I saw this email on the "Georgia Christian Homeschoolers" Yahoo group and thought Beth sounds really knowledgeable about standardized testing. In particular, I got a lot out of the FAQ portion of her email. She seems like she would be a good person to administer a test to your child if you test outside the home. Here is her email:
ITBS Testing - Beth
Age Group : Grades 3-8 only
Fee: $40 LEO members; $50 for nonmembers
9:00-11:00 Monday, May 19,
9:00-11:30 Tuesday, May 20, and
9:00-11:30 Wednesday, May 21
Location: Lifelong Educational Opportunities located at EPIC Family Life Center, 2650 Olde Towne Parkway, Duluth GA 30097
Register by 3/29/2014: http://lifelongeducationalopps.com/Testing_Registration.html
Meet requirements for Georgia standardized testing with the ITBS at LEO during May 19th through May 21st. We will offer the Core Battery of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). CORE BATTERY means Math and Language skills only. This DOES NOT include subject areas like Science.
To register http://lifelongeducationalopps.com/Testing_Registration.html
Cost will be $40 for LEO members and $50 for non members and includes all testing materials, shipping and results..
Contact Beth if you have any questions prior to registering. Please register early as space is limited.
FAQ:.
------------------------------ ------ Q&A in no particular order
--Can the children use calculators?
Calculators are allowed on specific sections of the ITBS, but are not necessary. All of the problems can be done by hand. It is left up to the parent or teacher to decide. My thoughts: If your children regularly use a calculator for math class, then they should use on the test. If they don't regularly use a calculator, it is likely to slow them down and introduce mistakes.
--What skills are tested?
I will be using the Core LA and Math skills from the ITBS. These include: Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Word Analysis (3rd only)
Listening (3rd only)
Language
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Usage & Expression
Math Concepts/Estimation
Math Prob. Solving/Data Interp.
Math Concepts/Problem Solving
Math Computation
Content specific areas will not be tested.
--Must I test my children in their public school grade?
I recommend that your child take the grade level test appropriate for his/her age, because the national norms will be most useful that way. However, there is no age requirement set by the testing company or me. If you feel that your child will be better served by testing a grade up or down, that's fine with me. (The tests don't actually have grade levels on them, just form numbers and letters.)
--Are there materials available for test preparation?
I don't usually recommend extensive preparation. Standardized testing is meant to test what your child has learned over the years, not over three weeks of cramming. However, if your child is prone to test anxiety, seeing the actual format of the test might help him be more relaxed in testing. On the other hand, some children become more anxious with more preparation. You know your child best. If you feel like you need preparation materials, I recommend Scoring High because the format is identical to the test: http://www.mariinc.com/testitbs.html
The Teacher Book is a must for third grade because the listening section is only in that book. It's nice for the older grades unless you want to work the test yourself. If you know other families with children in the same grade, consider buying one Teacher Book and passing it around.
--Does this test meet the State of Georgia Requirements?
(Like everyone else, I have to preface with I'm not a lawyer and this is my personal interpretation of state law)
The ITBS is a "nationally standardized" test as referenced in Georgia law on testing requirements for homeschool students:
Students in home study programs shall be subject to an appropriate nationally standardized testing program administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm reference tests to evaluate their educational progress at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade and records of such tests and scores shall be retained but shall not be required to be submitted to public educational authorities;
I am certified to administer the ITBS.
--Can I test at home instead?
(Again, I'm not a lawyer and this is my personal interpretation) Absolutely! The above law does not mention location or group size at all. It does specify *consultation* with a trained person, but most companies that sell or lease tests, provide phone or e-mail support from trained personnel and training materials for you. (Some test companies are very specific about who has access to their test and these tests may not available for home testing.)
--Which is better group testing or home testing?
I'll share my thoughts on group vs. home testing. Ask around and you'll get a picture of what other parents think is best and why.
Advantages of Group Testing:
- It is a controlled environment with no barking dogs, ringing phones, crying babies (I hope!)
- It gets the children used to the type of test administration that they will see in high school (PSAT, ACT, etc.)
- Some talent searches require independent testing
- Some specific tests do not allow home testing
Advantages of Home Testing:
- You eliminate much of the stress of the "testing environment" and might get a better measure of what students know.
- You avoid creating test anxiety if your student is too young to handle the formality of group testing
- You can test on your own schedule.
- You don't have to get in the car ;)
--What about the Georgia CRCT?
The Georgia CRCT is not designed to test general skills. It specifically tests children on Georgia Performance Standards. Unless your child is following the state curriculum, the test will not be very useful diagnostically. As far as I know the state does not allow homeschoolers to take the CRCT. You can pick up practice books at School Box if you are interested in what the state curriculum covers. This might be particularly helpful if you have plans to put your child in public school soon. (Interestingly, the law specifies homeschoolers take *nationally* standardized tests, so the CRCT wouldn't even meet our legal requirements.)
--What if I need to test a high school student?
I did not test at LEO last Spring, but if we have enough interest and another certified testing volunteer, we can add a 9th-12th group. (Because of different directions, sections, and timing, 3rd-8th cannot be tested in the same group as 9th-12th.) Here are some good choices for testing your high school student:
**Taking the PSAT in the fall is a good choice for 9th/10th graders. I'm not sure what local schools are homeschool-friendly up here, but usually private schools will allow homeschoolers to sit in with their students. Here's the info:
http://www.collegeboard.com/ student/testing/psat/reg/ homeschool.html (Registration deadlines are usually in Feb./March for October of the next school year, so don't delay if you are interested.)
**Homeschool students can also register for the SAT or ACT:
http://professionals. collegeboard.com/testing
/sat-subject/register/ homeschooled
http://www.actstudent.org/ regist/index.html
(This is available for 9th/10th grade students, also. It really helps some students to take these tests a year or two early, before they "count." They can get comfortable with the formal testing environment. Also, I always remind them that they are taking a test above their level, that they aren't expected to know all of the answers. This helps reduce some of the stress and sometimes one stress-free test experience is enough to reduce anxiety (and improve scores) on future tests.)
**A good ACT practice test for 8th/9th graders is the EXPLORE test, commonly given in middle school. I haven't heard of schools having homeschoolers test with them, but I don't think the ACT or EXPLORE are as popular in GA as in other states. ACT does offer a full length EXPLORE sample test to homeschoolers that parents can give and grade at home. It is nationally normed. It includes good information on interpreting scores and determining college/high school readiness:
http://www.actadvantage.org/ explore/
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