Testing in homeschooling?

Question

How important is testing for advancement in homeschooling programs? I did not have my sons take a comprehensive test at end of school year. They advanced to grades 5, 1 and K this month after completing last years curriculum.

Any suggestions for low cost academic level testing?

How have you handled this situation?

Answer 1

hello ..

ive been home schooled for about 2 1/2 years . And I'm entering into my 10th year . My mom didn't have me take the comprehensive test last year . So we just had to have an licensed  teacher come and check my work . All she does is look over what I have done the whole year and signs off the form saying im   fine to move up the grade , And if you have already moved up a grade just have them checked by  a licensed teacher . The last thing you want is to move them up and they are not ready . By the way some very good advice allow the teacher to look at the books that you had you child working on , have it organized .  And here are some good programs to look up .

http://www.aceministries.com

http://www.bjupress.com

http://www.abeka.com/

http://www.sonlight.com/

http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/curric...

http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/home...

http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/Default...

Or just type in to google homeschool curriculm ..

check your local church and see if they give out testing . Some do and some dont /.

I hope ive helped you in some ways , if not in at least one

god bless

Answer 2

I have been home-schooling for 6 years; I have my kids tested using the Iowa Test of basic skills every other year. Not for them --for me. Just to check that we are making progress and if I have any gaps. The first year I did I freaked out a little (lot)bit. My kids didn't have any problems . The next time around was a lot easier on me. The only downside to testing is that I tend to beat myself up a little bit when I feel that they should  have done better in a certain area.

We do  the testing through our coop. ON eof the ladies is certified to give the tests.

Hope this helps

Also, it was quite encouraging to me to know that I did not teach to a test and my kids did ok .

Answer 3

Your choice (depending on the state requirements..) Remember that you are not teaching to the test and so comparing your children with others may not really benefit either of you. My son takes the achievement test (state requirement for testing every three years) and one year in math he didn't do well in fractions because WE HADN"T STUDIED fractions.. our curriculum didn't go into it that year. He scored low, but it really didn't matter.. I knew we would cover fractions and ultimately did.  The nice part of homeschooling is that we KNOW our child's weak areas and strong areas. A test really isn't going to do much except teach them how to take a test, not really critical at this age.

As for your other question, for standardized tests, we use the California Achievement test through Christian Liberty Press and have for years now. The cost is $22 per child (grade 2 and up).  http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/pageofli...

As for the comment above by Demetria: "It's really neat, it tells you what grade level your child is on compared to other public and private schoolers and it gives you a grade level for every subject!"  

She actually is incorrect. It does not give someone a grade level... it shows that they tested the same as someone AT that grade level.. If the test says 5.4, then it means they tested the same as a student in 5th grade 4th month.  That is not to say that the tested child is at that level as the test cannot show the gaps that might be missed between the actual grade and "tested as" grade.  Percentile is a better comparison. At 80th percentile, it means that 80 percent tested lower than your child. A description of test results can be found at http://www.homeschools.org/enrolling/ach...

Answer 4

It's really not important at all, that is not until SAT/ACT or if you'd like the PSAT.

There is a way to evaluate their scholastic level.

Christian Liberty Press has a CAT test for about $22.00, they send it to you, and when you return it they will evaluate it and give you the results to place in their portfolio.

The CAT does not require the parent to have a teaching degree to administer the test, unlike the IOWA basic.

If you request it they will make curriculum recommendations, but it is not included in the test.

See their web site at; http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/copyof/

Answer 5

Unless it is required by your state, testing is not necessary for home schooling.  We have homeschooled for 18+ years without testing but once.  We tested our very first year (1st grade, 1st child) because I was so nervous. After getting the test back and seeing what a joke it was, we never bothered to do it again.  

You can tell if your child is progressing the way you want. It isn't a matter of trying to keep up with public school standards; we all know where that has gotten education.  

Tests are really only about the tests, not an education.  You may cover material at a different time than the curriculum the tests are designed to cover (or the curriculum designed to help kids pass the test). The best bet is to just keep homeschooling in the method you are comfortable with.  You can be the judge of whether the children are progressing as you would like or not.

Answer 6

No you don't have to test your children, but why not? Their going to have to take the SAT eventually right?

I am homeschooled and took the Stanford Achivement Test, which is what kids usually take to get into The  Junior Honor Society. It's really neat, it tells you what grade level your child is on compared to other public and private schoolers and it gives you a grade level for every subject! I believe its for students 3rd-12th. And its pretty low cost. I believe you can look it up on the internet and just call a local Public School and they'll let you take it at thier school!

Answer 7

If you don't need to do the testing, don't do it unless you want to. If you plan on sending them to school in a given school year, then it might be worthwhile to do so, or if you're just fearful of not having documentation. Where I live, testing is not required and most people don't do any.

If you want just some basic testing, somebody gave me this link the other day http://www.CAhomeschool.com . In the Assessments section, I was looking at the CIBS, but it was kind of pricey, although I suppose if you were going to use it a long-time, it'd be worth it. I've been looking instead at the math and reading placement tests. These are much cheaper, but of course, not comprehensive.

Answer 8

Unless your state requires it, you don't need to test them.  If they completed a previous grade level with the curriculum you're using, then just put them in the next level.  It does get a bit tricky if you change curriculum all the time.  If you do that, you'd want to give them the new curriculum's placement test to place them at the correct spot.

There is a site called Let's Go Learn that has inexpensive Math and LA tests:

http://www.letsgolearn.com/lglsite/homes...

You can also do standardized testing with a homeschool group or through a registered test administrator.  If you have a bachelor's degree, you can sign up to test your own kids with the ITBS through BJUP:

http://www.bjupress.com/services/testing...

My son has taken the ITBS with me twice, a Let's Go Learn reading assessment once, and the EXPLORE (out of level) test.  None of it is required by our state, but we like having the data, and it helps DS when enrolling in certain programs.  I also had our school district's psychologist test him with IQ and achievement testing.