Because writing by hand makes a difference! Years ago, Oregon’s Common Core Standards threw out the teaching of cursive writing. Currently, 41 states don’t require it. Why? Well, of course we live in the digital age. Learning cursive writing or writing an essay by hand is an antiquated practice. We need digital literacy. We don’t want to…
In my last post I presented 3 reasons why testing annually provides a direct and personal benefit to families who chose to do so. Annual achievement testing also provides a comprehensive benefit to the home school community as a whole. It’s a tool that enables us to protect ourselves and our children from government intrusion into…
Have you ever had one of “those conversations” where what starts out light and pedestrian becomes heavy, oppositional, and maybe verbally combative? There was a day when these kinds of conversations and exchanges happened only occasionally. But now they happen all the time. Achievement testing, when required to satisfy state requirements used to be one…
Here are three reasons why parents go with in-person-private testing. · Eliminates Distraction: In group settings, there is always the possibility of distraction. Someone is experiencing allergies. Someone is talking. Questions raised by students require answers. Test directions that need to be repeated or clarified. There will be differences in how long students take to complete test…
The question behind the question in the subject line is likely, “Do tests taken in Washington satisfy Oregon’s testing requirement? The two standards found in Oregon’s administrative rule 339.035 3bA state: The parent or legal guardian shall select an examination from the approved list and arrange to have the examination administered to the child by…
In my last article I discussed the legality of remote testing and how it started. Now that Covid is in the rearview mirror, many home schoolers have returned to in-person group testing. Both testing virtual and in-person platforms satisfy Oregon testing requirements. So why choose in-person testing? For one, many parents feel their children already have enough…
The short answer is “Yes!” Remote testing delivered via Zoom was born out of necessity. Back in late winter of 2020, the first case of COVID-19 showed up in Oregon. Public gatherings were limited or canceled as more cases were identified. Nevertheless, achievement testing was still required. Remote or virtual testing proved to be the…
Last fall a new AI driven app was launched. The target audience: Those who had suffered loss. Specifically, the loss of a loved one such as a parent or grandparent. The app capitalized on the universal desire to have just a little more time, another visit or two, with someone you loved. The app promised a…
Hello Home Schoolers! As a way of saying thank you for using Basic Skills as your achievement test provider, we are making available, at no cost, Marcy Cook tiling task card packets. The last day to take advantage of this offer is Friday, January 23rd. These are the same tiling packets we have used in our…
Oh, No. They told me “You should get him tested” Your child is obviously struggling at school and you want to help them, but aren’t ready for an official diagnosis. By Susan Leckband January 6, 2026 Your child is struggling, but so are you. They are obviously “not getting it” for one reason or another….