How to Make Sure Your Homeschool Curriculum Measures up to State Standards and Grade Level

( after writing about 20 articles for an online content site, this one was rejected because I included links to other sites... I am posting it here for safe keeping)

There are many points to consider when choosing a homeschool curriculum. Making sure your curriculum measures up to state standards and grade level are two very important aspects.It can be difficult to pinpoint what curriculum is grade appropriate when beginning a homeschool program.  If a child were starting out at Kindergarten level, then one would simply begin at the beginning, but if a child is beginning to homeschool after being in a public or private school, testing may be necessary to determine the child’s actual grade level.  I recommend the free online diagnostic test available at schooloftomorrow.com, which is one of the many available tests available.  The main reason for this testing is that in many cases a child had not mastered every topic they have been introduced in school, even if the child has high-test scores.  In areas like math, for example, prerequisites must be mastered before a new skill is acquired.  If a child does not learn to multiply correctly, division and algebra will be nearly impossible to master.  Look for a diagnostic test that not only tells you what your child’s true grade level is, but also reveals any holes or missed information in your child's education.

Another difficulty in determining curriculum when starting a homeschool program is the fact that national standards do not exist.  In the United States, the state sets educational guidelines, but school districts have control over how those standards are carried out.  One might find a nine year old in NY State in the fifth grade, while In Georgia, the same child would be in the 4th grade.  Likewise, a fifth grader in Manhattan might be a year ahead of a child in Long Island NY, curriculum wise.  This is why determining state standards and local standards are very important.  If you suspect you may move to another state in the future, you will want to look at that states educational standards as well.While it is natural to choose educational materials according to a child's personality or learning style, a parent must take pains to be sure that their child is up to par with other children in the same locality.  The internet holds several websites that one can use to compare different curriculums.  Edstandards.com has compiled lists of all standards for all states.  Unfortunately, you need to wade through the public school administrative jargon to make sense of it.  Educationworld.com is similar to edstandards but also includes great resources like lesson plans.  Edscapes.com is the easiest site to understand, as the information is straightforward and simple.  However, it does no cover all states as of yet. What it does include is national standards, of which parents need to be aware.    Another great resource for national education standards is the set of books written by E.D. Hirsch called The Core Knowledge Series (What your Kindergartener Needs to Know, etc.).   The six volumes of this core curriculum series covers all grades from Kindergarten through sixth grade, and clearly spells out what children across the United States are learning.  These are great books for end of the year and summer review.  They also help you to pinpoint your child’s knowledge level informally, or without testing.  While it is great for a child to do work that has been labeled grade or age appropriate, should they need to return to a school system, they ought to know what other children know.  In addition, should they need to take standardized exams, as many states require, being at age level with their peers will help them to receive passing score or better.

Upon testing and comparing curriculum to state standards, there is a chance that your child may not be at the expected or typical grade level for a child their age.  Test higher or lower to determine the child’s actual level.   Purchase learning materials for these children according to their level of understanding.  If a child should be very advanced, be careful to consider their maturity level as well.  For example, a 10 year old may understand all of the prerequisites to algebra, but they may not be ready for the frustration that comes with it learning algebra.  It might be best to supply another year of practice in order to prepare them.