Living in a regulation state and taking state tests (M)

[one l michele]

Do you find yourself covering more subjects and at more detail then you would in a lower regulated and non testing state? Perhaps that is one reason I'm drawn to a more "schoolish" style and worried about covering everythign. Dh also uses these tests as a guage of how well I am doing, since he's not very supportive of homeschooling, I do worry about the boys having a solid foundation to do well on those tests.

[Sue G in PA]

The reason I hate them is b/c they are meant to test the SCHOOLS not the students. How well a school district's students do on those test determines how much or less money they get. Dh is/was a public school teacher and all the tests do is guage if a school is "educating" their students "correctly'. That being said, I do care how well my dc are doing. I feel like I can be a better judge than a silly test of how well my own dc are doing. Also, our state started putting science on the standardized tests. WHAT? So, now, if I want my dc to "pass" that section I have to teach the specific topics that will be covered on the tests each year. I REFUSE! Another thing...test like this also discover how well a particular dc can take a test. THere are certain strategies for test taking. For instance. You don't know a particular answer but do know that 2 of the possibles can't be right. You are left with 2. You either guess or narrow down some more or whatever. You KWIM. So, to make my long test rant short...I wouldn't worry too much about it. Simply try explaining to dh the reason for state tests (it's for the SCHOOLS NOT THE STUDENTS!). Have him "test" his dc on his own by talking to them about what they learned, teaching a lesson or 2, etc. THat's a better gauge of how well they are doing than a silly state test.

[Cadam]

Do the tests cover more than LA and Math skills? Ours only include those things and I can't figure out how it would work otherwise. We are not going to follow the ps plan for education in regards to content areas like history and science so what is the point of testing on content that you haven't covered?

If it is just covering math and LA skills then I don't think you have anything to worry about. We use MUS which has a totally different S&S than the ps and my kids still do fine on the tests. I did explain to my dh about the math program and that we would cover everything - just in a different order, but it turned out fine anyway.

[Adrianne]

My ds9 just had it for the first time and he tested at grade level in everything except reading (he was above average). I feel they are good in that help you to understand what they child needs to work on (or they excel in). It also gives you piece of mind that you are doing well as a teacher.

Of course the logistics are a royal pain, signing up, taking them, waiting during the testing, and pay the fees (my favorite part). But it made me feel good to know "where he was".

I do not teach extra subjects or feel I need to do anything for the test. We do not have a formal spelling program or vocab program. My kids read A LOT and our curriculum includes arithmetic, grammar, writing, history (narrations), Bible, Latin, music and Art. Most of these subjects are just done by reading. Otherwise, they just have playtime.

I feel reading a lot is the best way to achieve good test scores. Worksheets and "busy work" is just not necessary for a real education. Of course you need to take your child's learning style into consideration, some children need worksheets, but you should not feel you need to "work extra hard" to achieve good test scores. Just make sure the time they spend schooling is fully of quality, enriching materials.

HTH,
Adrianne

Oh, I should say that we did do Spectrum test booklet for grade 3 ahead of time to help him become familiar with testing b/c we don't really have tests at our house.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I've done Varied Subjects for Reading Comprehension in the past and found them to be busywork - but they probably helped my kid's recognize the multiple choice format found on CAT/E tests.

[Quiver0f10]

Our state requires them , so my kids will test for the first time this year. I was nervous, but now I am curious as to what they will score. Nice this is we don't have to pay for them.

[Lori in MN]

Those test are required in my state but we don't have to show the results to anyone. I don't teach to cover the tests specifically but I do use the tests to discover holes in my teaching. Every year I discover something that I could be doing better. The first time my kids took the tests, I discovered, "Oh yah, states and capitals, forgot those." I've been doing this now for eight years and still finding holes. So I use the tests as a tool for myself to find holes in my teaching or areas that I need to teach better. HTH