Hi, I am new here, I will post more about myself later. I recently ordered the California Achievement Test for my 1st and 4th graders. (Which is Level 11 and Level 14) Anyway, I received the tests today and I am in a state of disbelief. These test are so easy, if I had to guess I'd say atleast a grade behind. I was wondering if anyone has used this test and what you thought about it. Thanks in advance.
I used the CAT/5 for dd who is 9. I thought most of it was easy. There were really only a few things that I felt she might not know. I haven't received her results back yet though. I, honestly, would rather the test be a little easy than way too hard. I felt most of the test was on grade level. I can't say how it compares to your state's tests though. You would have to actually see their tests to compare I guess.
Melissa... What year is your test? Is it a more recent version? That could make a difference. I tested dd in first grade with a very old version of the MAT and thought it was really super easy.
It is the CAT/5 which has a 1991 copyright date. The problem is I cant find any newer test online. My reason for the test was to see if my children had weaknesses in some areas that we may need to work on. Im just disappointed with the test. Thanks for your reply.
I think the 1991 version is the newest one available. I saw somewhere yesterday that some school systems have recently switched to that test. Are your kids advanced or pretty much on grade level? I guess I'd go ahead and test them and see how they do. If you are not satisfied then you could try a different test in a few months.
I'd say they are alittle ahead, my daughter is 6 and is reading 2nd and 3rd grade books and my son is 10 and really advanced in Math. We use Abeka but we move through the material quickly. I am going ahead with these test and see how they turn out. Next year my son is required to take the IOWA so I will get a better idea with that. Thanks.
we don't use CAT5 anymore. it's CAT6 now they are supposed to be taking if you want the tests to count.
Do you guys administer the tests to your homeschoolers yourselves? I am in NC and was advised for credibility purposes to go to an outside testing agency.
Yes, the CAT/5 can be administered by a parent. I think most parents testing are either doing it because they have to or because they are truly interested in how their child is doing. I wouldn't think a parent would "cheat" or help a child if he was truly interested in finding out about the child's testing abilities.
In my state (georgia) it is not required, however we are required to start the IOWA test in 3rd grade and retain the scores with our records. I think you would have to go through an agency for that test. The CAT you can order online and administer yourself. I did it to find out where my kids were as far as needing to improve on anything. Check with your state to see what would meet the requirments if any or contact your local homeschool group. Melissa
Melissa... I'm in GA also. We do not have to test with the IOWA basic skills test. You are simply required to test with a standardized test for your knowledge. Here is GA's laws. Georgia Legal Home Schooling Options: 1 Option: 1 Legal Option: Establish and conduct a home study program Attendance: 180 days per year, 4 1/2 hours per day Subjects: Reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science Qualifications: High school diploma or GED for a teaching parent; high school diploma or GED for any private tutor used Notice: File a declaration of intent with the local superintendent within 30 days of commencing the home study program and by September 1 annually thereafter Recordkeeping: Maintain attendance records and submit monthly to the superintendent; write and retain an annual progress report Testing: Administer and retain the results of a standardized test every 3 years beginning at the end of the 3rd grade
The public school system where I live, allows homeschoolers to take the standardized test, free of charge at a school building downtown. They only have to take the reading and math sections. If you choose that method, then you don't have to do teacher evals or a written report. Or you can skip the standardized test and get a teacher eval or write a report. I think the standardized test is the easiest method. I also think it is desparately easy. So, did my dd.
I have to ask you Mellissa; where did you find somethign saying it is required? I am from California and was told we are not required to test them at all. Just curious as I have been trying to get my younger two tested for a couple of years now and things just have not worked out for it. Teacher Mom
Teacher Mom... Every state is different. We're in GA and we are required to test starting in 3rd grade and every three years after. Some states don't have to test. Check out the following webpage for more info on your state... http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp
Thanks Missy! I appreciate it! I am looking at another site from a page on a different thread as well and trying to find if there are any free tests out there that I can just download, upload? Something like that? Thanks again! Teacher Mom ( Teresa)
Check out www.kidtest.com. I think that's it. They may have some free tests??? This site has a free practice test. http://www.testprepreview.com/
Ava, if you think the "written evaluation" is more difficult, it's because you've never had it done! My kids have never taken the test, though I would like them to sometime. The "written evaluation" is a real breeze. You just show your stuff to a certified teacher (my good friend from college does it for me). She spends about 10 or 15 minutes looking over their work, then signs a pre-printed paper that says "I hereby attest that a portfolio of _____________'s work was reviewd by me for the ________ academic year and is in accordance with his/her abilities." Of course, each evaluator is different. But one year, I paid to have someone do my kids' evaluation, and they didn't do anything more than what my friend did. (For some reason, she couldn't that year). It's a very simple process!
