One of the things most experienced homeschoolers will recommend is doing a mid-year evaluation. But what should you evaluate and how? There are many ways. It doesn’t have to be fancy or formal if you don’t want to, but it’s good to evaluate a few things mid-year so you don’t get too sidetracked.
preschoolers
There are many online sources to discuss preschool skills. If you are doing a preschool program, there will likely be a mid-year or end-of-year evaluation available. However, if you don’t find something you like, be sure to assess how you’re doing and what progress you’ve made. It can be compared to an evaluation at the beginning of the year. If you didn’t do one, that’s fine, just do one now to assess the skills your preschooler has been working on and then you can assess at the end of the year what they’ve accomplished.
Primary and secondary school
Many elementary programs have assessments or a curriculum that lays out what you will learn during the year. You can use them as the basis for a mid-year review. There are also some online resources available that can help you analyze and assess where you stand with your elementary or middle school student’s abilities. However, the most important step for a mid-year evaluation for your elementary and middle school student is what is working and what is not. This is the best time to make sure changes are made if needed.
high school
With high school, you probably want to make sure you’re being evaluated according to your high school student’s long-term goals. If he or she has his or her sights set on college, he or she will want to make sure he or she is on the right track to meet college prerequisites as well as progress through personal achievement goals. In many cases, your high school student can complete a self-assessment to help you first. Again, it is important to review the curriculum or plan you are using during this mid-year review and make any necessary changes.
Charlotte Mason
If you are using a Charlotte Mason style of education at home, you are likely taking an end-of-term oral exam. This is a great way to assess how your student’s skills are developing and what needs additional attention. You will also be able to judge if they are understanding the material and know if you need to slow down or speed up your material.
classic
As a classical educator, you may want to take a mid-year exam to see where your student is in their studies. Keeping track of these exams can help your child see what he’s accomplishing and help you determine if there are any areas that need extra attention.
Other methods
Many other homeschooling methods also have a mid-year evaluation built into their programs. If yours doesn’t, there’s no reason you can’t make your own. This doesn’t mean you need to give grades or worry about getting to a specific point in your curriculum if your student isn’t ready. It just gives you some guidelines to work from and helps you see what you’ve accomplished so far this year.
general
One of the most important aspects of a mid-year evaluation is to assess what is working and what is not. If you have tried a new methodology or curriculum, how do you and your student enjoy it? You are progressing? Have you stopped? Is there something that is a fight every day? If you are struggling with a particular subject every day, is there another program, curriculum, or method that might work better for your student?
Your mid-year review is a great time to make changes and see what needs adjusting. It’s also an excellent time to give your kids much-needed brakes on what’s going right. If you don’t give grades, a mid-year review is a good way to give a certificate or reward for good work to help keep them motivated.
What do you do for a mid-year review?