Does everyone test?

[Jo Anna]

Do all of you get your children tested yearly? If so is it required by your state or is it done for your own records?

My state doesn't require that you test or anything like that. All I have to do is turn in a letter of intent and a outline of my curriculum yearly.

They do offer if I want to have my son take the PAWS testing, but I did not really think it was right for him yet. He is still "behind" to there standards and I don't want him to feel any worse about this. He has been working and progressing very well since I took him out of school and I thought that if he did not do very well on the test he would not feel as good about his progress as he does now.
(I hope I am doing the right thing on not having him take the test this year:confused: )

[Deena]

Oh, I think it's absolutely fine not to test if your state does not require it! You hit the nail on the hed when you said he may not feel as good about his progress. HE is the one that matters in this! I think you are doing the right thing not to test, because that is what's best for your son!

In Washington state we DO have to test yearly---starting in 3rd grade I believe. We also do a letter of intent---which is writing my children's names, what grade they will be in, and signing my name. That's it! I can handle that! :) We do the ITBS, because I proctor the homeschoolers taking it at a local Christian school, and my kids used to get tested for free because of that. Now they charge me $5 a child to test them this year. I can handle that too! :)

Anyway, make it as easy on him right now as you can, and let him gain some victories. Somewhere down the road, if you or your son feel he should be tested, THEN test him. Otherwise, as I said earlier, if it's not required then I wouldn't do it!

By the way, what is PAWS testing?

[the sneaky mama]

The absolute 1st year that I have to test is 5th grade so that's when I'll start. I am generally opposed to testing. ;-)

[Magic]

We have to test in third grade and every other year after that. I have my boys test in the other grades as well- since I have at least one boy that does need to test every year. I do not submit the test scores to the school district unless it is required for that year.

[Jo Anna]

PAWS - proficiency assessment for Wyoming students.

It is wyomings basic testing in public schools. They used to use the Caranova (think I misspelled that) and another one but I forgot the name of that one.

[Deena]

Ohhh okay. Ours for Washington state is called the WASL. I think it's Washington Assessment of Student Learning??? Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong.

Homeschoolers are not required to take it though, since it's an assessment of how ps's are doing.

We are not required, ever, to submit anything to the school district---no schoolwork, tests or anything. Well, they want the Letter of Intent, but that's all. Why would the school district want Homeschoolers test scores?

[MelissainMi]

Michigan does not require us to test. Im not sure if I'll have Madison tested along the way.

[missinseattle]

we have to test here yearly starting with 1st grade.

Would be nice to live somewhere that all we had to do was turn in an NOI and description, here requires those two things plus testing, every year lol.

[Jo Anna]

wyoming is like washington we do not have to turn in anything except the letter and well a basic of our curriculum (list of books we will use works perfect). No records nothing. Now that you mention it I have no idea why they would have homeschoolers be in with the ps scores or any of that? Probably because they don't have another test for hs to take here. We are still a little behind the times here, just not enough people I guess, not that - that is a bad thing.

[Earthy]

No tests required here. We can if we want to though.

I asked this a while back:

http://www.homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?t=5677

[INmom]

No tests required in Indiana. That being said, I did have my kids take the CAT/5 test last fall just for our own benefit. We wanted to see how they did. They scored very well, and I probably won't have them test again for a few years...as SAT and ACT's loom.

Carol

[Ava Rose]

Testing is one of three options for homeschoolers in Ohio. In the beginning of the year we have to send a letter of intent and at the end of the year we have three options to conclude that year. Testing is one of those options. We can also write a portfolio or get a teacher eval.

[momothem]

Required here in NC.

[KrisRV]

we don't have to test here, but I do once every 2 years just to see where the girls are and where we have to work.

[rmcx5]

We live in VA and are required to test annually if we file under the Home School statutes. Those filing under Religious Exemption aren't required too (but many, many do anyway).

[Emma's#1fan]

Ems has been required to test for the past four years. California does not require it unless the homeschooler is under a program that requires it.
Patty

[dalynnrmc]

Texas, as you all know, requires a big fat NOTHING ever. :lol:

We've only hs for a year now anyway, but no, I probably won't be testing any time soon. I might test before 9th grade just to be sure we're on track, but I'll just do it here on our own and see how he does. They'll probably ask some things we havne't covered, and he'll probably know in much more detail about some things than they require. I'll probably do it at some point just to get an idea, but no, in general.... Teaching to the test does not appeal to me, and it's probably what I'd end up doing if I knew he'd take a test!

[crazymama]

Here in PA we are required to have our children tested in 3rd, 5th and 8th grades.. and I will comply with those. I have thought about testing everyyear just for my own knowledge, but probably won't do anymore than is required.

I was offered by the school to let my son go there and take the test.. then I learned that the school gets grants based on it's test scores.. sorry they are not getting money for using my son! I will have his nana give him the test in his own home!

[CelticRose]

Queensland, my home state, requires testing in grades
2, 5 & 7 ~ so we are due this year. As we don't use a Govt., curriculum & my daughter is working across four grade levels I think this is a massive waste of our time. Nothing I can do about it so she will take the tests & I'll pretty much ignore them & rely on the internal, ongoing testing that is standard with most of her curriculum.

[Deena]

Queensland, my home state, requires testing in grades
2, 5 & 7 ~ so we are due this year. As we don't use a Govt., curriculum & my daughter is working across four grade levels I think this is a massive waste of our time. Nothing I can do about it so she will take the tests & I'll pretty much ignore them & rely on the internal, ongoing testing that is standard with most of her curriculum.
Exactly! Homeschoolers often work on different levels, so to take a certain grade level test is interesting, but what can ya do. I don't put much into the testing, and my kids enjoy the change, have fun with the tests, and always do well. So, whatever... :)

[MonkeyMamma]

No I don't test. You only have to test here if using something like K12 which is basically public school at home. I could have her tested but I'd have to pay for it. I wouldn't test her unless I had to.

In Texas the test is called the TAKS test and actually they will be phasing this out over the next few years and only do end of year exams. At least that is what I heard recently on the news.

[*Angie*]

There is no mandatory testing in my province. In fact, there isn't even any available testing here for homeschoolers. All that's required is to submit an intent to homeschool.

My sister in law is an elementary school teacher, who's sending her son to a private school. She plans on testing her son every year (as she has access to all the standardized tests), and has offered to test my children as well, which we'll probably do. Mostly for my own peace of mind that they're progressing like they should.

[missinseattle]

I think the reasons they require testing in some states is it so make sure we're "doing our job". Here if you child doesn't meet the minimum requirement they may have to go back to regular school.

[Earthy]

PASS from Hewitt - hewitthomeschooling.com $35
http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/test/tmain.asp

Peabody or CAT -from Seton $30

CAT -from Family Learning Org $35
-Usually get results within two weeks.

WRAT Wide Range Achievement Test

NYS State Assessment Tests Practice
http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html

Free Testing
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.a...aks/index.html
-This one seems pretty cool