In regards to "being behind", what about testing?

[home4school]

I posted earlier today regarding my two ds "being behind" in math. If one is 4th grade, but doing 3rd grade math and the other is 6th grade doing 5th grade math, what IOWA test do I have them take?

Thanks!
Kim

[nutmeg]

Are you legally required to test?

If so, is there a particular score the student must achieve?

Or is the testing for your own info?

[home4school]

We are required to test for the first time at the end of grade 3 and at least every three years after that.

I am curious to see how they will do in the other subjects areas as well.

Kim

[GVA]

I have to test and turn in the scores to the local school system, and they want achievement in the 25th percentile.

Last year was not a good math year for my son frankly. We melted down with RightStart Level E, and finally switched to CLE Math 4 in January. He was on LU 403 when we tested. I ordered the 4th grade test because he was registered as a 4th grader with the county. That's what you're supposed to do. In my state if you don't reach the percentile, you can choose turn in an alternate evaluation (i.e. a portfolio or professional evaluation) instead of the scores or go on probation for a year.

Well, he did fine. Even though he was still basically iffy on his multiplication facts and even though he hadn't been through most of 4th grade math, he did fine and tested well above the 25th percentile. No worries there.

Remember that standardized testing covers a WIDE range of children. Even if they're a grade behind in CLE, you'll probably be fine this year if you have meet a certain level to achieve.

This year I'm figuring he'll be on about LU 506 when we test. And it will be fine. REALLY!

[Ellie]

I would test them at the grade level they'd be if they were in school. Otherwise it isn't an accurate comparison, which is what the scores are: comparing your children with the age-level children who established the norms.

[nutmeg]

We are required to test for the first time at the end of grade 3 and at least every three years after that.

I think a lot of this is going to depend on your state law. If you have to declare that your child is in a particular grade in a particular year, I would think you would have to give them test for that year. If child is a 3rd grader, he'll need that test even though he's doing 2nd grade work at home.

Growth comes in leaps and spurts. Your kids might be a little 'behind' now, but at some point connections will come and they'll start skipping ahead.

[siloam]

Same thing here. My dd didn't have division yet (or much grammar), and she still scored well above the 15% required by the state of Oregon.

Heather