I hate getting standardized test results back

[melmichigan]

I hate getting standardized test result back. I do not teach to the test. We actually do no test prep at all, yet every year when the test results come back I am always second guessing my plans for the coming year. We just got the Stanford 10 online results for my twins, 4th graders. As usual I am fighting the urge to adjust my plans for next year, even though they did fine. All the Stanine results are average or above average. What more could I ask for? This is nonsense! Does anyone else suffer from such madness?!? :willy_nilly:

[Mrs Twain]

For the last several years I have made some adjustments after getting the test results. It helps to keep us on track. This year I noticed a huge improvement in the areas that were a little weak last year, and I am happy to see that progress. What exactly are you worried about? It may not be that hard to supplement what you are already doing in order to fill holes if needed.

[SunnyDays]

Doing testing this week, so I hear you. We have no problems on math, language, or reading. The problem is that we don't necessarily cover the same content in SS or science. We aren't required to test/report on that yet but that will change in a couple years. At that point I do plan on getting a test prep book to at least make sure he's had exposure to all the topics.

 

But yes... Your kids are doing just fine!! :)

 

[melmichigan]

For the last several years I have made some adjustments after getting the test results. It helps to keep us on track. This year I noticed a huge improvement in the areas that were a little weak last year, and I am happy to see that progress. What exactly are you worried about? It may not be that hard to supplement what you are already doing in order to fill holes if needed.

 

They took the Stanford 10 Online. I did not realize that with taking it online there are no individual objective scores, so this information is not as helpful as I thought it would be. One did above average on Language subtests, one did not. Both did just ok on Word Study Skills.

 

 

Doing testing this week, so I hear you. We have no problems on math, language, or reading. The problem is that we don't necessarily cover the same content in SS or science. We aren't required to test/report on that yet but that will change in a couple years. At that point I do plan on getting a test prep book to at least make sure he's had exposure to all the topics.

 

But yes... Your kids are doing just fine!! :)

 

Thanks! I was worried about that but they were both above average in science and average in social studies.

[Mrs Twain]

I do the standardized tests the old fashioned way--on paper. After the kids take it, I can look over the answers and see exactly what they got wrong. I added an Editor in Chief workbook, a basic reading comprehension workbook, and a grammar practice workbook last year. My kids only spent a few minutes per day on these, but they helped quite a bit. Also, I had my kids do speed tests in math. I don't know if that is on the Stanford, but it is on the ITBS. Test taking skills are different from our regular curriculum, but they are important to master for the future IMO.

[tuzor]

I agonize over the entire process. Each year I'm a nervous wreck waiting for the results to come back. Technically I should probably wait until the results come in but I plan and begin purchasing prior to testing. So far I've been a good gauge as to what areas oldest is weak in.

[pitterpatter]

I can't imagine testing DD. She's a smart girl, but has no real concept of test and doesn't give a hoot about doing her best in that setting. She loves learning and doing, but is very non-competitive. She's only (nearly) 6, though. Just saying.

 

I get what you're saying, though. I'm pretty sure I would be the same way.

[Forgiven]

I'm still waiting for our Stanford10 test results. I'm so nervous and scared. I don't know what I'll do if they don't do well. In the back of my head, I know that we don't do anything close to the PS scope and sequence for Science and Social Studies, so I know that those scores will be low, but it will still bother me. Also, if they don't do well on the 3Rs, then I'm just going to feel guilty and my dh will most likely tell me to put the kids in PS. :( I'm a nervous wreck, and will be until I get those scores. Of course, I may be more of a wreck once the scores are in. :(

[ktgrok]

I'm waiting for results too. Last year his math computation was low, but he got a perfect score on problem solving (ITBS). This year I'm worried that will have flip flopped, from switching to teaching textbooks. well..not that he will have a perfect score, but I think computation will be better, and problem solving lower. But we will see. Wishing I'd done ITBS again, so I could have a true comparison. But I did the Stanford Online to have quicker results. Yeah...they say 2-3 days on their website, and it has been almost 2 WEEKS! Hoping to get them today.

[8filltheheart]

Hmmmm, I have never been surprised by my kids' test results. They always come back showing pretty much exactly what I know to be the case. Stronger in this subject, weaker in this, etc.

 

I have never had test results alter what I am already doing b/c I have been addressing those issues through our daily objectives.

 

I have also seen that some areas, regardless of what I do educationally, remain stronger or remain weaker simply b/c that is how they function. For example, our oldest who is now a college grad and fully employed as an engineer, when he was in 8th grade his Stanford scores came back extremely high in math, high to well above avg in everything else except for spelling. His spelling score was literally in the 3rd percentile. We had always worked on spelling, he worked on spelling until he graduated high school, and guess what, he still can't spell worth a hill of beans. His 11th grade brother has the same issue but his spelling isn't quite so bad and has seen some improvement (but it is still horrible.)

 

I guess my point is if the scores are revealing something you were completely unaware of......that would be one issue. But if the scores are really representative of your child' abilities and your homeschooling already addresses the issues educationally, why let the scores upset you? Not every child is going to be that 99% scorer (or it wouldn't be a 99% score.) My pretty close to consistent 83% scorer is probably going to achieve far more with her life than a lot of those higher scorers b/c she works hard and is incredibly diligent. She is proving it in her college classes now. Work ethic is a lot more important than a #. ;)

[Critterfixer]

At least the OP had average to above average.

Talk about wanting to adjust everything and RIGHT NOW! It's really hard to sit back, assess and think about what needs to be done while considering the factors to be taken into account. NOT fun at all.

[melmichigan]

Hmmmm, I have never been surprised by my kids' test results. They always come back showing pretty much exactly what I know to be the case. Stronger in this subject, weaker in this, etc.

 

I have never had test results alter what I am already doing b/c I have been addressing those issues through our daily objectives.

 

I have also seen that some areas, regardless of what I do educationally, remain stronger or remain weaker simply b/c that is how they function. For example, our oldest who is now a college grad and fully employed as an engineer, when he was in 8th grade his Stanford scores came back extremely high in math, high to well above avg in everything else except for spelling. His spelling score was literally in the 3rd percentile. We had always worked on spelling, he worked on spelling until he graduated high school, and guess what, he still can't spell worth a hill of beans. His 11th grade brother has the same issue but his spelling isn't quite so bad and has seen some improvement (but it is still horrible.)

 

I guess my point is if the scores are revealing something you were completely unaware of......that would be one issue. But if the scores are really representative of your child' abilities and your homeschooling already addresses the issues educationally, why let the scores upset you? Not every child is going to be that 99% scorer (or it wouldn't be a 99% score.) My pretty close to consistent 83% scorer is probably going to achieve far more with her life than a lot of those higher scorers b/c she works hard and is incredibly diligent. She is proving it in her college classes now. Work ethic is a lot more important than a #. ;)

 

 

So very true, and thank you for the reminder. It was exactly what I needed to hear right now.

 

I think I still struggle with my DD's learning disability. I always second guess myself and my abilities to do right by her when I see her twin's scores, or those of her siblings, but she is a child who will do amazing things because she works hard for each and every point.

 

 

At least the OP had average to above average.

Talk about wanting to adjust everything and RIGHT NOW! It's really hard to sit back, assess and think about what needs to be done while considering the factors to be taken into account. NOT fun at all.

 

 

:grouphug:

[melmichigan]

I'm waiting for results too. Last year his math computation was low, but he got a perfect score on problem solving (ITBS). This year I'm worried that will have flip flopped, from switching to teaching textbooks. well..not that he will have a perfect score, but I think computation will be better, and problem solving lower. But we will see. Wishing I'd done ITBS again, so I could have a true comparison. But I did the Stanford Online to have quicker results. Yeah...they say 2-3 days on their website, and it has been almost 2 WEEKS! Hoping to get them today.

 

 

We finished testing last Friday and the results were in my email yesterday. If you don't get them today I would call whomever you tested through.

[ktgrok]

We finished testing last Friday and the results were in my email yesterday. If you don't get them today I would call whomever you tested through.

 

 

Ugh, we finished the friday BEFORE that, and no test results yet. We used Abeka,a nd I've been in contact with them twice. I should have it by today was the last I heard. Who did you use?

[melmichigan]

 

 

 

Ugh, we finished the friday BEFORE that, and no test results yet. We used Abeka,a nd I've been in contact with them twice. I should have it by today was the last I heard. Who did you use?

 

We used Abeka too.

[ktgrok]

We used Abeka too.

 

Can you tell me what email address the scores came from? I swear I've checked all my email, but just in case....having the email address would let me search for it more specifically. Thanks. (although they said they were mailing them...i thought that was regular mail?)

[ktgrok]

Just talked to them. They somehow had me down for a hard copy, rather than email, hence the delay. After some complaining by me they will email me tonight.

[ktgrok]

Got them! (He did well)

[merry gardens]

Got them! (He did well)

:hurray:

[Georgiana Daniels]

Why are you taking standardized tests? Just curious. We've never done that, but I'm pretty sure if we had I'd be second-guessing myself all day long.

[ktgrok]

Why are you taking standardized tests? Just curious. We've never done that, but I'm pretty sure if we had I'd be second-guessing myself all day long.

 

For me it prevents second guessing. It would be easy for me to get paranoid at the end of the year and think, "what if we are not learning as much as we could/should?" Then I get test results back that show we are right on track with the rest of the country, and although that may or may not have true meaning, it lets me sleep at night.

[Georgiana Daniels]

 

For me it prevents second guessing. It would be easy for me to get paranoid at the end of the year and think, "what if we are not learning as much as we could/should?" Then I get test results back that show we are right on track with the rest of the country, and although that may or may not have true meaning, it lets me sleep at night.

 

 

That makes sense. It never occurred to me to do that, but I can see how it might be helpful. I might do that when we hit middle school and right before high school. At this point it would stress me out, lol.

[ktgrok]

 

That makes sense. It never occurred to me to do that, but I can see how it might be helpful. I might do that when we hit middle school and right before high school. At this point it would stress me out, lol.

 

 

yeah...we are in middle school.

[Hunter]

Testing is difficult for so many reasons.

 

First off, it's more of a COMPARISON to other children using curriculum you don't use, than a measurement of the progress YOUR child is making, though YOUR curriculum.

 

Secondly, testing is not always an accurate way to measure anything, especially when used with atypical people who respond in atypical ways.

 

It IS hard to stand strong against the chance to be validated, to instead do what you think is best. It's easier for parents/teachers whose goals are similar to those of the test makers and have children who respond the way the test makers expect them to. I had an atypical learner/responder using curriculum that wasn't typical of the PS curriculum. He got some weird and inconsistent test results. :lol:

 

Good luck whatever you do! :grouphug: