Testing?

[MerryAtHope]

I have a friend who has been homeschooling her special needs child for a couple of years--he is 14. She has used placement testing in various curriculum to decide where to start him & what to use, but would like to find some kind of overall test to figure out where he is grade-level wise in each subject. She would need something that could go pretty low in level (he's using a variety of things ranging between 2nd -4th grade). I'm not really familiar with what all is out there. We have used the Hewitt Pass test because they place kids where they are in each subject and they also point out specific areas to work on (she would like this kind of direction to help her have some specific goals in mind), but I don't think it goes low enough for her child (lowest level is 3rd grade), plus I don't really know if that is the best match for her to get an idea of where he's working. I think she'd like something she could use once or twice a year to see if he's showing progress over time and how much etc... Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Thanks, Merry :-)

[Laurie4b]

I have a friend who has been homeschooling her special needs child for a couple of years--he is 14. She has used placement testing in various curriculum to decide where to start him & what to use, but would like to find some kind of overall test to figure out where he is grade-level wise in each subject. She would need something that could go pretty low in level (he's using a variety of things ranging between 2nd -4th grade). I'm not really familiar with what all is out there. We have used the Hewitt Pass test because they place kids where they are in each subject and they also point out specific areas to work on (she would like this kind of direction to help her have some specific goals in mind), but I don't think it goes low enough for her child (lowest level is 3rd grade), plus I don't really know if that is the best match for her to get an idea of where he's working. I think she'd like something she could use once or twice a year to see if he's showing progress over time and how much etc... Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Thanks, Merry :-)

 

The Woodcock Johnson would fit all you want except that she would have to have certain credentials to purchase it and use it herself and it's expensive. she could likely find a local person who administers it. It should cost between $50- 75.

[MerryAtHope]

Thanks, any idea how to go about finding someone who does that?

 

Any other test recommendations, anyone?

 

Thanks! Merry :-)

[ReneeK]

Seton runs around $25.00 and she could do it a few times a year. I am in the same situation as your friend. I have not went this way yet. I know others who do it for that reason and seem happy with the results. Maybe others can chime in who have used Seton.

 

A place that HSLD recommended to me and has been a blessing is HIS Help in School which is kinda like and IEP that the ps would do. The publisher calls it a student educational plan and it keeps you aware of your childs abilities by setting goals and other methods. She has forms in the book and its also very informative on how to do it. It was under $20.00 when I bought it last year. She is very helpful on the phone to answer questions. She has another book that looks just as good. Which I have not got around to buying it yet.

 

Hope that helps some.

[DawnM]

I am a former high school counselor and also recommend the Woodcock Johnson. I have a test here and wish you lived closer. I could give it.

 

Ask around your homeschool group, they should know someone who has it and can give it.

 

Most testers charge around $75 for the basic test and over that if you want to go deeper or have more cognitive evaluations.

 

Dawn

[KatieJo]

She could contact HSLDA's special needs consultants for a referral in her area. That's what I did and was very happy with the specialist who tested my daughter. She used the Woodcock Johnson and several more tests and gave me the complete results and recommendations for curriculum.