This morning we rallied around my oldest son for his homeschool annual standardized testing. As I sat there, the air was imbued with apprehension and I felt uneasy to my stomach. I feel as if I’m more nervous than my son. Maybe it’s because I’m being tested as well. If he passes, I will feel a sense of accomplishment and if he doesn’t, then I will feel that I have failed him, my husband, and myself.
But enough of that. By the time I finish writing this post, I will know his test results.
I like the notion of testing my son outside the home. It gives me a sense of relief as well. The proctor does everything, I’m not stressed, and I get my results that day. Easy Peasy!
This is my son’s fourth year testing. He’s past every year – so far. (fingers crossed) But I’m always anxious!
We, personally, use the Woodcock-Johnson III Test which consists of:
- Broad Reading and Math
- Math Calculation Skills
- Academic Skills (Not Timed), Fluency (Timed), and Knowledge (Social Studies and Science)
The following achievement tests are also administered:
- Letter-Word Identification (sight words)
- Reading Fluency
- Calculation
- Math Fluency
- Spelling,
- Writing Fluency
- Passage Comprehension (Reading)
- Applied Problems (Word Problems)
This test is what I used for our homeschoolers. It helps us to meet our state’s requirements. You should choose a test that meets your needs as well as your state’s requirements. Below are the requirements of my state of North Carolina.
Nationally Standardized Testing Requirement
In accordance with G.S. 115C-564, North Carolina home school chief administrators are required to administer a nationally standardized test (or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement) to each enrolled student on an annual basis.
Test Qualifications:
- Nationally standardized reporting scores as at least GE/AE, National Percentile rank
- Measure achievement
- Cover: English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
We, as homeschool moms, are responsible for obtaining and/or scheduling the nationally standardized test every school year for our child(ren).
The Most Often Used Tests in North Carolina:
- CAT
- ACT w/essay
- BASI
- Brigance
- IOWA (ITBS)
- MAP
- PASS
- SAT w/essay
- Stanford
- Terra Nova
- Test Point
- WIAT
- Woodcock Johnson
- WRAT
There are other standardized testing options, but these are the most recognized tests.
Nationally Standardized Achievement Test Vendors in North Carolina
Listed below are some sources from which you may purchase nationally standardized achievement testing services. I personally use the first one listed with Beverly Hardister. We have tested with her for the last four years.
Anchor Educational Evaluations & Consultations
Bindrim Testing & Educational Services
Crosspointe Educational Services
Foundations Educational Services LLC
Teaching Achieving Students Inc.
The Cardinal Center for Behavior Analysis (Special Needs Testing)
Lighthouse Educational Services
Professional Teaching & Testing
Triangle Education Assessments, LLC
This list is provided solely for your convenience in satisfying the North Carolina General Statutes’ testing requirement for homeschoolers in NC. The information above (along with the links) does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement by me.
For more homeschool information, click HERE.
I hope this is helpful to you, my friends.
xo,
Laddie
P.S. My son passed his test! I’ll have a 5th grader in my midst at the beginning of this school year.