Checking in on Your Child’s Learning Progress

As students, parents, and teachers struggle with continued school disruptions, they’re also grappling with this question: What did students not learn during the pandemic? Learning loss is real. The chaos in K-12 education over the past couple years, combined with the psychological and emotional toll wrought by the pandemic, left students across the country vulnerable to starting the school year behind where they need to be. To help, we’ve rounded up learning assessments families can use. 

Parents can use a variety of assessment tools to check in on their children’s learning progress. 

How can parents assess whether their students are learning at grade level? There are a variety of free online assessments that parents can use to gauge their children’s learning progress and readiness. In addition, parents can pay for their child to take a nationally norm-referenced assessment test, such as the Stanford Ten (in online form) or the Terranova 2 (in booklet form.

Check the tabs below for free learning progress assessment resources. We’ve also rounded up free at-home learning resources for families and tips for choosing a school!

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Khan Academy’s Official SAT Prep

For students wanting to better understand their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the PSAT or SAT, Khan Academy’s diagnostic test can be a big help. After the initial assessment, the resource will create a free, personalized practice plan to help students improve on concepts they found challenging.

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Education Planner’s Learning Style Quiz

The Education Planner’s Learning Style Quiz is a short, 20 question quiz designed to help students understand their learning style and how it influences the way they understand information and solve problems.

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A2Z Homeschooling Math Level Assessments

A2Z Homeschooling offers a round-up with more than a dozen free math assessment tools. The post also features tips and additional ideas for informally evaluating your child’s math skills.

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K5 Learning Assessment Round-Up

K5 Learning is in the process of developing some math diagnostic tools for families. In the meantime, they’ve rounded up publicly released end-of-the-year tests from various states spanning grades 1-5. Even if your state isn’t on the list, you can use a test in your child’s grade level to assess their understanding of math concepts.

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Math Mammoth Assessment Tests

Math Mammoth offers free math assessment tests, as well as math curriculum, for grades 1-7. Even if you don’t plan to use the Math Mammoth curriculum, you can use the assessment test to gain an understanding of your child’s placement and general understanding of mathematical concepts.

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National Institute for Direct Instruction’s Resources

The National Institute for Direct Instruction offers placement testing that can help you gain a general understanding of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Separate tests are available for reading, math, and writing.

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Varsity Tutors’ Math Assessments (Grades K-12)

Varsity Tutors offers free assessments for a wide variety of grades and topics, including K-8 math, Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, and more. While the assessments are designed to create a personalized learning plan for use with Varsity Tutor’s materials, they can be helpful as standalone assessments as well.

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A2Z Homeschooling Reading Level Assessment Tools

A2Z Homeschooling offers a round-up with more than half a dozen free reading assessment tools. The post also features tips and additional reading ideas for understanding your child’s reading level.

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K5 Learning Assessment Roundup

K5 Learning is in the process of developing some reading diagnostic tools for families. In the meantime, they’ve rounded up publicly released end-of-the-year tests from various states spanning grades 1-5. Even if your state isn’t on the list, you can use a test in your child’s grade level to assess their reading skills.

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National Institute for Direct Instruction

The National Institute for Direct Instruction offers placement testing that can help you gain a general understanding of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Separate tests are available for reading, math, and writing.

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Varsity Tutors’ English Assessments (Grades K-8)

Varsity Tutors offers free assessments for a wide variety of grades and topics, including K-8 English. While the assessments are designed to create a personalized learning plan for use with Varsity Tutor’s materials, they can be helpful as standalone assessments as well.

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Quill Diagnostic

Quill Diagnostic offers a grammar-focused assessment. The test covers sentence construction skills and can help reveal a student’s writing skills, as well as areas to practice.

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