Need Help from Veteran Homeschoolers

[MaMa2005]

This morning, I tested DS using a standardized test (based on national standards) given at the end of 2nd grade. DS passed the math with a 96% and the Reading/Language Arts with a 98%.

Now my question. Should I save this test and results in case I am questioned regarding DS's progress? I live in GA and don't even have to send a letter of intent to HS DS until he is 6. ITBS must be done starting in 3rd grade.

Also wondering if I should give him the test for third grade.

Seasoned HS's of accelerated kiddos - what do you say?

Thanks in advance

[kmacnchs]

:lurk5:

I don't see any harm saving it. We don't have to test until ours are 7 (3+ more years) and I plan on waiting until then (for $$$ reasons) but I wonder as well - when we DO test, do I test her at a 7yo level? or at whatever level she is working on at home?

[EKS]

I always keep the results from any test I give my children as I often find having them useful later. I would indicate on the results somewhere if he worked under standard conditions (for example, whether you timed him if the test had a time limit) and if there were deviations from standard conditions what they were. This wouldn't be for anyone's eyes but yours, but it's nice to have a record if you're ever trying to remember exactly what you did later.

[8FillTheHeart]

If you are really interested in just how high his level is, I would suggest finding someone qualified to give the Kaufman test. (It shouldn't cost you more than $30 or so.....not like psy evaluations.) The testing is done one on one, orally, and the student progresses until they miss a certain number of questions . So.....he could keep progressing through 5th-6th+ grade level questions if he can answer them.

http://www.cps.nova.edu/~cpphelp/KTEA.html

[Karin]

Any time I've tested any of my dc, I've kept the results. Are these percentages the grades or are they percentiles? Either means a good result, but I would never change my dc's grade level based on the kinds of tests where they scored 99 percentile & the same as a 10th grader, because it merely means that the average 10th grader would have scored the same on that exact test. You may already know this, of course.

We've also saved our dc's work in the attic in case we ever need to prove we've done something. Right now I'm thinking about getting rid of my dd's work for the first few years of homeschooling, because, for eg, if I have my eldest's Algebra & Geometry work, I don't think I'd need to prove that she did the prerequisite arithmetic.

[MaMa2005]

If you are really interested in just how high his level is, I would suggest finding someone qualified to give the Kaufman test. (It shouldn't cost you more than $30 or so.....not like psy evaluations.) The testing is done one on one, orally, and the student progresses until they miss a certain number of questions . So.....he could keep progressing through 5th-6th+ grade level questions if he can answer them.

http://www.cps.nova.edu/~cpphelp/KTEA.html (http://www.cps.nova.edu/%7Ecpphelp/KTEA.html)

I have a Ph.D in special education (but have been retired from teaching for 10 years) so I am qualified to give any test. However, my expertise is in LD/BD/IRR/PD, not the gifted side of the spectrum. Guess I need to go look through some old college notes :001_huh:.

Any time I've tested any of my dc, I've kept the results. Are these percentages the grades or are they percentiles? Either means a good result, but I would never change my dc's grade level based on the kinds of tests where they scored 99 percentile & the same as a 10th grader, because it merely means that the average 10th grader would have scored the same on that exact test. You may already know this, of course.

We've also saved our dc's work in the attic in case we ever need to prove we've done something. Right now I'm thinking about getting rid of my dd's work for the first few years of homeschooling, because, for eg, if I have my eldest's Algebra & Geometry work, I don't think I'd need to prove that she did the prerequisite arithmetic.

Definitely not trying to change his grade level, just trying to get a handle on where he is. He has progressed so fast this year that it has thrown me for a loop. I had no idea he was as bright as this year has confirmed.

Thanks for your replies. Our homeschool convention is in a couple of weeks and I am really looking forward to seeing what is available for gifted education.

To say the least, I am getting a new education this year :D.

[Karin]

I have a Ph.D in special education (but have been retired from teaching for 10 years) so I am qualified to give any test. However, my expertise is in LD/BD/IRR/PD, not the gifted side of the spectrum. Guess I need to go look through some old college notes :001_huh:.

To say the least, I am getting a new education this year :D.

Enjoy! Each of my dc has taught me something else. One interesting book is Educating Your Gifted Child. Had I known your background, I wouldn't have mentioned what I did about the testing, since you know more about that than I do.

IMO, gifted dc also require special education, but in a different vein :) and modified for each dc. I have learned a great deal from this forum, and especially the old WTM AL Boards, chiefly because they were up when my dc were younger and now I spend more time on the high school forum when I need advice since my eldest is in hs.