I know it's early, but I was curious. For those of us who have end of year tests, around when do you do them? We did ds' in May and barely got the results in time to submit...yikes. So I was wondering when you all do so it's not too early or too late. Thanks so much! ps...our results have to be in by Aug 1st.
Did you do Seton Testing? They got me my results back within a week. It's simple enough. This year I think I will prepare them with practice tests before it since they aren't used to being tested - but that's just me this week - LOL. Of course I think we took ours in March to get it over with before our busy season really starts.
We did Cat5 testing from Bayside. It took us about 8 weeks to get our results back (so we took it mid May and got our results back THE WEEK before Aug 1st....pretty much I ended up dropping it off by hand). What is Seton? Is it easier/ better than the Cat5?
We don't do end of year tests...but do do standardized tests. We're only required to do them in 3rd, 5th and 8th. We, however are going to do them every year to make sure we're on track. We do the WRAT Test with our evaluator. I think we did it in April last year. The results are instant. I walked away from the testing knowing her scores. My son is taking a preliminary this weekend b/c I fear he's pretty far behind in Math.
http://setontesting.com/ It's the Cat test from them.... they grade it and being in VA they are super quick
Our HS group offers that Standford Achievement Test. We purchase from BJU. We test in May and have gotten the results back in about 4 weeks.
I used Seton as well and got my results pretty quickly. I will be using them again this year. We don't have to test every year, only every 3rd year.
Okay do you admister the tests yourself or what folks? Since I keep missing the one at ds's school, maybe I can jus torder and do it? DO I need someone else to test them?
I give the test at home. Under the option file with for the state we are required to test every year. It didn't take my kids long at all this past year - so I assume it won't take them long again this year - we'll see
I'm in PA with Krista, so only 3rd, 5th, and 8th for standardized testing. My oldest is only in 2nd, but my plan is to take her test at the beginning of the year for each one.
PA doesn't allow the parent to monitor testing. Doesn't have to be anyone special, just NOT the parents.
Autumn, We usually do ours in April. We've used the CAT-E from Seton and the ITBS thru BJU Testing. CAT-E is the quickest (think a week...2 at the most). ITBS took 8 weeks for the computer scores but I had paid extra for the hand scores and had those in 2 weeks (then got the others 6 weeks later). Our co-op does the Stanford 10 and they do it in March to get the scores back in time (takes 10-12 weeks). Since only math and lang arts is REQ'd by the law, I'll probably use the CAT-E most years. Simple to order, cheap, and QUICK turn around time. If and when I want science and soc st....we'll use the ITBS because I'm already a pre-approved tester. Since the ps don't have to do standardized tests every year (just the stinkin' SOLs)....why do we have to pay a zillion dollars annually to test?? I'll just "check the box" with the CAT-E. Once my oldest is out of elementary school grades...I'll probably alternate with the ITBS so she has more experience with the other subjects before the ACT/SAT. She took the full battery of the Terra Nova test in 3rd grade at her Dept of Defense school so she knows what to expect a bit from that. Rhonda
Thanks so much for the input ladies! We have to test each year after age 6 here (those in VA know) but I was thinking of testing my daughter (she'll be 6 in March, but she doesn't have to test until next year) just to see where she's at and make myself and dh feel better. (and to make sure that she's actually retaining the more advanced grade stuff she's doing and not just getting through it, if that makes sense).
I tested DS6 last year. It wasn't required and I did NOT send them to the district. It was nice to see how he scored (compared to others) although the actual results weren't a surprise and I could have guessed what he'd have trouble with so I don't know that it really mattered a ton but it was nice to see the #'s. And we actually got scores back in LESS than 2 weeks....just about a week. It takes 2 weeks in the "busy season" for them. Rhonda
That's what I'm thinking, see where she's at and what we need to focus on more. I won't send them in either... never give them more than they ask for.
Final question on the subject: Do you prep them? Like actually study for the tests? We had to study math last year but this year I am thinking we wont unless I read through the guidelines for their grades and see something we've completely missed.
personally I wont, I think that would be cheating, I want to know what they already know not what I just now taught them so they would look good, kwim?
Ah, but is it cheating if that is what all the other students are doing the same? If it is a percentile test? Hmmm.... I, personally, am going to cover some "how to take really boring inane tests where you have to sit still for an insane amount of time", and that is about it. (Maybe I'll throw in a "if you don't know it, skip over it and come back if you have more time" portion, too.) My understanding of PA law - I could be wrong - is that the final grade doesn't really affect one's homeschool-ability. Since I have a huge disbelief that a standardized test can actually measure what is learned, we will simply be taking it to comply with the law. <shrug> I know - and you know - what your child has learned and what they are struggling with. Mind you, I don't know if the state laws in VA require a certain percentage. I might be concerned if DD scores a 25% or so, but on the other hand...she really doesn't know how to sit and take mindnumbing tests, so if she scores low, I'm going to put a lot of it in that section. Okay, not sure where to add this in but...the standardized tests SHOULD basically cover the same type of stuff your school district tosses out as a "learn this year" thing. Some of those, of course, you won't have gotten to (I think it was the OP who started the recent stressing out post, right?), while others will be covered in depth. Which is another reason I'm not going to stress over the test; so what if DD didn't learn three sentences about this part of history, when she can spend an hour telling you about that part because we didn't cover the first yet? <shrug> Finally, the reason I decided to test at the beginning of the year is in case the issue of scoring come into play. I can say, "yes, she is weak in this part (fractions) but we worked on that in October so she should be better now." Caveat: I will probably spend the time immediately before her first test stressing, so I may bump this thread for my own peace of mind.
