laurajean wrote:
Carli wrote:
We test in nearly every subject and a book is never allowed. Now, when dd did Science Olympiad, per the rules, all events were allowed a 2-sided 8.5 x 11 sheet of notes in any form, from any source; some events were allowed a 3-ring binder. Testing, imo, is a great thing to do with kids, even those with test anxiety. If they ever plan to go to college, having a background in testing will be a very useful tool. Additionally, if one is testing, they'll hopefully learn study skills that will aid in their retention. All that being said, I do not "teach to the test" but test at home to find out if they've mastered a subject. Sometimes it's a written test and other times it's done orally. We are also required by our state to test each year; I passed on that for the last school year and instead am planning to do a state-approved evaluation form that I fill out myself and have stamped by a certified teacher.
What Carli said. And she said it better than I could have even THOUGHT of saying!
Besides, testing is Biblical. The math tests of life are the easy ones....it's God's testing that's HARD. These little tests...math, history, science...are just dress rehearsals for the real thing!
I love your answer even better!
That being said, I do test, on occasions. Last year, my ds, when he was ready for his English tests, I did allow him to open up his student text. He never had the answers, per say, except on a few definitions, but he was able to see how the diagramming was done in a particular way or a set of rules he could look at to determine his test answers. For all other subjects, no looking at the book. Now that he is in 8th grade, I am going to make sure he is tested at the end of every year so I can really gauge his skill level for the upcoming ACT test in a couple of years.