What about standardized testing?

Posted byAnnerinePosted inAssessments, Planning, RequirementsTags:, , , ,

Introduction

As South Africans, we’ve grown up in a school environment where the matric exit exam has always been (still is!) a significant milestone. It’s the moment where all your academic efforts are put to the test, and your future prospects often hinge on this one standardized assessment.

However, it may surprise you that there are matriculation routes where a child’s progression to tertiary education isn’t solely dependent on a standardized test. In the United States, for example, high school graduation requirements vary by state. A recent analysis by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing revealed that as of 2023, only 8 out of 50 states still required graduation tests, with this number expected to decrease further as continued research shows that exit exams don’t necessarily improve academic achievement or employment outcomes. Certainly, no surprise there, as we have witnessed this firsthand in South Africa.

For our own students – graduating through our partner, HomeLife Academy (HLA), – standardized testing is not a requirement for matriculation. This approach aligns perfectly with our philosophy of personalized education, where a broad range of subjects and resources are tailored to each student’s unique needs and strengths. (Disclaimer: If your child is enrolled in a different program, it’s essential to confirm the specific graduation and standardized testing requirements for matriculation.)

That said, standardized tests can still offer valuable benefits, even in a personalized learning environment. Let’s explore what standardized tests are, their potential advantages and disadvantages, and the most commonly applied standardized tests in the South African context for American High School Diploma students.

The Role of Standardized Testing in Homeschooling

So of course,  in a personalized education setting, we would like to maximize the benefits, and reduce the disadvantages. As such, standardized tests can serve several valuable purposes:

1. Diagnostic Tool

Many of our mathematics and English resources offer placement tests, which can be used as diagnostic tools to identify strengths and areas needing improvement at the start of a new level. These tests provide insights into your child’s current level of understanding, allowing you to adjust your education plan and chosen resources as needed, focusing on areas where your child may need additional support while continuing to nurture their strengths.

2. End-of-Year Assessments

Standardized tests offer a concrete benchmark of your child’s learning and achievements throughout the year. These results can be particularly useful in the absence of traditional grading, helping to document your child’s progress for records or reporting purposes. Similar to diagnostic tests, the feedback from end-of-year assessments can inform your curriculum planning for the following year, highlighting subjects or topics that may need more attention. Fortunately, many of our popular high school curricula offer end-of-course exams tailored to that material and can be applied with great effectiveness.

From a legal perspective, note that end-of-phase assessments are stated in the Policy on Home Education. While these assessments are not yet compulsory, families registered with the DBE may be asked to provide them. We recommend generating a report on Applecore at the end of each semester for this purpose.

3. Reducing Test Anxiety

Incorporating standardized tests into your homeschool routine can help reduce test anxiety by familiarizing your child with the testing format in a low-pressure environment. This practice not only builds your child’s confidence but also develops important test-taking skills that will be beneficial for future academic or career pursuits.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Standardized Testing

In the homeschool setting, standardized tests can be invaluable tools for assessing your child’s academic progress and informing your planning and educational approach. Rather than viewing these tests with apprehension, consider how they can enhance your child’s personalized education.

Consider these well documented advantages and disadvantages:

Potential BenefitsPotential Disadvantages
Test scores are objective and help keep us accountable for our child’s outcomes.A single test is insufficient to fully capture a child’s knowledge, abilities, or value.
The same test allows for fair comparisons and can be applied by tertiary institutions for local university exemption, placement, scholarships, and credit transfer purposes.Low scores on high-stakes tests like the SAT or AP exams can prevent local USAf exemption or university admission.
They help identify where to start with a course or areas for improvement.A test score does not necessarily indicate tertiary readiness, as it excludes qualities like resilience and self-motivation.
Grading is efficient and can be done by computers.Poor test results can impact self-esteem and reduce intrinsic motivation to learn.
They encourage good and improved study habits.Standardized testing can be costly.
An upcoming test can motivate your child to study hard.Overemphasis on tests as in the British and SA systems can lead to “teaching to the test,” which may limit broader learning opportunities.
They may increase metacognitive skills and intrinsic motivation to learn.Tests can cause stress and anxiety for both parents and children.

Standardized Testing Requirements

No standardized testing is included nor expected for graduation through our partner, HomeLife Academy. Standardized testing is however applied by various tertiary institutions (both locally and internationally), and might be a requirement for your child to reach his/her tertiary goals, or add value to your child’s learning process.

While standardized testing is not required for graduation through HLA, it is often applied by various tertiary institutions, both locally and internationally. These tests may be necessary for your child to achieve their tertiary goals or add value to their learning process. Consider the tertiary application of the American High School Diploma in these geographical areas:

Commonly Applied Standardized Tests in South Africa

Under the current regulatory framework, we have access to a wide variety of standardized testing instruments. Consider:

1. Primary School
2. High School
3. Tertiary Admission

Conclusion and Next Steps

Standardized tests, when used thoughtfully, can be a valuable part of your child’s educational journey, offering clear insights into their academic progress and helping to shape a well-rounded learning experience. I encourage you to consider incorporating these assessments into your homeschool routine, whether as diagnostic tools at the start of a subject, end-of-year evaluations, or as a means to reduce test anxiety by familiarizing your child with the testing format. These tests can complement your personalized approach to education, ensuring that your child’s strengths are nurtured and areas for improvement are addressed.

As you continue to navigate your child’s educational path, keep in mind that standardized testing is just one of many tools available to you. By choosing the right tests and applying them at the appropriate times, you can enhance your child’s learning experience and better prepare them for future academic or career pursuits.

Stay tuned for our follow-up blog, where we will delve deeper into specific standardized tests such as the Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). This upcoming post will provide detailed guidance on these assessments, helping you make informed decisions on how best to incorporate them into your child’s education plan.

Supporting resources

States Have Soured on the High School Exit Exam. Here’s Why (edweek.org), viewed 16 Aug 2024

Why a high school exit exam for graduates is becoming less common (usatoday.com), viewed 20 Aug 2024

Popular AP Courses by Grade – College Board Blog

Student Standardised Testing: Current Practices in OECD Countries and a Literature Review, by OECD

“Teaching to the Test” in the NCLB Era: How Test Predictability Affects Our Understanding of Student Performance by Jennifer L. Jennings

Published by Annerine

Passionate about life!

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