I was just wondering. If you do standardized testing with your children, are you finished testing for this year? We hope to do all of the girl's by the end of the month. I feel so behind but we have had a lot of health problems this year and I kept putting it off. I wouldn't even do the tests, but it is required in NC. Beth
You aren't behind :lol: We haven't tested yet either. Although, I'm doing the CAT-E this year rather than the full battery. VA only req's math and lang arts so I'm just checking the box this year. If you get it thru Seton testing, it doesn't take long because they hand score them....they don't have to send it out for the 10-12 weeks to get it computer scored. The norm years are a bit older than say BJU for the Iowa but VA doesn't seem to care and since both girls did full tests last year, I'm going with the minimum req'd this year. Probably do the full Iowa next year just for "fun" and to meet the law. Rhonda C.
This is our first year not testing. I have some pretest books that my sister gave me. I am using the language and math only.
We just got done and sent them in last week. I think 'norm" is through May, isn't it? That would give you time!
I am at my 175 days but wont be testing until mid summer. It's not required by our current state but is of the one we are going back to.
okay, when do you guys order the tests? I keep missing the ordering times with our Church school, so maybe I will have to just order it on my own?
I think we are going to do the PASS test again, in mid-to-late June. It's mainly just for me, to check Zach's progress from last year. Because of all the time we took off when we moved last fall, it's probably going to be June before he's where I want him to be mathematically before heading into 5th grade.
I ordered ITBS from www.brewertesting.com Got the stuff right away, tested and sent it back. It was easy to do. She kept up with e-mails. And as soon as we get our results I will be a very happy camper!
Teacher Mom, here is a link explaining the PASS test: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/test/tmain.asp
I never did any of the standardized testing. AT the time the homeschool group here where I live, they were dead set against it and the main organizer had gone through a LOT of trouble to get some laws changed. So when the public school decided to pick me to harrass..they jumped right up and helped me to understand why they didn't want it forced on thier kids and said that if I gave in it might cause problems for them in the future. They helped me in dealing with the principle of the school, she backed off and their rights were not taken away. I understood the homeschool groups reasons as well as individual parents reasoning on doing it. if I were to do it, it would only be for my own guide to see how my son was doing. Although it made a lot of sense that he was being tested on their curriculum..not the one I was teaching him. He was doing very well too...it showed in all aspects of his work so I wasn't worried about what they had to say. Only now have we had any 'testing' done because he's 16 and will be taking his GED. Here in Hawaii..if you also do 40 hours of the adult school GED tutoring course..then you can get a regular diploma rather then just the GED certificate. So he had his first real testing and did awesome!
Already did the CAT test required for VA. It took my son about 1 hour total to do it and my daughter 1 1/2 (only cause she complained). I ordered through Seton and got them back within the week! Personally I think they could have taken them a lot earler - so don't worry about being behind! We only did them because we were finished and ready to start the new year already.
I ordered from Seton yesterday and should have the tests next week. We ordered from a different company last year and their service was great but they were booked up for this year. I am looking forward to getting this behind us.
My eldest had her first testing done this year. PA requires 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade. My daughter took the WRAT. She did EXCELLENT! It was a very low stress easy test. They'll be GREAT!
We are required to test every year. Sd will probably do her tests in June like last year. We currently do them thru our district so it does not cost us anything. Last year they used Stanford and I think that is what they are using this year too. Next year we will probably go through our co-op and they do testing in the begining of May.
okay, I also found Seton Testing has the CAT for 20 $ on one site, maybe will go with them.. have to check with hubby first but I want to test them because I have never done it and really am curious as to where they stand... if there are any gaps in dd's learning that she 'skim learned' instead of really deep learning. IT is hard to tell with her because she reads something once and knows it. ds16 is like that too now, once he learns, hears or sees it he can tell you details IF it was interesting to him though. dd is a sponge, I also would like to know where ds10 is sitting at this point too.
This is our first year testing (part of the deal with the charter school) -- Do they show the kids how to fill in the bubbles? Or should I be working on this with them at home? My kids have NEVER seen a scan tron sheet before!
Maybe get a Spectrum Test Prep workbook for Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. It has bubbles that can help "practice" that aspect and also helps seem see the possibility of certain types of questions. They're about $8, I think. Just a thought. Most tests have a few sample questions to familiarize the kids with the concept but if you want more, I'd get the prep book (or maybe something similar).
Gwenny99--This is how it is with ITBS: Whoever is the proctor of the tests has things they have to read to the kids before they start each test. At the beginning, before they start the individual tests, they need to fill out their names and things--printing them and filling in the bubbles. Part of the proctor "script" is explaining the right way to fill in the bubbles. It's not that hard, so with that explanation, all the kids I've proctored over the years have gotten it down, even the ones who were doing it for their first time. But Rhonda is absolutely right---the Spectrum test books are great practice if they've never done it before, and could help them feel more relaxed since they have an idea of what to expect. This was the first time we'd ever done our own testing. I usually proctor it at the local Christian school, but there was a change over of teachers, and I was not included on the "here's what you should know" list of what they told the new teachers. That's fine, it worked out (just more expensive), plus it was more fun with a smaller group---I just had my youngest two and one other girl this time. Anyway, the school did the ITBS, so I stuck with that since I know how to run it, and the kids know how to take it, so it was easier on us that way!
