Test Scores VS Skills Set. What’s Better for Homeschoolers?

The Changing Education Landscape: Moving Beyond Test Scores vs Skills

I was at lunch with our Founder and President, Seth Iorg, a few months ago, and we were speaking to a gentleman who works for a highly reputable online charter school. (I won’t mention the name). But he started to tell us that this notion that “it’s all about Test Scores vs Skills (i.e., ACTs, high school exams, SATs, etc.)” is no longer the driving force of academic success. School exams aren’t even the focus anymore. The new phrase they use now is “College and Career Ready.

Helping kids of today’s day and age become ready for college and know exactly what they want or need to study OR preparing them for future careers is what matters now. This shift in focus from standardized tests to real-world skills and career readiness reflects the evolving job market and the increasing demand for practical, hands-on expertise.

It’s no longer just about getting into college; it’s about providing children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce. The old model focused primarily on academic performance as a measure of success, but we now recognise that students need a more comprehensive preparation that includes career exploration and practical skills.

Our Vision: A Real Coding Pathway for Youth Test Scores vs Skills

This had quite an impact on both of us. We then decided to coin the phrase underneath our logo, and it has now become our company motto! We want to provide a REAL coding (computer programming) PATHWAY for youth, so by the time they turn 16-18 years of age, the child knows where to invest his/her time. Is it to pursue college? Is it to go directly into a career that may not require college? Whatever it may be, the parents will feel confident that their good money is not wasted.

Simply Coding, Inc. has been designed around this concept. We believe that the traditional education system often fails to offer students the practical skills they need to succeed in today’s tech-driven economy. That’s why we focus on teaching coding in a way that is hands-on, engaging, and directly relevant to the real world.

We put kids in a real coding environment (HTML, CSS, javascript, java, python, etc.) and allow them to create THEIR portfolios on GitHub of their projects and games to show to future employers, internships, and so much more! This approach not only equips them with the skills they need but also builds a tangible portfolio that demonstrates their capabilities in a competitive job market.

Why Coding is Essential for Career Readiness

In today’s world, coding has become a vital skill for many industries. From web development to game design, software engineering to data science, coding is integral to the innovation that drives our economy. With technology becoming increasingly central to every industry, teaching kids to code gives them a head start in understanding the building blocks of our digital world.

At Simply Coding, we teach children how to write code in popular programming languages like JavaScript, Python, Java, and HTML/CSS. By learning these foundational languages, they gain the tools to create websites, develop apps, and build games, all while building essential problem-solving skills. In addition to these Test Scores vs Skills, coding also fosters creativity and resilience, as students learn how to troubleshoot and iterate on their work.

By creating projects and coding games, students get to see their ideas come to life. This not only boosts their confidence but also gives them a sense of ownership over their learning process.

Building a Portfolio for Future Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of learning to code at a young age is the ability to build a portfolio of projects. Portfolios provide concrete evidence of a student’s skills and accomplishments, making them invaluable when applying for jobs or internships in the future. At Simply Coding, we guide our students to use GitHub to upload their projects, creating a personal portfolio that can be shared with potential employers or college admissions teams.

Portfolios serve as an ongoing showcase of a student’s growth and development in coding. They become a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and problem-solving skills that students apply as they move through different coding challenges and projects.

Having a portfolio of completed projects is also helpful for students who choose to enter the workforce immediately after high school. Employers often value practical experience over formal education, and having a strong coding portfolio gives young people an edge in securing internships or full-time positions.

Empowering Parents with Confidence Test Scores vs Skills

As parents, it’s natural to want to ensure that your child’s education and extracurricular activities are worthwhile. Investing in coding education is not only a smart choice of Test Scores vs Skills; it’s an investment in your child’s future success. When you enrol your child in a coding program, you’re giving them the tools to succeed in both colleges and the career world.

Our mission at Simply Coding is to offer a pathway to real-world outcomes. We want parents to feel confident that their children are learning valuable skills that will help them achieve their dreams, whether those dreams involve higher education or a fulfilling career.

Conclusion: Preparing Youth for Success Test Scores vs Skills

The world is changing, and so is education. At Simply Coding, we are committed to ensuring that kids are “College and Career Ready” by providing them with practical, real-world coding skills. By offering a comprehensive coding education, we empower children to take control of their future, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the digital world.