Keystone State Radicals

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Comment by Robyn Chamberlain on August 22, 2012 at 3:43pm

We just moved to Mercer, PA.  I need to find an evaluater who is unschooling friendly.   Does anyone out there know of one in my area?  If so, a contact number?  Also, I am curious about testing out of the standardized testing.  I can not say that I disagree with it due to religious beliefs.  However, I do disagree with it.  Is there an alternative to this testing?  What have yall done?

Comment by BetteAnne on January 30, 2012 at 7:01pm

you are very welcome! :o)

Comment by BetteAnne on January 7, 2012 at 10:11am

here is an Unschooling evaluator~Lisa Hays (E, S)
"First and foremost, I am a mom to 9 little ones. I have been lovingly home educating for 9 years. I have been through it all as a school at homer, Cyber Schooler, eclectic and now an unschooler by heart. I am a certified teacher for K-8. I have worked with children of all ages, gender and nationalities for years and children are my passion! I truly believe that children and people grow daily, it is part of our nature. Spring 2010 is my fourth year evaluating. I am also happy to do consulting and support of burnt out moms (I have been there!). I am opposed to over-compliance and I am happy to help you learn the laws. I will travel for groups, do distance or in-person evaluations. I would be happy to work out whatever system will make your child most comfortable with the process." (added 5/07, updated 4/10)
Lisa Hays, 610-252-5533, emal02@hotmail.com, Easton, Pa 18045

Comment by Jennifer Varela on July 1, 2011 at 1:58pm

It's my daughter who is 9 :-)  We didn't do the standardized testing this year, I didn't give the sd a grade, I just said she was 8.  If they press me, I'll just tell them she wasn't in 3rd, 5th or 8th grades.  If we're still in this sd next year, we'll probably have to submit one.  I know some test require more reading than others, I think there are some where someone reads  you the questions.  I had an unschooling friend offer to "administer" the test to her, so, that's probably what we'll do.   To find unschooling friendly evaluators, ask around.  There may be some people in your area on pa-unschoolers and there is a local group of relaxed homeschoolers that I know who discuss evaluators and so I remembered the ones who had a better understanding of unschooling and would evaluate as such.  Yes, you choose your evaluator.  For the picnic, a mom from a homeschool list offered up her home and had two evaluators there.  As you came you signed in and they took you in order you got there.  While you waited, you could chat and eat and the kids played.  It was a very relaxed atmosphere.   At some point all of us were brand new to it all, we asked questions and read a lot.  Don't worry,  you'll catch on.

Comment by Renee Doerfler on July 1, 2011 at 1:14pm

oops....SD...school district...It just clicked in my brain ;)

Comment by Renee Doerfler on July 1, 2011 at 1:12pm

thank you for your responses...I feel a little better already...can I ask though, what is an SD?  Also...to Jennifer, has your son had to do standardized testing yet, and if so, how did that work since he can't yet read? You said as well, that you were going to use an unschooler friendly evaluator...how did you know who was unschooler friendly, and would you have been able to chose?  How did the picnic work? thanks again for all the help...I really have no idea how all of this works at all!!!!

Comment by Kaki on July 1, 2011 at 12:58pm

I second pa-unschoolers.  Right now they are discussing the PDE updated website.  As an unschooler you really need to know the law inside and out.  Unschooling can be done well here in PA, but at times the strict laws make it challenging.  It does depend too on  your SD.  Some are more easier to deal with than others.

Comment by Jennifer Varela on July 1, 2011 at 12:31pm

Renee, I have a 9 yr old who doesn't read yet.  This was our first year reporting (you only have to report when the child is age 8 at the beginning of the school year).  There are unschooling friendly evaluators. I was planning on using one, but, we ended up going to an evaluation picnic, which was fun.  There are many ways to write up a portfolio and show all the fun things you do through the year in an educational/academic way.  Depends on the school district on samples, some want more some less.  I don't know if you're on  the pa-unschoolers yahoo group.  It's not very unschooly, but, there is a lot of great info on there about filing and dealing with the pa homeschool law.  Oh and www.askpauline.com is a GREAT resource with samples and everything!!

Comment by Renee Doerfler on July 1, 2011 at 10:10am

I would love any help related to portfolio/evaluators in PA...I think we need to submit next year...my son is 7...I'm just getting nervous now.  I don't know where to start or how...and I'm a little worried b/c my son doesn't read yet as his learning is child lead...I'm wondering how that will be handled by the evaluator.  Admittedly, I'm worried..my critical retired teacher mother-in-law and her family are asking me questions about how the district determines if a child is being educationally neglected.  I'm mostly furious...but secretly nervous that my evaluator will be as closed minded as they are.  Upon meeting my son, anyone should see a vibrant, happy, creative child who loves learning and creating...but because he is 7 and can't read yet...they see only a problem. I'm also curious about how the mandatory standardized testing will work if he cannot read yet.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!

Comment by Jennifer Varela on May 17, 2011 at 11:06pm

me, too.  Friend me, or I'll search for you there.  :-)  (if that's OK)

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