Colorado Homeschool Evaluations
Our homeschool statute requires that all home educated children have their academic progress assessed every other year, in the odd grade levels. Instead of giving them a nationally standardized achievement test, our statute gives us a wonderful alternative: Evaluations.
The Evaluation must be done sometime during 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th grades. There is no particular month you have to do it in. Your school district might tell you the evaluation results have to be submitted at the end of the school year or just before the next one begins. They may tell you they have a legal right to require such a thing. They do not. If the district insists, ask them [nicely] to show you exactly where it says that in the Colorado Home School Statute. What section? What paragraph? Nothing against them, they’re usually good folks who mean well, but they’re not trained to understand our homeschool law. Most haven’t even read it. Many don’t even know we have a separate law just for us. They only know what they’ve been told. So educate them, but gently.
Please remember that grade level has absolutely nothing to do with the student’s age. YOU are the decision-maker as to what grade your homeschooled child is in. The Colorado Homeschool Law In A Nutshell explains why in detail.
It’s a miracle curiosity survives formal education.
— Albert Einstein
Colorado Homeschool Evaluators
West River Academy
Statewide
My personal favorite. Peggy Webb is the owner of WRA, an accredited K-12 private school for homeschoolers. She unschooled her own three daughters and has been doing unschooling and homeschooling evaluations for over 28 years. Her decades of experience has given her the expertise to understand and deal with a wide spectrum of homeschool situations; students who use a structured curricula, kids who are free-range and unschooly, ones with unique learning styles, those in special situations such as parents in the military, who live overseas, families who travel and world school, or are actors/dancers/writers/photographers/gymnasts/Olympic hopefuls, etc. Evaluations are done by email. To get a $10 discount on an evaluation, call (949) 4 five six-8753 or email WRA and mention you were referred by RMEC.
Kiki Chanders
Boulder County
Kiki, a former public school teacher, never enrolled her own kids in public school. Instead she decided homeschooling was the best option, and has used an eclectic mix of homeschooling and unschooling for 15+ years, to accommodate their dyslexia. She has a Master’s Degree in Education from CU, along with a certified Colorado teacher’s license. She’s been doing evaluations for 12+ years. Currently, she prefers doing them via Zoom. Email her to set up a time.
Elaine Kist
Statewide
Elaine is a former homeschooler, previous public and charter school teacher, with endorsements in Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL), plus a Masters in Education. She lives in Fairplay and prefers doing evaluations in-person, but if you’re not within driving distance, Skype or postal mail will work. Call (719) eight three nine-5817 or email her. “Mention “RMEC” and you get a $10 discount!
Cheryl Kasson
Denver Metro and Front Range
Cheryl is both a Ph.D and veteran unschooler. She’s been performing evaluations for over 20 years and is very familiar with the wide and wonderful range of learning styles kids have. She does evaluations via Skype, Zoom, telephone or in-person. Call (303) nine nine five-2149 or email her a week in advance to set an appointment.
Colorado Homeschool Evaluation Service
Canon City and Southern Colorado
Veteran homeschooler Judy Van Acker has been conducting evaluations since 1992. She’s a librarian by trade and has a valid Colorado Teaching Certificate. She does her evaluations by postal mail or email. Visit her site or contact her by email.
Lynne Wolford
Grand Junction and Western Slope
Lynne pulled her autistic teen out of public school in order to unschool and give her child a better education involving real life, raising chickens and interacting with as many people as possible. She holds a BS from the University of Dayton and a Masters in Education from Xavier University. Lynne likes to begin her evaluations with a personal phone call and then see what method of communication works best for both parties. 970-two one six-0326.
Colorado Homeschooling
Woodland Park
Operated by Amanda Bench, a former public school teacher turned full-time homeschooling mom of two crazy, sweet, funny boys. She is also a Colorado Professionally Licensed Educator with a Master’s Degree in Education. Amanda has also taught English as a 2nd language.
Rosanna Lindeman
Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Superior, Golden, Lakewood, Denver, Wheat Ridge, Applewood
Rosanna has been a Colorado licensed educator for 22+ years. Previously she’s taught in Jefferson County, Adams 12, Denver and has been a home educator for her 3 children for 12 years. Currently, she’s a tutor of dyslexic learners of all ages in Arvada. Email her or call (303) eight seven seven-9682.
Note: I only list Colorado Evaluators who are also unschoolers themselves, or have experience dealing with homeschooling or unschooling families. If that describes you and you would like to be added to this list drop me an email.