|
|
|
CandleStar Educational Services provides simple, affordable educational support to families in and around the Monadnock region.
I believe that every parent is responsible before God to oversee the education of their children–and that the goal of that education should be the equipping of those children with the skills they will need in order to effectively serve God.
However, as a portfolio evaluator, my job is not to critique teaching styles, organizational skills, or educational choices. I simply evaluate whether or not I believe that a student has fulfilled the minimum educational requirements of New Hampshire state law.
|
It's "Portfolio Evaluation" time again! Please give me a call sooner rather than later. As a homeschool mom I understand that coordinating calendars can be tricky... especially if you call me at the last minute! Standard Portfolio Evaluations performed before June are still just $25.
I've had a number of folks call with questions, so I wanted to (briefly) clarify:
(1) Yes, evaluations (either portfolio or testing or "mutually agreeable") are still required by New Hampshire law.
(2) Because you don't need to turn in your evaluations, the July 1st deadline has been removed. Evaluations need to be "annual".
(3) "If I don't have to turn them in, do I really need to get an evaluation?" YES
While keeping our private records private is always a nice thing, there is a cost. When I sent my child's yearly evaluations into my local district (and got a receipt!) I had proof that I had complied with the law. If an agency received a "report" on me they could call up the Superintendent's office and get confirmation that we were all set. Under the new law, that same agency shows up at my door asking if I am in compliance. Do they have a burden of proof? Can I find my child's evaluations? I don't know, and frankly I don't want to find out. (I felt uncomfortable making this last point lest it really come off as self-serving. That is not my motivation, and it's why I stayed neutral on last year's legislation; but it is what it is. Use CandleStar, testing, or another evaluator... but get it done.)
As always, please read the law for yourself. (The rules may or may not be updated from last year's legislation… oh the slow wheels of bureaucracy!) HSLDA has a summary page as well. Of course, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.
Please note: I am still requiring a completed portfolio plan
form to be included in all high school portfolios. I've met a number of new families who are really struggling to create functional portfolios, and I'm hoping this will help.
|
|
Of course it goes without saying that I am not a lawyer.
Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice.
Please read the NH homeschool law (or at least a summary) for yourself.
I believe that parenting is a team effort and strive to maintain neutral ground in any family dispute. If you share custody of your children and their "other" parent requests a copy of their evaluation, I will supply it. I will also provide information as requested by a court appointed guardian ad litem.
Wondering if homeschooling is effective? Checkout the Homeschool Progress Report!
|
