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Standardized Testing
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My 8yo daughter (“3rd” grade) has dyslexia. We’re at Level 3 of the Barton system, and doing well with it.
In the past, because of the dyslexic struggles, I had omitted formal math from her day and now she’s “behind” in math. She’s working through book 205 of Christian Light Education’s math series (it’s book 5 out of 10, 2nd grade level).
My question is what grade level do I order for her standardized test this year? I use the CAT test from Seton. And we live in PA, so we have to do the test in grades 3, 8, and 11. I’m not sure if the school district will actually see the test scores this year or not (we had new laws passed that changed our homeschool law). The school district has never heard from my lips (or from paperwork) that she’s in 3rd grade, but I tell her (And everyone else) that she is in 3rd grade, just to eliminate annoying questions.
I’m afraid of giving her the 3rd grade test, for fear of her doing so badly…..and yet, I hate to give her the 2nd grade test and then have the school district find out and consider her 2nds grade, and mess up her graduation (years down the road).
Suggestions??
Thank you!
Karen
I would do the 3rd grade testing. Here’s the thing, in Ohio we test every year (one option, there is another). Even if she totally failed every single question on the math sections it wouldn’t drop her overall/composite/total score low enough for the school to care. At least that is true here. My children have to achieve the 25th percentile for their total score. That means that when all the scores for each section are added together it evens out weak areas with strengths. They can, in essence, fail several sections without coming near the 25th percentile overall score.
I administer our testing (purchased through FamilyLearning.org) and only turn in to the school district the overall score. They never see individual scores for each section.
It may not be the same in your state though, so know your laws! Just wanted to reassure you that it will probably be fine to do the 3rd grade test.
You could also check on what age PA requires children to start school. In OR a child has to be 1st grade or above the year that they turn 7 on or before September 1st. My girls were each starting 2nd grade the year that they were 7 by September 1st. They knew that, but I didn’t register them with the local ESD until that year and told them that they were 1st grade. Legally, they can be. So, that gives us an extra year before they are required to take the test. My youngest is 3rd grade this year but the state “thinks” she is 2nd grade. So, instead of testing in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 we will test in grades 4, 6, 9, and 11. Did that make any sense? I hope so.
PA requires children to start school when they’re 8. And this daughter is 8, will be 9 in March. So, had she gone to school, she’d be in the 3rd grade. (And struggling mightily.)
In PA, parents aren’t allowed to proctor the exams, but with the CAT, my mother-in-law is allowed to (no degree required). So, my plan is to have my MIL proctor the exam – and tell her that she’ll need to read many of the questions and answers to my daughter. I know I can trust my MIL to not tell her which answers to color in.
My daughter is bright, as dyslexics are, but being under pressure to read things is really hard on her. I guess my biggest fear was that she possibly hasn’t encountered the math or the grammar syntax (punctuation, etc.) that a “normal” 3rd grader has. I’m afraid that her score will be awful. I know I don’t have to tell her – but she’s smart. She’ll know something’s up!
My fear with giving her the 2nds grade test is that it could cause her trouble later on. I fully expect her reading to come up to grade level within the next 2 or 3 years – we’re working hard with the Barton program, and she’s made such strides in the last 4 months. I don’t want anything to cause her to be labeled as a grade behind now, for fear that in the future it would be problematic (red tape and government/school/whoever interference) to graduate “on time” according to her age.
I think I’ll just give her the 3rd grade test and ignore the results…..I guess it will look that much more impressive when she does great on her 5th grade test two years from now!
If PA doesn’t require kids to start school until they are 8, then that could be considered 1st grade and you could claim that and not give the test for 2 more years. It shouldn’t affect anything later. If there was ever a need for her to be in school or claim graduation on time, you can always test at a higher level and move up.
Also, are you allowed an IEP (individualized education plan) for dyslexia? We are allowed to use an IEP for any “learning disabilities.” I am doing this for my oldest. In an IEP, you can “evaluate” progress however you want (with standardized testing, just stating that she is making progress towards your goals, etc). This can help keep you from needing to take the test at all. Knowing how much of a stress the test would be for my DD, this is a huge relief to be able to do. I don’t know if PA has any law allowing that.
You are blessed that your MIL can proctor the test. We are not allowed to use anyone that is not “certified” to give the test and then they cannot be related.
I’ve stayed away from having her formally diagnosed or even tested. I tend to be a bit shy of involving any public school people – or even let them know she has a “learning disability”. I figure that she can be tested later in life, if she goes to college and needs to make a case for needing accommodations at that point.
You’re right – she could be considered 1st grade because of it being her first legal year of school.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I am in PA too. I spoke to HSLDA about testing when your child has special needs. He said they should test when they are at a third grade level. He said if they are 15 when they are at a third grade level then that is when they would have to test. He said that it would be up to you and your evaluator how you would handle it. Some ideas were to document the file with a summary letter stating that child has some learning issues and working below grade level….this may be just between you and your evaluator so it’s on record..or include that with the evaluators form. Otherwise, your dd’s work will already show she’s not at the level for testing. I would suggest calling HSLDA because it really helped me find peace with the process.
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