When Considering an Evaluator
- Make a list of evaluators you will consider.
- Make notes of any comments your homeschool friends give you about these evaluators.
- Contact these evaluators to arrange to meet them, or at least talk with them by phone.
Questions to ask:
- What do you want me to bring to the evaluation?
- What kind of log and samples are you expecting to see from me?
- I use unit studies (or whatever type of curriculum you do use). Are you familiar with this? Do you have any reservations about evaluating a family who uses this method/approach?
- When do you prefer to give evaluations?
- When do you want me to contact you to set a date for the evaluation?
- Where will the evaluation be held?
- How long will the evaluation last?
- How long after the evaluation will it take to get the written evaluation to me?
- What do you charge for an evaluation?
- Do you offer discounts for siblings?
- Do you see yourself as working for me, or for the school district?
- Have you ever evaluated a family for whom you were not able to certify that an appropriate education was occurring, and why? How did you handle this?
- Can you give me the name and contact information for other families that you evaluate?
- Are you willing to communicate negative comments to me verbally, without including them in the written evaluation?
- Will you give the written evaluation to me, or to my school district?
The answers to these questions should help you narrow your list down quite a bit.