The first day of testing yesterday was an interesting experience. We're testing through the school district, which is an option available to us. There are over 700 homeschoolers in our district; most choose other testing options.
Does 700 homeschoolers in a county of 50,000 seem like a lot? I don't know, honestly. I would guess that there are a good percentage of hsers that are German Baptists, homeschooling under the VA religious exemption.
In Colorado Springs, surely the hsing capital of this country, haha, we tested with our co-op. One grade would typically fill up several classrooms for testing, 15-20 kids per classroom. In Trevor's fourth grade test yesterday, there were three children.
When I confirmed what time I should pick him up, the teacher asked, "Well, can he read?" I thought that was an odd question for a fourth grader. Most fourth graders can read, and if I had a fourth grader that couldn't, I certainly wouldn't be testing through the public school. (Or I'd test him as a third grader, or I'd choose any of a variety of different options.) Anyway, since he could read well, he would be done testing sooner and I should come back earlier. While he waited for us, he spent time drawing. The teacher was impressed enough to ask if she could share his cartoon with another teacher, lol.
Trevor plays while we snack after his test and before Holly'sI had a chance to chat with two other moms who were also there. They are new hsers , recently withdrawing their children from ps, and expressed concern about their ability to teach their younger children to read. I can so remember feeling that way, thinking that I would at least send Trevor to kindergarten and first grade so someone would teach him to read. (Conveniently, he taught himself when he was four.) It was weird to be treated like some sort of expert. Anyone who homeschools knows that it doesn't matter how long you do it, or how well, but you might just figure out what may work (or may not!) for your own family, your own kids.
Holly's seventh grade group had four kids. She thinks most of the boys were German Baptists, which surprised me. Not all German Baptists homeschool, but those that do could find relief under the religious exemption--which also exempts them from required testing.
Because of their dress and lifestyle, I tend to think of German Baptists as old fashioned, but I'm finding that's not really true. We have three German Baptist families on our street. Last month, one was telling me how she was speeding down the highway and spotted "a police dude." Two weeks ago, I turned onto my street, and there was another neighbor riding her lawn mower in her long dress and headcovering. No, that didn't surprise me. But she was stopped, idling, and chatting on her cell phone.
You can bet I didn't dare take out my camera. But I wanted to.
Testing continues for a few days next week.
Holly and Pumpkin enjoy our literature selection.
Trevor usually fiddles while I read.
Proof that I will post unflattering pictures of myself--
Pumpkin is amazed to see Holly at home.
Unusual 'do, but I could listen to his voice all day.
