OT: homeschoolers, what standardized test do you use

[nuzmom]

If you use a standardized test, what do you use? why?

 

[OceanAnnie]

We aren't there yet.

I'm interested to know other's experiences too.

 

[disneymom3]

I use the Peabody Individual Achievement test. YOu have to pay a tester to test your kids for you. That is one of the reasons I like it. I want to make sure that I am not in anyway influencing the test. I also like it because it is mainly oral so that kids who don't do the traditional pen and paper thing can still demonstrate their knowledge well. It goes as high as the child can go--it doesn't just test them at their age level, but they keep going in every subject until they get a certain number wrong. THis way you get a true and accurate picture of the level your child is at.

The only thing I don't like is the general knowledge section and that really can't be helped as far as I can see. They don't ask third graders about ancient rome and chemistry for instance so even though that is what we studied the kids are asked quesitons that may be something you haven't even talked about yet just because you happen to be going in your own order.

Our sitter does the Iowa Basics test. Her mom administers it at home and I know the sitter hates testing days. It seems to take them about a week. I know it works well for them, but I like that ours is done in one day and my kids love when the tester comes to our house. Being excited about taking a test--what a concept!

 

[dis-happy]

We've used both the IOWA and CAT. For ordering the IOWA you need to send in proof that the tester is a college grad. In our state (NC) any standardized test will do. I usually don't even show the kids their scores, just keep it more for my info on any areas they need to work on a little more; it's nice to see how they progress from year to year as well. The IOWA gives you more information on specific skills, IMO. The CAT is a little easier to administer.

Our homeschool group also offers group testing. We've done that before as well, but in the end I prefer testing at home (when they finish a section early you can go on, making the process shorter; and you can space out the days and tests in a way that works best for your child and schedule.

 

[LMC]

Our hs group uses Stanford and California. Anyone can order the California (I think) but the Stanford must be admistered by certified teachers so that is done at the hs group. I think you can order the stanford practice tests on your own if you just want an idea of how they are doing. If you must test for state regulations, I guess you'll have to go thru a hs group.

 

[nuzmom]

We used the CAT (California) last year and it was fine. It is on PA's approved list and I like that he could take it at home (administered by anyone but his parents). But, I am looking for something that covers a little more. For instance, I'd like something that says DS is testing at a 6th grade in math and 4rd grade in grammar.

I'm really looking at having something that tells me how he's doing. The CAT told me that he only missed one in math and scored perfect in all the english/language, but I feel that the test may have been a little easy. I'm really just looking to use it for my own benefit, however, if they're reasonably good results, I would include them in our year end portfolio that we turn in to the school district. (hey, why not?)

Thanks for all the great responses. I'll check out some of the tests that have been mentioned.

 

[disneymom3]

nuzmom, the Peabody will do that. Hold on, let me get the results sheet......


Okay, the kids are scored in the following areas: General Information, Reading recognition, reading comprehension, speling and mathematics. You are then given their percentile rank for their age group, the age equivalent for their score and the grade equivalent for their score. For instance, DDs Spelling score was 80 which by itself doesn't mean a lot. But the next columns say, Grade equivalent 7.1 (first month of 7th grade) Age equivalent 12-7 (12 years, 7 months) and percentile score for her age group 98.

Hope that helps.

 

[yazee1]

We use the Iowa test. I don't share the scores with them. It's a frame of reference for me and a good learning experience for them. So far, most of the time, I can predict their scores within 10 percent.

The kids have taken it both having it administered individually and in group settings. I've seen the plusses and minuses of both. In past years, my friend and I swap kids so she administers the test for my kids and I administer for hers. One time, when she was supposed to administor for my son, she went out instead and had her mother, who lives with her, do it instead. What a flipping disaster. Her mom had no idea what she was supposed to do. She put him in a hot, stuffy bedroom with a couple pencils and the test, set the timer and shut the door. Even worse, it was right before lunch, so he was hungry and sleepy. Needless to say my 60.00 was wasted.

Since moving to NJ, I've participated in Iowa testing with our homeschool group because they needed a proctor and I am qualified to do that. Most of the kids were adequately prepared for a test taking situation, but definitely not all. It pained me to not be allowed to direct certain kids in helpful but not compromising ways. For instance, I could tell that my friend's son forgot that he should skip the problem he was spending too much time on and come back to it later. I also witnessed that some of the administrators were either undertrained for their task or indifferent to it and it impacted certain kids.

 

[Tiffann4k]

We also use the Iowas but we have a teacher administer it and send it in for scoring