SMART Testing Associates are still testing in May, June, July, and the rest of 2020. SMART has been here for you and your family since 2006 and will continue to be available for you in the future.

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Hopefully, most homeschool families in NC have their student-tested once a calendar year because they are interested in the academic progress of their student. A crisis or a temporary waiver in the NC State law will not change the services that Smoky Mountain Academic Services and Training (SMART) provides for families.  Testing services provide valuable feedback on a student’s academic progress. The testing services that SMART Testing Associates offer go way beyond the basic testing requirements from the state of NC. As one parent said to me recently, “I can’t miss testing each year, it (testing) offers such targeted learning for me so I know how to go forward”.

 

SMART will continue to offer premium one-on-one testing to homeschool families. We know the immediate test scores and consultation offers families specific and targeted learning opportunities. We are often told by parents that the individual feedback and a path to move forward is just what they need to help their student to continue to grow academically.

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The info that you shared with me during Eli’s evaluation has had an enormous impact on his learning and on our relationship, btw.  Thank you so so much! – L

 

Thank you so much for your testing service. Last year was such a blur for our family. Using your testing service and your encouragement, gave me the boost we needed to keep homeschooling. Many blessings to you and your family.

 

I have enrolled C in the Duke TIP program. He will be taking the ACT in February. I have been able to focus my work with L better and have been able to meet her needs as a kinesthetic learner and that has lessened my frustration with teaching her. Your testing really made a difference in our day to day lives this year. 

 

 I (Glenna Toney) test in many states that never require testing for homeschool families by law, however, the parents consider testing results as important and needed input to the homeschool experience each year.

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SMART has been receiving calls from parents who have never homeschooled before because their children have attended a traditional public or private school.  These parents are concerned about the state of their children’s education and academic performance.  It is obvious that in most cases, schools will be promoting students to the next grade.  However, many parents have questioned if their students are prepared academically for the next grade after the way school has been handled since mid-March. I encourage parents to consider all of the reasons for annual achievement testing and the numerous benefits. 

 

Why do we test?

• to fulfill NC law (only one reason)

• check and balance in the progression and academic growth of our student

• learn information about the student and how to help him/her improve

• to find out what information the student has retained in their long-term memory without prompting or examples

• help prepare for college entrance exams

• get a good snapshot of the student’s academic abilities

Testing may seem overwhelming and scary, but I promise it doesn't have to be! Having a regular assessment completed by your child simply shows their educational growth and can be an encouragement to you while you're in the midst of the homeschooling "weeds."

And don't forget ... you're actually assessing your children every day whether you're checking a math test or watching them interact at the store. Testing builds on that; it's just a little more formal. So, no need to worry!

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Thank you, Glenna for spending time with us yesterday. I asked the kids when I got in the car, “Who enjoyed doing their test?” They all chimed in, “I did!” 

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SMART will hold your registration and credit until we are able to reschedule (even until July 2021 if necessary, but we hope not).

 

Glenna Toney recorded the following PowerPoint Presentation on Zoom recently.    The presentation is also posted on smarttesting.net, click on the group test tab and click on the presentation or click on Video Presentations at the bottom of any page. 

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Please share with other families, traditional homeschool families, and recent homeschoolers (ie, private and public-school families) about this Presentation and that SMART Testing is scheduling test for spring, summer, and fall of 2020.  

Please share your thoughts (smarttesting.net) under comments.

 

“We have the test scores, now what?”

You have completed your Annual Testing and now you have the scores.  Other than filing the scores away, how can you use your test scores to help upgrade and improve your homeschooling experience? 

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Glenna Toney will review testing patterns/scores and discuss how to use the information in the best interest of your child and homeschool.

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Topics will include possible learning disabilities or difficulties such as dyslexia, processing disorders, retrieval issues, Asperger’s, autism, “sight-readers”, “word callers”, slow learners, advanced and fast learners and how to address learning discrepancies that can impact students. 

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Glenna also plans to cover other topics such as using test scores to help prepare for college entrance exams, identify learning styles, identify right and left-brain processors, address processing speed concerns.

 

https://zoom.us/rec/share/4cxEDLO31nxJTbPw2R3ER6UEGabAeaa80CNP-vFbz05fCvn4ZDy67xdlu3OXZ3fY (Access Password: Q2*3D5=0)