Standardized Testing

[Busymomma1]

Hi ladies,
Just wondering... do you have your kids take standardized tests or do you do a portfolio review? In OH, we have the option of either, and I've always done a portfolio. But I'm debating doing some testing next year. Wondering... which tests did your kids take? Can you choose a test? I suppose each state has different rules, but just wondering that if there is a choice, is there one you'd recommend?

Thanks!

[my3sons]

Our state requires testing in various grade levels (i.e. 2nd, 5th, 8th., etc.), and the years they require testing seem to change every so often. So, we just do standardized testing every year starting with 2nd. grade. We use the Iowa Basic Skills test and have liked that. I like to have the dc taking a test such as this each year, as I feel it offers one good practice on test taking skills. I don't like testing as a daily form of assessment of what dc know, but instead prefer to just do the one big standardized test each year. I am glad that in the day to day of doing school with HOD we have better forms of assessment that show what my dc really know and don't offer the opportunity for guesses (i.e the CM way of doing narration vs. a multiple choice test). We do keep a portfolio for each HOD guide as well because it's a good memory tool and easy to do with all the neat work they accomplish with HOD. I figure portfolios are good to develop because many colleges take this approach to admittance, as well as wanting an ACT/SAT score. By keeping the portfolio and taking a standardized test (comparable to the future ACT/SAT) each year, when they go to college they should be prepared. So, in short, both standardized testing and portfolio assessment have their uses. It just depends what you assessment you feel comfortable with and would like to use.

In Christ,
Julie

[LynnH]

I am also in OH. This is my first year homeschooling. I have had a tough time deciding what to do this year. My ds has mild CP and although he was given a person to fill in the bubbles for him and was allowed extra time when he was in ps, he has test phobia. I decided to do the CAT-E from Seton this year. It is shorter and only tests math and language arts. I am just going to see how he does. I can always get a portfolio review done if he doesn't do well. As Julie says it will be very easy to put together a portfolio from all his HOD notebooks. I chose to do the testing, so hopefully he can slowly overcome his fear of testing since he will be taking it here with me and not in the pressured public school setting where all they talk about is testing for months on end. He is going to have to take tests in the future, so I think he does need some practice with it.

[pjdobro]

We are required to test yearly here in NC after our dc are 7. We can choose between several different nationally standardized tests. This was our first year testing and we had a testing agency administer the Woodcock-Johnson test. It turned out to be a really positive experience for the dc and me. It only took a couple of hours and a lot of the test was oral so that was a lot less stressful for my dc who aren't used to tests. I think for these early years, we'll probably continue with this type of test. Later on, I'll probably switch to the Iowa Basic test so they become more familiar with that format of test. It will be helpful for them when they get to the PSAT way down the road.

[Josiah's Mom]

I live in NY and we are required to do testing or have an approved person look at our child's portfolio of work for the year. We have decided to test him each year using the Iowa Test of Basic skills. I always worry that he will not do well but he does.

[Motherjoy]

Our state requires testing every three years starting in 3rd grade. I choose the CAT test because I can administer it at home, and because it only tests language arts and math. Its unlikely that we will be learning the same topics in science and 'social studies', so I find it more of a hindrance to test in those areas.

If it weren't required by state, we wouldn't test at all, except for SATs or whatever was required for college later on.

[laurabelle1317]

Our state requires testing every three years starting in 3rd grade. I choose the CAT test because I can administer it at home, and because it only tests language arts and math. Its unlikely that we will be learning the same topics in science and 'social studies', so I find it more of a hindrance to test in those areas.

CAT...California Achievement Test? Online it is showing that it does have science and social studies. Is that not the one you are referring to?

[laurabelle1317]

Nevermind...I fount what you are probably referring to. It seems the CAT does offer a test with other subjects, but you can get it without.

[Busymomma1]

Thanks for your input, ladies! So now I'm wondering... can the Iowa Test be administered at home? Or just the CAT? If I could administer at home, that would make it so much easier, I think! I would imagine it would remove that "unfamiliar environment" factor when taking the test. By that, I mean that I wonder how much just being in a new place and in a new situation would affect the kids' test results.

Thanks again!

[LynnH]

Yes the IOWA can be administered at home if your state allows for that and if the person administering it has a Bachelor's degree.

[John'smom]

Yes the IOWA can be administered at home if your state allows for that and if the person administering it has a Bachelor's degree.

Agreeing with Lynn. We're also in Ohio and did the Iowa last year and ds will soon be doing it for this year.

[Busymomma1]

Hi John's Mom,
Just thought I'd ask you.. did you administer it yourself, too? I was looking at our school district's language, and it said whatever test we chose could be "administered by an approved person." I should check into this more. But thanks for your help!

[Busymomma1]

OK, I checked into it more, and just like a couple of you said, if a person has a Bachelor's degree, they can administer the Iowa test. Well, now I'm thinking I just might sign up to be an administrator for the Iowa Test and just give it to my kiddos at home. I checked our Ohio forms, and they say that a person who is approved by the testing company is acceptable . So great! Thanks for leading me down this trail, ladies! You are a big help!

[John'smom]

Tricia,
My dh administers the test to my ds at home. If you want more info where we go through etc. just send me a pm. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

[Busymomma1]

Edwena,
Sent you a PM... I "think" it went through... thanks!