What makes a good homeschool evaluator?
How many of you moms panic at the end of the school year? You have lessons to finish, recitals and plays to attend, and portfolios to organize. It’s stressful, I’m sure. I’m not there yet as a homeschool mom, but I’ve seen the exhaustion and nervousness walk through my front door each spring that I evaluate area students. I’ve been an evaluator for the past five years or so, and I can see the work that you put into your children’s education.
So, what makes a good evaluator? First, a good evaluator supports your efforts as a homeschool parent. They don’t grade you or your children, and they shouldn’t waste your time quizzing your children on any given subject.
Second, a good evaluator shouldn’t charge you a huge fee. It’s scamming the hardworking parents when the evaluator starts asking for high fees over $30 for high school students, and over $20 for elementary students. The only exception to the rule are evaluators who work with PHAA students. An additional $5.00 paperwork fee is reasonable. But, over $35 for high school evaluations can be considered close to highway robbery!
Third, an evaluator should NEVER ask you or your child to write an essay or take a test. The only exception would be requirements set by diploma programs. For example, Pennsylvania Homeschoolers’ (PHAA) diploma program requires a 10-page paper along with three other compositions each school year. So, PHAA is an exception to the rule. Otherwise, an evaluator is not complying with PA Homeschool law when they start asking the mother for synopsis of each class taken. It’s even shady when an evaluator insists on keeping the portfolio for a week. Their job is to look over the portfolio and log at the time of the evaluation---not to study it or dissect it over a period of time.
Parents, know your homeschool law, and don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself by saying, “PA Homeschool law only requires you to meet my son/daughter, to review his/her portfolio, and to review his/her log.” All in all, this process should last no more than 15-30 minutes per student.
Wendy Komancheck takes pride in staying at home to be a mother and wife. In her spare time, she writes for trade magazines, local publications, and grants. She also tutors, evaluates, and empowers parents to advocate for their children’s education. For more information, you can email her at wendykomancheck@yahoo.com.
So, what makes a good evaluator? First, a good evaluator supports your efforts as a homeschool parent. They don’t grade you or your children, and they shouldn’t waste your time quizzing your children on any given subject.
Second, a good evaluator shouldn’t charge you a huge fee. It’s scamming the hardworking parents when the evaluator starts asking for high fees over $30 for high school students, and over $20 for elementary students. The only exception to the rule are evaluators who work with PHAA students. An additional $5.00 paperwork fee is reasonable. But, over $35 for high school evaluations can be considered close to highway robbery!
Third, an evaluator should NEVER ask you or your child to write an essay or take a test. The only exception would be requirements set by diploma programs. For example, Pennsylvania Homeschoolers’ (PHAA) diploma program requires a 10-page paper along with three other compositions each school year. So, PHAA is an exception to the rule. Otherwise, an evaluator is not complying with PA Homeschool law when they start asking the mother for synopsis of each class taken. It’s even shady when an evaluator insists on keeping the portfolio for a week. Their job is to look over the portfolio and log at the time of the evaluation---not to study it or dissect it over a period of time.
Parents, know your homeschool law, and don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself by saying, “PA Homeschool law only requires you to meet my son/daughter, to review his/her portfolio, and to review his/her log.” All in all, this process should last no more than 15-30 minutes per student.
Wendy Komancheck takes pride in staying at home to be a mother and wife. In her spare time, she writes for trade magazines, local publications, and grants. She also tutors, evaluates, and empowers parents to advocate for their children’s education. For more information, you can email her at wendykomancheck@yahoo.com.
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