Giveaway Closed Congratulations to April L. and Abby S. Winners will be contacted via email.
How is it possible that it is already the last week of February? It’s time for my annual Homeschool Assessment Giveaway. I will be giving away two assessments this year to two different entrants. If you’d like to have a chance to win one of them, please email me at schoolmarmohio@me.com and write Giveaway in the subject line. For an extra entry, refer a friend and have them tell me of your referral. Each referral is an extra entry for you.
The Giveaway begins today and will end on Sunday, March 3 at midnight. I will announce the winner here as well as notify you by email if you win. Those who won last year will not be eligible to participate this year.
As of the 2023-2024 school year, homeschool families are no longer required by law to submit any type of assessment to the superintendent to continue to homeschooling. Having been an assessor for 25 years, I will continue to offer this service if you would like to have me review your student’s work. Since this is now optional, I am in the unique position to offer other additional services which I have not had the time for in the past. I am very excited to be offering help, homeschool coaching, and consulting. Do you need help with scheduling; choosing curricula; need some guidance with high school? Think of me as a resource where I can help you. I am not limited to just Ohio homeschoolers, but can help any homeschool family.
Here is a brief description of some of the services I am offering via Zoom or email, whichever you prefer. You can sign up for a single 30 minute time slot or back-to-back appointments if you need more time for any of my educational services. The fee is $45.00 (for 30 minute time slot) and can be paid electronically or via personal check prior to or at the time of service. To schedule, go to: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio Please tell me what service in the notes you would like when you sign up.
Homeschool Assessments- I will continue to offer homeschool assessments as I have since 1999. The prices are listed on the scheduling app.
Getting Started- So, you are going to homeschool. Congratulations! Now, where do you begin? I’ll be happy to help. We will discuss the age of your student, paperwork you need to submit, writing a cover letter to the superintendent, and any general homeschool questions you have.
Scheduling- How do I set up a school day with my student? I’ll be glad to help you determine what would work best for your own homeschool and family dynamics.
Choosing Curricula- There are so many options from which to choose that it can be overwhelming. I’m here to help you narrow the field and lead you towards what would help your student(s) thrive.
Coaching- We will discuss questions you have and look for ways to make your school year successful. You can sign up for as many times as you wish. It can be one time; once a semester; weekly, or something else.
Homeschooling High School- It’s not as difficult as it may seem! I have graduated both of my sons and have helped many families with course choices, issuing credits. creating transcripts, etc.
Consulting- Do you just want to make sure you are on the right track and not missing anything? Do you have a child who is struggling? Other questions you’d like help with in your schooling? We can discuss whatever concerns you have.
Have a great week! Feel free to send me a message if you have questions.
I apologize that I have not been posting to my blog. But, I have had not one, but two knee surgeries this year. So, my time has been taken up with more attention to my knee than I ever wanted to do. What about you? I hope your school year has been filled with lots of days filled with learning and discovery of who your child(ren) is both as student and your precious gift.
You may know that beginning this academic school year (2023-24) that you are no longer required to submit an assessment to the superintendent. I have been asked what I think about this since I have been an assessor for over 20 years. Here are my thoughts after many months of consideration. I think it is wise to continue to have an assessment for your student. Why you ask?
1. It’s all on you- You are now solely responsible for the documentation of your child’s work. In the past, I have maintained student’s academic samples for two years in the event that someone would question whether you, as the homeschool teacher, provided an education for your child. and that they made progress in accordance with their abilities
2. Evaluating the school year- I believe it is wise to evaluate the progress that your child has made the past year. It’s going to be very easy to close the books and just order the next year’s curricula. But, looking back and evaluating what worked, what has been mastered, and what needs to be studied next year is important.
3. Spotting learning issues- As a teacher, I can spot difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, trouble in writing, etc. I can help you to investigate getting further diagnostic avenues should you wish to pursue that for your student.
4. Receiving encouragement- I hope and pray above all , that I as an assessor, would encourage you. My wish is to let you know all the great things you have done for your student. You work hard and so does your student. I want to be your homeschool’s biggest supporter and cheerleader.
So, if you would like to have me review your student(s)’s work, I am available any time. You can schedule your assessment at: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio I will send you an email with a Google Drive link to upload your student’s academic samples.
I haveexciting news to share with you next week as I am adding to my homeschool business.
I wanted to give you an update on the annual assessment that is required for homeschool families to continue educating their children for the subsequent year. On March 21, 2021, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 67 into law. This bill is an an extension of the annual assessment waiver that was enacted as an emergency measure for the 2019-20 school year.
HB67 requires the ODE to seek federal waivers on the assessments that are federally required for these students. To extend assessment waivers to all students, the legislators have included a section to waive the academic assessment report for home educated students this year. This means that the academic assessment report will not be required when notifying for the 2021-2022 school year. They have also included language waiving the assessment requirement for Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship students. You can read the bill for yourself. HB67
While you do not need to do an assessment, I would suggest you continue to have your child assessed (a portfolio review or testing). There are some very valid reasons to do this and instead of me parroting what I feel are good points to do so, I suggest you read the Ohio Homeschooling Parents blog page. CLICK HERE
I appreciate all of you who have scheduled your review with me at this point. I will continue to do assessments for those who would like to have me review your child’s work. If you decide to cancel, please delete your appointment. It will notify me and you won’t have to do anything further. If I do not get the opportunity to see you this year, have a great school year and I will see you next year.
Today is the last day to enter the annual portfolio review giveaway. CLICK HERE TO ENTER
Two families will be chosen to receive a free portfolio review. (Each one is a $40.00 value) Feel free to share this post with other families who need a review. I would love to see them win.
I will announce the winners on Tuesday, February 23. So be sure to check back and see if you have won.
Schoolmarm Ohio 