Standardized testing to meet state requirements

[mommysweird]

For those of you who have to test for state requirements, which test do you use and why? We live in NC. We have to test every year and keep the records. I have a son technically in 1st grade who is pretty much on grade level with language arts, but behind on math (he's just not a math thinker yet). I think giving it myself (rather than someone else administering it) this first year would be less stressful for him, and I don't have a 4 year degree, so I know that leaves out one of them, but I can't remember which one.

 

Which ones do you use and why? The ones recommended by the state are the CAT, the Woodcock-Johnson, the IOWA - are there any I don't know of? I am only doing this to meet state requirements. The results of the test are not important to me because I have seen the progress he has made.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Ellie]

You need a degree to buy the IOWA.

 

In NC you only have to keep the results for one year. :-)

 

I would probably buy the CAT, 'cuz it's easy to obtain. There's someone in Kill Devil Hills who sells it--Bayside School Services. Maybe you could pick it up in person and have an Outer Banks field trip.:D

[plimsoll]

We're in PA. We use the CAT-E because it's inexpensive, meets the state requirement, and takes minimal time away from our son's actual education.

[jonnia]

The CAT is simple to obtain and simple to administer. It's also not terribly long, which was a big consideration for using with my first grader. We got ours from Seton Testing Services: http://www.setontesting.com/

[mommysweird]

Thanks! I was thinking the CAT, too. One more question. What's the difference between the CAT/5 or the CAT/E or any other extension of the CAT? Do they test different things?

[Narrow Gate Academy]

The CAT is simple to obtain and simple to administer. It's also not terribly long, which was a big consideration for using with my first grader. We got ours from Seton Testing Services: http://www.setontesting.com/

 

:iagree: This is what we do as well. The service at Seton has been great.

[jonesloonybin]

The CAT is simple to obtain and simple to administer. It's also not terribly long, which was a big consideration for using with my first grader. We got ours from Seton Testing Services: http://www.setontesting.com/

 

:iagree:

 

We also use Seton for our testing. They are great. Very prompt about mailing you the test and getting the results back.

[gardening momma]

In Ohio, whether we go with standardized testing or a written narrative, they both need to be submitted to the school district. For the testing, hslda says that one of the options for the test administrator is a "person duly authorized by the publisher of the test."

 

I just want to be sure that this means that if the test publisher says the parent can administer the test, then this will be acceptable to the school district under Ohio law. Right? Because this is what I'd rather do if I go with the testing option.

 

Edit: From what I've found, it looks like the CAT/5 is the only one a parent can administer to a K student? The other ones either are for older grades or require a degree to administer.

Edited March 11, 2009 by gardening momma

[Spock]

 

Edit: From what I've found, it looks like the CAT/5 is the only one a parent can administer to a K student? The other ones either are for older grades or require a degree to administer.

 

Any college degree, with any major, is sufficient to administer the Iowa test at home. However, a college degree is required.

 

I prefer the Iowa to the CAT. (I do not use the shortened CAT sold by Seton, though it is acceptable to NC. I like having all the subject areas in the full Iowa or CAT.) I have used CAT twice, and both times I disliked it.

 

I particularly dislike the 2nd grade CAT, because CAT starts having time limits in 2nd grade, while Iowa for 2nd grade is untimed (and thus less stressful).