Testing? SAT, OTIS, etc.

[browneyedgirl]

This is our first year homeschooling. My kids attended private school up until now. They both tested every year there and tested very well.

This year our homeschool association has a person administering the tests, however it seems to be quite pricey. I know she was to be paid for her work in administering and I have no problem with that. But is it possible to do the test at home or how does that work.

Thanks!

[Lolly]

We order through Bob Jones and test at home with the IOWA. The BJU website has information on it and other tests available through them.

[Beth in Central TX]

Yes, you can administer the Iowa or Stanford tests through BJUP. You would have to have a 4-year degree, and 2 other non-related children would have to test with your children.

http://www.bjupress.com/services/testing/tests.html

[GVA]

BJUP sells the Iowa and Standford, Seton School sells the CAT-E, Bayside School Services sells the full CAT, and Hewitt sells the PASS. There are others too, but those are the ones that I can think of right now. You can google and find those websites and read about them.

A lot depends on what you are expecting and if you have to turn in the results. I do have to turn in my results, and I use the CAT-E for 1st - 2nd ($25) and the PASS for 3rd and up (I think about $32 if I remember). You don't have to provide diplomas etc. for those, although I am a certified Iowa tester with BJUP and could give my kids that one. It's more expensive and longer though, so I use the CAT-E and PASS.

OK, and here's the opinion of someone who has homeschooled since PK and has tested their kids each year for five years now. Frankly I'm not fond of testing. My kids get a kick out of it for some reason, and DH likes to see the results, but it never tells me anything I don't already know. To me it's time and money down the drain, but it fullfills the state requirements and is less expensive than having a professional evaluation and is less bother than a portfolio (that provision may go away anyway if the Governor signs the law that's being proposed). It does give them practice with that type of thing, although I've never done any kind of test prep with them and they still do beautifully every year. Not my favorite part of homeschooling by any means though.:)

[Laura K (NC)]

Being an administrator means that I get some discount off our own children's tests, but we administrators don't make much money for it. I'm grateful to get all my kids done at the same time, and the kids love playing together during the generous break times between sections.

I tested at home with IOWA one year, but it was stressful for me to test my own kids.

I chose the Stanford because my oldest did that test in private school and I wanted to see the scores between years for the same test. We have to test every year according to our state law.

[Beth in Central TX]

Hmmm....I'm the administrator for our Stanford tests this year for our homeschool group. I didn't know I would get a discount though. I'll have to check that out. Thanks, Laura!

[Ellie]

But is it possible to do the test at home or how does that work.

There are other tests you can purchase and administer on your own that do not require you to have either a degree or test other children. Bayside School Services (http://www.baysideschoolservices.com) is one resource for the California Achievement Test.

[Lolly]

The additional children are only for the Stanford. You can just do your own with the IOWA.

[Ellie]

The additional children are only for the Stanford. You can just do your own with the IOWA.

but you still have to have a degree. Those of us who don't can acquire tests from other sources that don't require the degree.:)

[Beth in Central TX]

Yes, I'm sorry for the confusion. My post wasn't very clear. Both requirements are for the Stanford test only.