Standardized Tests

[jensmom]

I need some direction and instruction please. I am a new HS mommy and new HODie. I want to test my dd every year as opposed to every 3 years as required by GA. I assume that the Iowa Basics Test is the best one to use...I want to choose one test and stick with it. How do you go about testing? Do I buy it and administer it myself or do I need to find a place locally to have her tested? And when do you do it? Our public school will be doing it in October. Help please!

Thank you! My dd will be starting 1st grade and Beyond in a couple of weeks.

Judy

[inHistiming]

I would suggest trying to find a home school group in your area. They often administer tests at some point during the year, and IMO, is a better choice for this. This would also allow you to meet other homeschoolers and possibly get involved in homeschool classes and activities if desired. Here in NY we have to test the kids every other year, until middle school I think, then every year. We have the option to just turn in a written evaluation on the years we don't test. I was able to get a copy of our state regulations through my homeschool group as well. They are available online...try http://www.hslda.org. Or you could probably do a google search and find the regs. for your state. One benefit to having a memebership in a group is that you will have someone to ask questions of that has actually met the requirements for your state and can explain anything to you that you don't fully understand. Our group's coordinator was very helpful to me in the last year after we moved, and it helped me very much to be able to contact her with questions. Plus, we've met a lot of great people and made good friends through the group. Just my 2 cents...HTH.

[water2wine]

Judy I am using the CAT. I ordered the IOWA and then did not like the content in it. There were quite a few evolutions content questions and I was trying to decide to tell the to answer the way the world thinks or have them miss it. And then I realized since I went to such effort to teach them the biblical account and teach against the other it seemed weird to have them take a test that contradicted it. They do know both sides of the story though. It just seemed odd to me to tell them to put the wrong answer to get the question correct. So in the end I sent back the IOWA and went with the CAT. Anyway what I like about the CAT is it tests the three R's (at least the levels I used). To me History and Science are relevant to only what you have taught so far so I did not want to worry about being on their schedule. Bottom line is you can administer it yourself if either you or your husband has a bachelor's degree or above. I do not have my results back yet but I am considering giving it to them more often as well (we are in GA too). Mostly because I want to see where my dd with special needs lands.

You might want to check into finding one you can administer yourself if the CAT does not work for you.

[jensmom]

I do not have my results back yet but I am considering giving it to them more often as well (we are in GA too). Mostly because I want to see where my dd with special needs lands.

When did you give it to them and what ages are your dc? I will look into that one. I have a BS in Accounting. Also, how are they given to younger children? Do they use more pictures than words? Maybe I should give them in September and May instead of just once per year...

Thank you!
Judy

[water2wine]

Judy,

I gave them at the end of our year after we had finished all our math and LA. My kids told me it was easy except for the one with special needs who is considerably challenged but I chose to test her at her grade level to see how well she could do. She is not really required to test I believe if I were to push it. We'll see if they thought it was easy because it really was or not . But I will tell you I read over it and the IOWA and except for the IOWA covering an enormous amount of social studies (and I mean social studies not history One of the questions were about alternative religious holidays and what who celebrated them what did they mean) the math and LA looked comparable. So I think we are good with this test. Your bachelors degree is all you need. You can administer this yourself. I got mine here http://www.setontesting.com/default.php they are quick and have a good reputation. HTH

Just wanted to add that if you chose to test every year that is more than enough. I may but honestly after this next year I will probably just go on schedule. I am more just wanting to place my dd who has special needs. You have all you need covered with HOD and they will test well as long as you teach it.

[jensmom]

Thank you, water2wine! That is very helpful. I looked at the website and the tests are very reasonably priced. I sent a question to them to determine which level I should buy for testing in a couple of weeks - K or 1st. I would like to go ahead and test to see where she is since she attended church schools through K. Then I will test annually at the end of the year.

Judy

[water2wine]

Then you will really have a handle on how she has grown with HOD. I've had good experience with the company. Hope it is what you are looking to find.

[gracelikerain]

Hi W2W,

Where does it say that you need a bachelor degree to give the CAT test to your dc? The website only says some states require you to be a certified teacher....

thanks!