If your state has no testing requirements . . .

[UrbanSue]

. . . do you think there is benefit to doing some kind of standardized testing anyway?

 

I'm not that interested in checking my kids' grade levels or anything, I'm more concerned with the cya aspect. I'm in New Jersey where there is no home school regulation at all, which is great. But I think that the big legislation void is very tempting to fill and there seem to be fairly frequent attempts to get more oversight on the books (any other NJers who have better info and want to weigh in, I'm all ears!).

 

I'm slowly getting better at some basic record keeping of what we've accomplished and days we've "done school" but I wonder if some kind of test scores at select points would be wise.

 

Thoughts?

[texasmama]

I wouldn't do testing in anticipation of the laws/regulations changing, personally.

 

Texas is a no regulation state, and I choose to have my kids take the Stanford starting in 4th or 5th grade simply for my own information/feedback. It is offered through our co-op, and it costs $33 per student. If I had to pay more or go to trouble to find a testing site or be certified to give the test myself (not difficult but it is another process), I'd be less likely to do it.

[Lizzie in Ma]

We have a few reporting options here and I have always used a written narrative of progress for the school. I have also had my kids take the Stanford 10's every year since 3rd grade. I just wanted a baseline for myself. Our homeschool group does them every year.

[Ellie]

. . . do you think there is benefit to doing some kind of standardized testing anyway?

 

I'm not that interested in checking my kids' grade levels or anything, I'm more concerned with the cya aspect. I'm in New Jersey where there is no home school regulation at all, which is great. But I think that the big legislation void is very tempting to fill and there seem to be fairly frequent attempts to get more oversight on the books (any other NJers who have better info and want to weigh in, I'm all ears!).

 

I'm slowly getting better at some basic record keeping of what we've accomplished and days we've "done school" but I wonder if some kind of test scores at select points would be wise.

 

Thoughts?

 

No, I don't think there's any benefit, not for children younger than, oh, 12 or 13yo, and that's only because so many people put their dc in high school instead of hsing all the way, and having test scores in the records given to the school helps the school assess the children's academic achievements.

 

If NJ were to make actual homeschool laws that require testing, you can start testing then. There won't be a need for retroactive test scores.

[Farrar]

We did a practice one this year just to introduce the idea. I may buy a "real" normed test next year for fourth grade or I may hold off another year or so. If you do it, do it for your own reasons. I think it's fine to wait. No one wants to have a 16 yo who has never taken a standardized test facing down the SAT's as their dry run, but there's so much room in there before that.

 

We keep a portfolio, which I do to help check in for myself how we're progressing. The kids choose their own sample work. I write up a little assessment. Next year, they have to start writing self-assessments. It helps us stop and reflect and see that we're doing a lot without being too burdensome. For me, that's the *real* assessment - not any testing scores.

[Murphy101]

My state doesn't require any of it.

 

Every other year, I do the ITBS just out of personal curiosity and bc someone local started offering it at a very reasonable price. It's nifty to have on file just in case I ever need some kind of proof I'm not neglecting them I suppose or if we ever had to move to a state more strict.

 

Starting at the end of 8th grade, I have them take the ACT until we get the score we feel good about.

 

I don't think there is any benefit whatsoever to my kids for any of it. These things aren't for the students. At best it is a possible evaluation tool for/of the teacher. Maybe. Most colleges require either ACT or SAT, so I do it for that reason and that reason only.

 

So far, I was able to tell within a couple points where every one of my kids would place before they took the test. So the tests didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.

[Crimson Wife]

I wouldn't do it for CYA purposes, but I do use an above-level ITBS for planning and talent search qualification.

[EKS]

I find doing standardized testing quite valuable and I would do it even if my state didn't require it. In fact, I didn't homeschool this past year and I still gave my younger son the ITBS because I wanted that continuity of scores.

 

I wouldn't get as much information from having someone else administer the tests. I find it instructive to see how my studnet responds to each subtest--Is he stressed? Did he need to use all of the time available? Did the test seem ridiculously easy to him? Then I go through and try to detect if there is a pattern in the mistakes. Did he miss all of the comma questions? Can he not detect overcapitalization? Did he miss all of the long division questions? Or whatever. The ITBS does break a lot of this out, but it is better to see the actual questions missed (and the actual questions that were correct).

 

I also feel there is value to practicing taking standardized tests. Like it or not, high stakes tests are of the standardized variety (as they should be), and it is critical that children in our society know how to take them.

[GailV]

 

 

I also feel there is value to practicing taking standardized tests. Like it or not, high stakes tests are of the standardized variety (as they should be), and it is critical that children in our society know how to take them.

 

 

:iagree:

 

Our state doesn't require standardized tests for homeschoolers. We do tests every year just so my kids are used to taking bubble tests. We have a lot of discussions about test-taking strategies, whether the authors actually expect someone a certain age to be able to answer all of the questions, whether we should study subjects that came up on the test that we haven't covered in our school, etc. etc.

 

Older dd has moved on to taking the ACT, her driving test, and a myriad of other tests that crop up as a teen navigates their way into adulthood.

 

 

A few months ago a friend had her middle-school-aged child take a test to place into a program he was interested in, and he pretty much bombed it. She thought it was because he'd never taken a test before.

[soufflegirl]

I can't see states retroactively coming after people for test scores. They have enough problems as it is.

 

Mine are still too young for standardized tests, but if I'm still homeschooling then, I would consider giving them, just to have a reference point and for the kids to have some experience with the format.

 

Record keeping I would do regardless of what the state required, but that's more a personality quirk on my part. I like having everything in one place and knowing what was done when.

[bobbeym]

Our homeschool group offers IOWA testing every year for those that want to take it. Many of the families have their kids test up through 8th grade. I would guess it's for their own reassurance since testing isn't required in Texas, but I've never asked. The high school kids usually just stick with the PSAT/SAT/ACT/CLEPs from what I've seen.

[UrbanSue]

I guess I'm not worried specifically about being retroactively punished should legislation be passed in the future, though I realize my initial post sounded that way. I guess . . . just more generally, should I get my kids used to testing? Because the state might require it before long or because they'll need to do SATs and whatnot down the road. And it sounds like most of you are saying, yes, there is value to a child learning how to do this. My oldest will be in 4th grade next year and I have vaguely thought for awhile that 4th grade might be a good time to try one.

 

If I'm just doing it for practice, can we just get a practice test and score it ourselves?

[boscopup]

I will likely test in 4th grade. I meant to do it last year, and never got around to ordering the test. :tongue_smilie: I suppose I could still order the test, but meh... I'll do it next year. :lol:

 

My state doesn't require it, but a lot of folks here still take the SAT10 (what public and private schools here use). A friend mentioned that the honors track at some of the local public schools are based on 4th grade SAT10 scores, so it might be a good idea to have those on file if the kid ever goes to public school.

 

If my state does ever require testing, I am not at all worried about my kids passing it the first time. And like EKS, I think there could be value in giving a test myself and seeing exactly where the child has any struggles. Sending your child off to test with a group may not yield as useful data.

[petepie2]

Our state (NC) requires testing, but I tested both of my oldest in 1st grade. They were both 6 yrs old and below the required age (7), but I did it anyway. We use the Woodcock-Johnson and it's been interesting to see how my oldest has improved each year. I like having the standard as a consistent means to measure improvement.

[Alessandra]

. . . do you think there is benefit to doing some kind of standardized testing anyway?

 

I'm not that interested in checking my kids' grade levels or anything, I'm more concerned with the cya aspect. I'm in New Jersey where there is no home school regulation at all, which is great. But I think that the big legislation void is very tempting to fill and there seem to be fairly frequent attempts to get more oversight on the books (any other NJers who have better info and want to weigh in, I'm all ears!).

 

I'm slowly getting better at some basic record keeping of what we've accomplished and days we've "done school" but I wonder if some kind of test scores at select points would be wise.

 

Thoughts?

 

I'm in NJ too. I try to do some objective testing in general in core subjects. But I do it so *I* can get feedback on strong and weak areas. I do keep records of what we do, just in case I am questioned.

 

But a standardized grade level test would be a total waste for my dd, as she has special needs and we are spending as much time as it takes getting the basics rock solid, before doing grade level work on a shaky foundation. I would, however, LOVE to have a WJ III test done by a private practitioner, just for me.

[Bearcat]

We have a choice, test or portfolio. So far I've gone with testing. I order through Family Learning Organization and proctor the tests at home. I use them strictly to make the state happy and they have no bearing on how we homeschool. All our scores have been in the 97th or 99th percentile which I imagine would mean something if we were in ps but I just tell my kids good job and go on with what we are doing. Even if the scores were lower I would still say good job and continue on.

I don't to portfolios because I don't want to take the time to organize paper work, drive to meet an assessor, take the time to sit and chat and go over everything etc etc. Testing is easier and faster.

[Ellie]

I guess I'm not worried specifically about being retroactively punished should legislation be passed in the future, though I realize my initial post sounded that way. I guess . . . just more generally, should I get my kids used to testing? Because the state might require it before long or because they'll need to do SATs and whatnot down the road. And it sounds like most of you are saying, yes, there is value to a child learning how to do this. My oldest will be in 4th grade next year and I have vaguely thought for awhile that 4th grade might be a good time to try one.

 

If I'm just doing it for practice, can we just get a practice test and score it ourselves?

 

 

no, you don't need to get your kids used to testing. Don't plan for what the state might or might not require at some unspecified time in the future.

 

SATs are different. Your dc might or might not ever take those, but if they do, there are practice tests you can do ahead of time...not several years ahead of time.

[Homemama2]

We did them for the first time this year (5th and 3rd). I did them mainly to give them experience with the "testing under pressure" aspect. Having to have a specific time limit, having no outside help if you have a question, filling in bubbles in the right order (this was a biggie for one of my kids who never does problems in the order that they're listed)....these are all things that are simple, yet can be frustrating if you've never done them. Also, what do you do when you're facing problems that you've never seen? Do you sit there for twenty minutes trying to work on it, or do you move on? Or should you just guess? Stuff like that. I'm hoping this will all be second nature by the SAT's/ACT's, so the only things they are worrying about are the questions. :) But I think taking the practice tests only could give the same benefits.

[NittanyJen]

Our state requires nothing. I give the Stanford Achievement Test for three reasons:

 

1. I do want an objective measure of year to year growth

 

2. In the unlikely event that life forces us to replace the kids in school, they may assist with proper placement.

 

3. I make note of any difficulty one of my kids has completing it under standard conditions (ie how long does he take). More important tests later require, among other things, a history of test accommodations. Technically, the test is untimed, but noting a need to take 2X the suggested times is worthwhile.

 

 

[Julie Smith]

Not standardized testing, but I do plan to have my kids get experience in taking tests in a formal setting.

 

For them as I see it right now that will be piano RCM exams and the various math tests that start at age 12 (I think). I just want them to experience different testing environments so they get use to them.

 

The RCM exam is, I think good experience of a one on one exam. The math ones good experience of sitting in a large quiet classroom writing answers on paper, multiple choice...

 

 

[Laura Corin]

We used the Texas TAKS tests, which are freely available online. I mostly did it to make the in-laws more comfortable and to give Calvin some test-taking experience. When the boys were the right age, I gave them past UK educational testing (again freely available online). In this case it was to give me confidence that they were doing fine, and again to be able to talk to worried relatives. Before the boys went into private school, I had them do quite a lot of practice tests so that the placement testing was familiar to them.

 

L

[Erin]

. . . do you think there is benefit to doing some kind of standardized testing anyway?

Yes.

Standardized tests are supposed to be use to evaluate teachers, not the students. So as a teacher, both homeschool and public, I like that tool to assess my own efficacy. I test annually, though it's not required.

[AngieW in Texas]

I had my kids do standardized testing at least every 2nd year starting in 3rd or 4th grade just so their first experience with standardized testing wouldn't be the PSAT.

 

At first, I just tested my own kids at home, but then I started testing for a small group of hsers 1x/year. They all had fun and looked forward to it every year (after we were doing it with a group, not before). We did the testing over 3 days in one week. My oldest did the testing in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades (was in ps for 6th and 7th grades). My middle did testing for 4th-8th grades. My youngest did testing for 3rd-8th grades.

 

I think this was especially important for my middle dd. I had to go back and fix her bubbles every year up until 7th grade. She has fine motor delays and filling in those little bubbles was really hard for her. The first time she took the ITBS, the timer went off on one section with one problem left. She had a sobbing fit for about 20 minutes because it was wrong to leave something blank. The second time, she took it in stride. I was doing testing for a group by the 3rd time she took the test and everything was much easier for her at that point.

 

I sometimes found a gap that I didn't realize existed, so I worked on that over the next year.

[Spy Car]

I'm not a "homeschooler" so take it as you will, but I'd want to take standardized tests for a number of reasons. One to access the student, two to access the teacher, and third (most critically) to get the students used to taking standardized tests.

 

Like it or not, "testing" and "test scores" are the gateway to university admissions and other life opportunities.

 

Like most of you (I'm sure) I have a pretty good handle on what my kid knows (or doesn't know). But being able to show results on a test is another kind of skill. Mine is sometimes prone to blow through directions and not answer the question that's being asked. So practice—and slowing down to see really get what is being asked—has been important in improving the "test taking skills," and the results.

 

I don't confuse good test taking skills with good education, but until tests are not highly determinate of people's life opportunities, I think it's a good idea to build these skills early.

 

That's just me.

 

Bill

[Desert Strawberry]

If you want objective evaluation of your child's learning compared with his /her peers, yes. Otherwise, no. We don't do anything resembling a test. We have no need.

[PhotoGal]

This is an interesting topic. I tested my kids at home last year just to see how homeschool was going compared to their previous school. But this year I didn't. Every other year might work for us.

 

What do you all think about taking tests online versus bubble tests? I was thinking of having ds take the Stanford test online at the end of next year, but that obviously wouldn't give him practice filling in bubbles in a test sheet. Are most tests moving to the computer? I think the SAT is on the computer now, is that right?

[AngieW in Texas]

The SAT and the PSAT are still scantron-based. In order for them to move to computers, schools would have to have enough computers for everybody to take the tests at the same time.

[GoVanGogh]

I'm not a "homeschooler" so take it as you will, but I'd want to take standardized tests for a number of reasons. One to access the student, two to access the teacher, and third (most critically) to get the students used to taking standardized tests.

 

Like it or not, "testing" and "test scores" are the gateway to university admissions and other life opportunities.

 

Like most of you (I'm sure) I have a pretty good handle on what my kid knows (or doesn't know). But being able to show results on a test is another kind of skill. Mine is sometimes prone to blow through directions and not answer the question that's being asked. So practice—and slowing down to see really get what is being asked—has been important in improving the "test taking skills," and the results.

 

I don't confuse good test taking skills with good education, but until tests are not highly determinate of people's life opportunities, I think it's a good idea to build these skills early.

 

That's just me.

 

Bill

:iagree: especially the bolded part

 

Wanted to add:

In my son's case, having the standardized test results helped me pinpoint where he was struggling and gave me something concrete to work with and, later, use for the basis of further evaluations. When we did need to turn to specialists for help, having those test scores gave me credence.

 

One of the more important thing that I realized through standardized testing was that my son cannot track from the test book to the scantron sheet, nor can he move his wrists to fill in the bubbles. Those seem like minor things, but were important to the neuromuscular disorder he was later diagnosed with. I am thankful to realize those issues now and not at the PSAT.

 

(We are in a non-testing state.)

[UrbanSue]

:iagree: especially the bolded part

 

Wanted to add:

In my son's case, having the standardized test results helped me pinpoint where he was struggling and gave me something concrete to work with and, later, use for the basis of further evaluations. When we did need to turn to specialists for help, having those test scores gave me credence.

 

One of the more important thing that I realized through standardized testing was that my son cannot track from the test book to the scantron sheet, nor can he move his wrists to fill in the bubbles. Those seem like minor things, but were important to the neuromuscular disorder he was later diagnosed with. I am thankful to realize those issues now and not at the PSAT.

 

(We are in a non-testing state.)

 

 

 

This is a concern I have as well. My oldest has special needs (he's in a wheelchair) and it's not clear yet whether he has any diagnosable learning disabilities. He's definitely a very quirky learner but, so far, we've been able to tweak things and work with him just fine. But I'd kind of like to give him some of these "standard normal-school" challenges because I know that, in many ways, that is the standard he will be judged by if he ends up going to school at some point and, certainly, for college.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

ACT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT, ASVAB.....

 

Testing, and test taking skills, are something kids will encounter as they get older. It helps to know well in advance how to take the test, so the the time taking a test is spent focusing on what is being asked.

 

Also, testing can help identify strengths, weaknesses or gaps in learning to use in deciding educational goals.

[GoVanGogh]

This is a concern I have as well. My oldest has special needs (he's in a wheelchair) and it's not clear yet whether he has any diagnosable learning disabilities. He's definitely a very quirky learner but, so far, we've been able to tweak things and work with him just fine. But I'd kind of like to give him some of these "standard normal-school" challenges because I know that, in many ways, that is the standard he will be judged by if he ends up going to school at some point and, certainly, for college.

We thought we were dealing with a learning difference, such as dysgraphia. Our first OT kept saying he needed vision therapy, but doctors were saying he didn't need it. In the end, DS has a physical disability. He was actually screened for this disorder as a toddler, but we were told he didn't have it. In reality, he was screened too young for the variation he has. Doctors since then have screened and tested all the way around the actual condition, but never put the pieces together to realize he had what was originally thought.

DS is a quirky learner, too.

Without the standardized testing results showing such a wide gap between strengths and weaknesses, I really don't know that I would have put the pieces together myself and pushed - again - for the original screening.

[Desert Strawberry]

At what age is "learning to test " appropriate?

My oldest is 10. His learning problems have long ago been identified and dealt with. My husband would like to see how he measures against his peers, but I admit, I don't want to put my high-anxiety kid through unnecessary testing.

I can see the value in acquiring testing skills. However, I would want the testing to be age and developmentally appropriate. Testing a kindergartener or first grader is unnecessary and unhelpful. I was thinking closer to high school age would be the right time?

[texasmama]

At what age is "learning to test " appropriate?

My oldest is 10. His learning problems have long ago been identified and dealt with. My husband would like to see how he measures against his peers, but I admit, I don't want to put my high-anxiety kid through unnecessary testing.

I can see the value in acquiring testing skills. However, I would want the testing to be age and developmentally appropriate. Testing a kindergartener or first grader is unnecessary and unhelpful. I was thinking closer to high school age would be the right time?

This is a very individual decision, but I started testing my oldest homeschooled student in fifth grade. He needs to practice taking tests in order to learn how to take tests, specific to his needs. My other two homeschooled students likely do not, but it certainly will not harm them. I do not want the lack of familiarity with standardized tests to be a stumbling block for my kids. I have easy access through our homeschool co-op to the Stanford, though, so it is not a hard decision to make for me.

 

The testing has been very helpful and, thusfar, not stressful for my kids. I tell them that it is for information to me on how well I am covering needed material. Of course, it is more than that, but it is certainly that. I do not regret testing at all. My younger son took the Stanford this past spring, in fourth grade. My rising second grader has never taken a standardized test and will likely not until 4th grade.

[boscopup]

My oldest is 10. His learning problems have long ago been identified and dealt with. My husband would like to see how he measures against his peers, but I admit, I don't want to put my high-anxiety kid through unnecessary testing.

 

Would testing more often in relaxed situations help avoid test anxiety?

 

My oldest can do tests (math, spelling, etc.) with no fear, but he doesn't know that tests are scary, kwim? He just has no concept of people fearing tests, so it's just another thing to him. I tested my anxious kid when he finished Singapore 1A - used the placement test for that. He didn't get anxious, because to him, it was just another worksheet. I think one of the keys to being non-anxious about a test is for it to be something they do regularly (thus the early grade testing that some people do), so that it becomes no big deal.

 

In your case, you could use some of the free online tests - TAKS, FCAT, etc. Just do it at home, no time limit, no pressure. Maybe give one every few months. Then when he's used to that and doesn't seem to get anxious about it, try a real test (maybe the SAT10, which is also untimed) - still at home, so it's low pressure. Gradually move up to taking a test in a small group and doing timed tests.

 

I can't imagine taking an anxious kid and suddenly giving them a test in high school when they've never had one before. That just sounds like a recipe for disaster! Start now, slowly and gradually, and YOU act like it's no big deal to take a test.

[melmichigan]

My kids are tested. They are professionally tested every two years beginning in third grade. On the opposite year they take the Stanford 10, or talent search with the Explore/ACT/SAT depending on their age and ability. There is great value in getting used to standardized testing.

 

I agree with Bill, I am also testing myself.

[Tracy]

My oldest is 2E, and she would need some sort of accommodations to take a standardized test, and we haven't had her tested yet. And even with accommodations, a multiple choice test would be a very poor measure of what she can do, because she would agonize over every choice. So I am not in any hurry to have her take a standardized test. I would prefer to wait until middle school age when she will be more mature and able to develop some better coping skills for test-taking. I would have no particular qualms about testing my younger ds5, but he is obviously ahead, so I wouldn't see the point.

[Berta]

When we lived in NJ the homeschool group we belonged to offered the IOWA testing. It was our 2nd year of homeschooling and I had both of my girls take the test. I did it to shut up my MIL. Both of my girls tested 2 grade levels above where they were and my younger daughter actually tested 3 grades above in one of the sections. My MIL has never said a negative word to us about homeschooling since. I also want to add that the test results came to me, not any school district or anywhere else.

 

We moved to SC three years ago and we belong to a homeschool association which does not require testing.