High School Portfolio Evaluations

 In another life I taught in both private schools, public schools, and adjuncted at a local college.  Additionally, I did some educational consulting with the AP Board.  I have evaluated portfolios for over ten years.  What do I look for in high school portfolios? Does this seem exhaustive?  I hope so.  I try hard to fairly evaluate families and the work they do home-schooling.  Here goes.

Science: Did the family use a textbook?  Did they complete at least 2/3 of the textbook?  Did the family assign tests?  What does the family do in lieu of tests?   Every family addresses tests differently: some do every test from the publisher.  Other families do not test at all.  Advise the families to administer four to six tests annually.  Research projects are fine as alternative assessments. Does the family do labs?  My advice is to do at least one lab or experiment for each chapter or module.  Encourage the family to set a goal of twelve labs minimum.  My own Co-op, science classes do four formal lab reports; additionally, we collect and analyze data in a spreadsheet for other labs.  Sometimes the kids build models as part of a lab. My Co-op has regular lab assessments—but only four, formal lab reports.  Has the family considered participating in a science fair?  Do they do big projects?  

English: High school English courses include Composition, American Literature, English Literature, and World Literature. Ideally, students complete four courses.  Literature courses assign both paragraphs, letters, and essays.  Some programs require a research project or literary analysis.  The number of books assigned varies enormously.  A minimum of four books is fine, especially if the class includes a number of short stories, poems, and fables. Four essays are also reasonable minimums for literature courses.   Does the course have a syllabus?  Did the family complete 2/3 of the syllabus?  I use Stobaugh for literature classes I teach because I like the reading lists.  However, I used a syllabus from Kolbe with an individual teen I home-schooled.  The programs were very different.  Be sure to look at the syllabus as you evaluate the course.

History: High school History includes World History, American History, European History, Civics, and Government.   History courses vary as much as do different literature courses.  I used middle school, History textbooks in high school for two years, with the teen I home-schooled.  She was a reluctant reader and responded better to the middle school series.  I used the Catholic Textbook Project’s Light to the Nations I and II. Did the family complete at least 2/3 of the textbook?  How was material tested?  You will see a great deal of variety.  Does the History program have Geography?  Happily, most families use a textbook.  I think every teen should take Civics and Government. They should understand the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and how a bill becomes a law.  

Math: At the high school level, math includes Algebra I and II, Geometry, Precalculus, Statistics, and Calculus. Ideally, kids take four years of math.  Our Co-op offers a Consumer Math for teens who have completed Algebra I and Geometry.  (We have some kids who just can’t tackle Algebra II.) Because our Consumer Math class has so many practical topics, many families enroll their kids as an elective.  Again, did the family complete 2/3 of the textbook?  Do they test every chapter or module?  Is testing quarterly or by semester? Are there any cumulative tests?  My husband, Rob, teaches math for the Co-op.  He tests every chapter, but seldom assigns quizzes.  The kids do lessons, practice, finish the study guide, and test. I work off Rob’s model when I evaluate.  Most families test regularly in math.

Languages:  Many teens take a language: Latin, French, German, or Spanish.  Did the teen complete 2/3 of the course?  Was the program graded?  How often?  Was the focus on vocabulary or grammar?  I learned the hard way some online schools evaluate foreign language credit based on an independent assessment.  I looked over the assessment; it was entirely grammar!  I spent six frantic weeks scrambling to cram in enough grammar for three of the  students to earn enough points to get credit for French I.   In another case, a friend’s son has been working with me once a week for the last three years to learn Latin.  We are still working in Henle’s Latin I book.  Here, we are studying Latin; we may or may not finish two years by the time he completes high school.

Electives: I usually mention electives in my evaluations.  However, the local school board may disregard them.  Electives may or may not be graded.  If you add electives, be sure to include private art or music lessons, Driver’s Ed, First-Aid/ CPR certification, Dave Ramsay’s course, job shadowing, or Civil Air Patrol or Rescue Squad qualifications.  

Portfolio Evaluations

 Every year, I do a bunch of portfolio evaluations.  I just banged out a bunch.  I have permanent certification in West Virginia; my master’s degree allows me to evaluate portfolios in Virginia, despite the expiration of my Virginia certification.  I have a few tips for those of you doing portfolio evaluations.

1. Include your resume and certifications with the evaluation letter.  I attained National Board Certification  in Chemistry, too. All of my certificates and my resume goes in the packet (or attached digitally) to the local school boarde.  Why?  I want to ensure the bloated recognizes that I’m qualified to evaluate portfolios.

2.  First, consider the law.  In Virginia, the Home Educators Association in Virginia ( HEAV) have this guidance for Virginia evaluators.  The Christian Home Educators of West Virginia (CHEWV) have these guidelines.  The law varies by state.  Be sure to research your state’s rulings.  Check the deadlines, too!

3. What should be in the portfolio?  If this is your first year, arrange a meeting with the family.  Encourage the family to create a digital portfolio.  Review the curriculum.  I work with families enrolled in online school who use a defined curriculum.  Some families have created their own curriculum.  Be sure to look all of the textbooks, workbooks, and syllabi, if available.  Ask about a reading log.  I encourage every family to keep a reading log.  Next, look at work samples for every, core subject: Math, Science, Reading, Hand-writing, Spelling, Vocabulary, History, and Geography.  Some families may have Phonics, Composition, Latin, etc.  Request work samples.  Look over grades quizzes and tests.  Teaching Textbook and Rosetta Stone  provide grade summaries.  Make note of the averages.  Read any essays, too.  I try not to put too many details into the letter for the school board.  But these details are useful.

4. Write two letters: one for the school board and one for the family.  I like to make suggestions for the family.  I’m looking to see whether the family is teaching the core subjects: Math, English, History, and Science.  I want to learn if the family teaches for two-three hours (minimum) each day with a period set aside for daily reading.  Are there several work samples for each course?  Does science include labs?  Are there formal quizzes and tests?  Is the child working on grade level?  Does the family home-school from September until May?  If the family schools year-round, are they teaching around 30-32 weeks of the year?  Tailor suggestions to the family.  For example, an elementary aged student may not do any science; I recommend doing one weekly experiment of lab.  I also recommend Apologia Young Explorers and Apologia Science for Middle School and High School grades.

5.  Make a list of specific suggestions or challenges for the family.  Does the family take field trips?  Suggest local, free sites, such as the Marine Corps Museum or battlefield sites. I recommend summer, enrichment camps or seminars.  Do a multi-sport camp, join Mathnasium for two weeks, take part in a summer reading program at the library.  Encourage the family to report any extras in their portfolio.

6. What if the child has special needs?  All bets are off.  I’m working with several families who have children with special needs.  In one case, the child has a host of medical issues, too.  What is the family doing to help the child to continue to progress and develop?  Doe the child have therapies, such as speech, occupational therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy, music therapy?  What activities does the child do as a result?  Is she chalking outside to learn the motions to write?  Is she learning sign language to communicate?  The more profound the learning differences, the more important it is to understand what the family is doing to help their child grow.  In other cases, especially for elementary-aged students with learning differences, the family may spend most of their time working on math and reading.  History and Science take a back seat while they work on getting the child up to speed in reading.  I work with several families in that position.  I agree wholeheartedly that reading and math must take precedent over everything else.  I still recommend some History, Geography, and Science. Reading logs may include books read as a family and audio books—not just those books read independently.

7. Here is a generic portfolio review for a family.  Here is a basic letter.  My suggestions vary; each family’s situation is different.  I do recommend reading a book each week and writing a book report.  I read about this suggestion in Dr. Mary Kay Clark’s book, Catholic Homeschooling.  She explains that this is an insurance policy for a bad week.  I agree!  Are there any gaps?  Are high school, science classes lab based?  Does English include reading, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, phonics, and composition?  Be aware that by high school, kids may be taking harder courses, such as British Literature, which include reading several books and writing several essays.  I do look for four, formal lab reports for each science classes, as a minimum.  I think a literature class should include at least four novels and essays.  Only four as a minimum?  I just spent a school year dragging my composition class through four novels and essays.  All but one child has learning differences.  Let me tell you, it took a Herculean effort to just finish four books.  (Yes, we did a bunch of different writing exercises.) Hopefully, this will help you craft an evaluation.

Science kit

 Good Will has a listing for an e-Science kit—full of basic equipment.  This is the type of listing in which a must remind myself that I already have all of this equipment and don’t need more for my Co-op classes.  Be sure to check the shipping costs before you bid.

Advanced Biology Summer Assignment

 I decided to make Infectious Diseases my summer assignment.  Teens have free choice: brochure, infographic, slide deck, poster, etc.  We’re skipping COVID.  I’m still tired of the topic.  I’ve already advised the parents to screen STD topics.  I have had a few kids ask for a disease unaware it was an STD; I don’t want anyone to be  embarrassed.  I do NOT teach about sexuality in my classes.  This is a family topic.  Period.

Fake Blood Test Kit

My Bio class tests blood types.  The Eldon cards are about $10 each.  Before we do the expensive blood types, we practice with simulated tests.  There are DIY simulated blood labs; however, I am fundamentally lazy.   Just buy kits.  My favorite is Innovating Science’s kit.  Good Will has one listed.  Watch the shipping!

DIY Gel Electrophoresis

 Yes, I do realize this is an esoteric topic.  If you teach AP Biology, you probably want to include DNA  gel electrophoresis.  (BTW if I were teaching AP Biology, I would contact the local colleges to see if my class could just tour a lab with someone else modeling gel electrophoresis.  In fact, that’s how I have experienced the lab.  I’m not personally comfortable with the lab. You might just do a Virtual Gel Electrophoresis lab.) Let’s say you are more ambitious and more intrepid than I am.  There are 3D printed, DIY plans: the Thingiverse’s DNA Gel Electrophoresis, Gel Tray, and Comb, Yeggi’s 3D models, Reddit’s Jello 3D System, and this Instructables DIY kit.  The Instructables version doesn’t require a 3D printed box.  You could modify the plans and print the box: however, some sites indicate the heat necessary for the DNA runs can warp a 3D printed box.  

What skills should a child know?

 I’m in the middle of portfolio season—evaluating portfolios for home-school families.  One aspect I’ve  had to consider long and hard is what does a child need to know, what skills, and at what age.  When I taught in private and public schools, I mainly taught Chemistry, with some Biology and Physical Science.  What do you use for standards?  Common Core? State Standards?  For the most part, at least in the sciences, teachers agree on the topics.  The topics, modules, or chapters are similar across different science textbooks.  But what about other subjects, like math?  Too often individuals drive change on a national level.  I’m not sure all the changes are good.   What should you do?  Let’s take a common sense approach.  I’ve been looking for skill based checklists.  I found a few.  Once you go down this rabbit hole, you’ll once again appreciate the value of a good, home-school curriculum.

1. Early Math Skills Check List looks good for early grades, kiddos 4-7, probably intended for kids 5-6. (We all know children develop at different rates.)  Here is an intermediate math skills check list, which looks appropriate for students 8-11, likely intended for kids 8-9. 

2. Scroll down to the Math paragraph here for skill-based, math checklists for K-5, based on Common Core Standards.  (I think the standards are fine; I’m not wild about how the standards have been implemented.) 

3. The American River Charter School’s “I Can” statements are checklists for core subjects: math, science, social studies, and language arts, for grades K-8. Take a look at these lists, which all seem reasonable.  

4. New York State has maintained high standards.  Look at this  English checklist, organized by a NY educator.

5. Home School Den has a History Checklist.  Believe me, Social Studies is a rat’s nest, which varies enormously by state. Although many districts focus on state history in fourth or fifth grades.   Often some sociology and geography is tossed into Social Studies.

 6.  National Geographic’s Geography Skills Handbook has a good outline for the overall scope of geography, based on National Geography Standards, based on teacher consensus.  (I recommend Evan-Moor’s Daily Geography Workbooks, which have a host of map skills.)

7. I’ve found Khan Academy to be reliable.  

Postponed….

 I’ve had any number of conflicts and obstacles recently.  Camp is postponed until July.  I’m getting ready for VBS next.  

Last of the samples for Camp…

Sofia helped make a bunch of samples for Science Camp, including the Paper Skeleton.  The leaf print on the cork coaster was a fail.  The cloud in a jar is still not producing any clouds.  I spent the morning running up and down stairs collecting materials and washing brushes.  Sofia is going to be an enormous help next week!  Take a look. 

Why should I do Science Camp?

 Science Camp is a colossal amount of work.  Why do it?  My home-school friend, Jenn, asked me to host Camp.  I started Camp years ago at our church is West Virginia.  Home-school friends asked me to create a Camp.  I had created and offered science camps at prep schools where I taught.  The families were wealthy; I came up with a bunch of fun activities for kids.  I had camp experience.  Our pastor gave me permission to host Camp right after VBS.  I held book and toy sales to defray the costs.  Camp was open to any interested child, about half of the kids were home-schooled.  We usually had about 40 kids and a dozen teens and adult helpers.  One faithful family cleaned the social hall after VBS and Science Camp.  

Right now, our camp is much more limited.  I’m hosting eight to twelve kiddos in my basement.  I’m just absorbing the costs; I have many supplies already on hand.  Your Co-op might want to start small anyway.  Plan with two or three moms.  See what supplies  you have on hand.  Save bottles, yogurt cups, and jars.  I’m confident we’ll finish over two-dozen fun activities.  That’s a tremendous amount of science in a short period of time.  You can build on the science themes you select.  If you pick nature, study the birds attracted to your bird feeders.  Print a Check list.  Make it a project.  Study Clouds.  Do an Anatomy Project.  Get inspired to locate more edible, science labs.  In any case, Science Camp packs a ton of fun activities into a few days.

Getting organized for Science Camp…

 I’m at the stage where I’m looking for little extra goodies to do.  We aren’t strict.  I found a random Bunchem toy; plants hitch a ride on animal fur.  (No family wants a Bunchem kit; somehow they wind up in hair.). Some of our activities involve painting or chalking bodies outside.  Yes, we’ll have bingo at least once and sing camp songs, too.  I’m finally at the stage where I can sort into stacks of boxes and might have two weeks of activities.  Take a look. The top photo is the samples ready for Sofia tomorrow.

More Science Camp Samples

 We’re in the middle of making samples for Camp.  My helper, Sofia, is returning on Thursday, too.

We made diy stickers from clip art using the mini thermal printer.

Sofia added a few to the rain stick. BTW rice and aluminum foil and rice worked better than toothpicks and beans.  

We struggled with the Solar prints.  Sofia’s worked much better than mine.  I think the Temu print paper is the problem.

Sofia made a quick Cheerio bird feeder.  She took another home to test to see of birds really like Cheerios.

Finally, she tried pounding cork with leaves to make patterns.  This just left a mess.  Sofia’s mom, Jenn, suggested we paint leaves and make prints instead.  We’ll try that Thursday.  Now I need to find the paint.

 

Portfolio Season

 I’m kicking off portfolio season.  I’ve been on both sides, submitting and evaluating bodies of work.  I can relate to the work and stress associated portfolios.   Let me share a few tips.  At the bottom are samples from portfolios I’ve submitted.  

1.  Take loads of photos.  It helps that I keep a blog.  Everything science related goes into the blog.  Provide enough samples that the evaluator is confident your family is learning enough about the subject, such as science.  Organize your photos into a folder rather than having to scroll through 1000 other pix.

2. Take photos of work completed.  I like to take images of kids actually doing the labs, quizzes, tests, and projects.  Yes, it’s only natural to want to collect the child’s best work, not his sixth attempt to memorize his multiplication tables.  Keep these in the same digital folder with the activity pix.

3.  Consider organizing the photos into slide decks.  I organize portfolios into sections in a slide deck.   I find the format each to edit.  I like to have a title and photo of the books at the beginning of each section.  Make it easy for the evaluator to see a wide variety of assignments.  Be sure they are graded.  Ideally, provide an answer key and scoring rubric; tests from publishers are fine.  Add notes with the photos.  What is going well?  What needs more work? Did your child complete 75% of the material in the curriculum?  

4.  Include family projects.  Often projects fall under a category called Project Based Learning (PBL).  Mention the skills involved, such as measuring the number of hours of sunshine for a raised bed or researching the types of greens best for a flock of chickens.  What were lessons learned?