Posted by Diana on May 17 2008 at 08:02:16:
In Reply to: Question re reporting @ age 8 or 3rd grade posted by Melissa on May 16 2008 at 21:18:56:
I struggled with this question last school year because my daughter was not yet under affidavit, but was doing third grade work.
After reading and rereading the law, plus eliciting opinions from various sources, I decided that the law is very vague on this. Some who interpret the law literally will say that if your child is beyond third grade by the time an affidavit and portfolio are required, then no testing need be done at all till fifth grade.
I have observed other opinions which say that although the law requires testing in third grade, the law doesnīt specifically require you to assign a grade, so if you do not assign any grade level, ever, then you donīt even have to do any testing.
Personally, I just cannot make that leap.
It was also suggested to me to have her tested in third grade, but not to include the test results in this yearīs portfolio; just have them on hand in case the school district inquires about it.
The law is poorly written in this regard, but I think the intent is obvious, and I chose to go by the intent. I had my daughter tested by third grade standards last year and held onto the test results to include with the portfolio at the end of this year, which I have designated as her fourth grade year. Some may say thatīs over-compliance, but I donīt really care.
I guess it just depends on your comfort zone. As with the definition of "log," interpretation of other aspects of the law are very subjective.
As far as the question of doing an affidavit and portfolio before itīs legally required just to include test results: as long as your child was not previously in public school, you do not have to submit an affidavit or portfolio before she turns eight, no matter how advanced her work is and regardless of whether you have her tested now.
Clear as mud? I hope this helps, but I really am learning that there may be as many interpretations of our lovely law out there as there are homeschoolers. Your best bet is to go over the law yourself and interpret it in the way that is most comfortable to you.
Best wishes on your journey.
Diana