My son is in first grade right now. I know I don't have to submit test scores or evaluations until late spring, but I was looking over all the possible tests to give my son, and couldn't decide. There are so many options. I'd love one I can administer, though my sister-in-law would administer one without charging for it (she's a licensed educator). When I saw they take 2-3 days though, I thought that would be a lot of traveling that I think we'd both like to avoid, or it could impact my son's scores because there's no way he'd be able to concentrate on his test when his cousins are in town. What tests do you have your children take, and what are the pros and cons? What are the costs involved with the particular test?
Thanks for any info you can give!
*Wanted to add that our school system requires proof of the child being educated annually starting the first spring after the child is 6 by August 30 (or something like that). It means I have to submit proof this spring that he is actually being taught and he is learning. If I claimed religious exemption, I wouldn't have to, but that's not why I'm homeschooling, so I didn't submit it as that.
Thanks, ladies! I found the Seton CAT last night, too, but almost didn't want to say anything to see what people suggested first. I'll go with that. I really appreciate all the help!
If you are in VA, and really want to test instead of using the evaluation by someone with a Master's Degree in an academic field option, I suggest using the CAT available from Seton. We used it when we first started homeschooling because it is only $25, you get to administer it at home, and they have a rapid turnaround time - usually less than a week - in getting the scores back to you.
We've used Iowa test . . . I'm not sure if they go all the way down to 1st grade though. We used to do that one in private school, and then one of my homeschoolers did it through a private school co-op.
Are you a member of a support group? I might ask around there, too, for ideas on how you can meet state/county requirements. Here in Florida you can also do a portfolio review (so you don't necessarily have to test, though we have).
Good luck.
PS: It's very wise to think ahead the way you are. Great job!
The CAT is inexpensive and easy to administer, I used the K test with my son just to see how he'd do. It is available through Seton Testing for $25. http://www.setontesting.com/
The Iowa test costs a bit more, $43 at Brewer Testing Services,
[ http://www.brewertesting.com ] but has several subtests and is more comprehensive. It is also easy to give. I used this this one last year to see where he was and to help bump up his score. He is not as good at math as the other subjects.
We are going to use an evaluator this year, because he is just too hard to keep focused on (as he calls it) a stupid circle test. (And my husband and I literally wanted to pull out our hair) You know your son best, if he is a worksheet kid, the CAT will be a breeze. If he's a bit squirrely like mine, an evaluation is probably better.
Why do you need to give your 1st grade son a standardized test? I noticed you say that you don't have to until "late spring"?Is it a requirement in your state right now?
My kid is also a home schooled kid, he is in 6th grade and he started taking standardized test just in 3rd grade. If you are home schooling, you may want to wait until he is ready..he is little....
