform and don't give a true account of their knowledge or ability. Other children seem to manage with last minute cramming despite not having worked or concentrated during learning activities. Children often forget facts and skills after the test, having learned them simply to pass the test. This makes a mockery of the purpose of learning activity and makes education meaningless. Luckily, giving tests to assess children's progress isn't the only way to evaluate the effectiveness of our learning programs and tests are usually a minor tool in our homeschooling toolkits.

Testing is definitely a legitimate way to check on progress. A test can give the parent valuable information about where the child is in his or her learning, and help show what needs to be concentrated on next. Tests can reveal what learning strategies and activities are most effective - what worked or didn't work to achieve the objectives of the activity. In this way, testing can also assess the effectiveness of the teaching. It's no good continuing to teach using the same approach and methods if the child isn't progressing.

For some children, tests offer a sense of accomplishment as well as give information about what they know and what they may need to review. Some children will be motivated by taking tests, whereas other children find them intimidating and stressful. It's a matter of working with, and not against, each child's learning style.

When a child studiously reviews material and skills covered by preceding learning activities, he or she naturally consolidate and sometimes extend their knowledge and ability. Questions may arise during review that clarifies and illuminates aspects of the subject that may have been overlooked earlier. Tests reveal gaps in understanding and ability, which can be addressed through the use of quality, constructive feedback. In this way the test becomes an effective review.

If we are considering, as our purpose, encouraging our children to learn, building, in a continuous progression, on what they already know and can do, rather than compare their progress against other learners or a 'norm', then testing can be an invaluable teaching aid.

Further reading:

• Filling in the Dots, Wendy Priesnitz
• A Model T test in the internet age: Standardized exams do students no favors
• Why I am Against Standardised Testing
• The Case Against Standardised Testing, Alfie Kohn
• Testing, the Natural Learning Way
• The Case Against High Stakes Testing
• The Case Against Standardised Testing, Chris Carter
• Insider Exposes Standardised Testing Industry
• Parents and Kids Against Standardised Testing facebook page

Beverley has written extensively about evaluating and recording home education learning programs. Her Getting Started with Homeschooling includes a chapter with samples taken from her personal records.