Without tests how do I know what my child is retaining?

Sonlight®was designed from the ground up to capitalize on the efficient, tutorial environment of the home.

We at Sonlight want your children to learn, but, even more important, we want them to have fun learning. And we want them to learn how to learn--how to find information and solve problems--so they're well equipped for adulthood.

Because homeschool parents are in daily, personal, one-on-one contact with their students (unlike the relationship that exists between most classroom teachers and their students), we expect that, in general, rather than using quizzes, tests and gradable worksheets, homeschool parents will evaluate the progress of their students through other means.

When you're reading a book, you'll likely discuss it with your son or daughter: "Why do you think he wanted to do that?" "What does ____ mean?"

If your child is able to answer your questions, you know exactly how much s/he understands--or how much s/he fails to understand.

And you and your child enjoy a mutually satisfying conversation to boot!

Over the years, we've added more formal means for you to evaluate your children's progress and to give them the focusing benefit of tests and quizzes. Still, our evaluation methods are generally less formal--and certainly a lot simpler--than you would find in a classroom-oriented program.
We are convinced our tools will give you all the information you need and your children all the practice they require.