k12 assessment question

[aishamama]

Hi all, 

For those with experience with k12 I was hoping you can help me out. I will use a state charter school, PA Virtual Charter School. I wanted to ask a few questions from actual parents before I make a decision. If anyone can help out, thank you so much =)

1) I was looking at the curriculum and was wondering how they test.

For example, in the K History, it's about continents and world geography. Is this to just get him familiar that this exists or would they ask him to name the continents and whatever is covered?

Also in the K Lang. Arts, the extra books are for me to read to him or for him to learn to read on his own? I know that sounds silly. He might struggle. He's a good reader but I think expecting these books are a little much for K level. 

2) If a student entering this system were to take the first assessment, what would that assessment be like? I'm not asking for the actual questions as such. If they want him to read the books in the extra curricular items it may be a problem for the intitial assessment. He has a high reading level but I saw one book was nearly 5th grade level. So...he's not that much =) and I doubt a lot of even 2nd / 3rd graders would be there. My nephew is just barely reading at first grade level while 'in' first grade.

So I'm not sure how the assessments work. Can anyone share some info with me?

3) When the Lang. Arts curriculum says, Total lessons: 180 Lesson Time: 120 minutes. Does that mean we're going to spend 2 hours every day on LA?

4) Do we have the freedom to 'start' our day at any time of the day and also to schedule his class on a Saturday for example versus a Friday? 

5) Are they going to send all of the K material before they assess him to see where he is or will they test first and then send the material? I'm wondering because it seems like it'd be kind of a waste of time to send first to find out that the child needs a bit higher?

Thank you all so much in advance.

ETA: I got the answers! YAY! Sorry for the long post. =)

Edited by aishamama - 3/4/11 at 6:09pm

[cbyrum]

Glad you got your answers :)

I have a k'er and a 1st grader so if you have any further questions about anything regarding K, 1st, or 2nd I may be able to help. Between the 2 of them we have courses ranging from K-4th grade.