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If required to do state tests, do you "prepare"?
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Ok, I’m totally out of my zone with standardized tests, aside from those for college-bound kids. But we may end up moving to a state that requires testing, so….
Do you “prepare” in some way for these? Sometimes it’s not a lack of knowledge that might impede a child, but rather a difference in terminology, etc. For those who have to deal with testing, how do you do it?
Also, I’m wondering if I should seek to do one this year before the move requires it. Is there any point to doing that, or is it really no big deal?
we are not there yet, but between 4th and 8th grade, we will have to do a state test every other year (so I will choose 5th and 7th grade, not 4th, 6th, & 8th – 2 test better than 3…haha) –
My plan to is take a practice test in 4th grade just to let DS get a feel for it before we have to do the real thing. I was talking to another mom in my area with teen boys and she does a few practice test leading up to the real test just to get them used to it.
We do them in Ohio (it is one option and the fastest/easiest when my life is so crazy). We have done CAT 5, CAT 5 Survey, and I think we did another one once. I order through Familylearning.org and administer the tests.
Do we prepare ahead? Not really. The kids have all scored in 98th/99th percentile, even when getting a low score in a section (for example Joseph got below 40th percentile in spelling one year – I want to say it was closer to 30th. He still scored in the 98th percentile). The kids strengths balance out their weak scores.
In Ohio you only submit the composite score (overall score). It has to be 25th percentile or above to pass. Yes, that is failing, but still acceptable. Crazy but true.
It’s an option in Florida. We’ve used Brigance which is mostly oral and quite short. This year dd13 will use Peabody which is similar. We do not report scores. I do not prepare in any way. I am not surprised by results. I have a good feel for where they are and the testing shows that.
I used to prepare my older kids by showing them how to take a test… how to fill in the bubbles, how to make sure you stay in the right line, how to go though and do the ons you know you know and then go back and ork on the rest, how to check your answers. Test taking is a skill and I thought it better that these things not be surprised to them. We were dealing with some learning challenges so surprises were often not good things.
One thing you might want to find out is which test will meet the particular state’s requirements and whether you submit each score or just the composite, as Tristan mentioned. There are many standardized tests available, and some are easier to administer & take than others.
We don’t test, so I can’t recommend a particular test. However, others on this forum have discussed various standardized tests, and I seem to recall one called the Peabody test that was gentler as to how it was administered. Here is a link to that discussion: http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/testing-recommendations#post-58186
HTH,
Sue
I’m not big on testing, but generally do it in 5th and 8th just so the PSAT is not their first outside test experience. We use the Iowa test. I don’t worry much about it, but this year I bought this practice book: http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=1&category=46 and it seems very helpful. They fill out the bubbles for their name, grade, etc. at the start just like on test day. They have practice questions in each category, and then a test in each category. I personally don’t want to waste a lot of time on this! So, I’m just having them do the tests…not the practice exercises. They do two a week and it takes very little time. If an area seems weak, I’ll have them do a couple of the related practice sheets. For instance, my daughter has always struggled some w/reading comprehension-type questions. So, I can help her by reminding her to take her time and go back and look for info., etc.
I do like that they have maps/diagrams…things we haven’t covered much. This allows me to briefly go over them without spending much time. Also, I elected to not test on history/science….I don’t want to spend the extra day of testing and these are subjects that are covered so differently. Hope that helps some:) Blessings, Gina
Oh, and I didn’t buy the teacher books. For 5th and 8th I can figure the answers. It takes a little more time, but I didn’t want to spend $50 for the two teacher books:)
Thank you so much for all the replies and links and resources on this. I really do not want to deal with testing AT ALL. lol But hearing some of your thoughts has improved my outlook.
I do a very short 30 minute practice test from Bob Jones University in February. It covers all the sections of the IOWA test, but only has two pages or so for each section. Very short, which is good. It gives them a reminder of bubbles.
We have to test every year once they turn 8. So I do a test each year in June for any children who were 8 the previous September. I do administer them at home so far. My oldest is 10. We don’t have to turn in scores, but I keep them in case anyone ever asks. They score in the 98 – 100 percentile; thus, far it has been very easy other than having to actually do it.
One year we did the IOWA and one year the CAT.
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