Standardized Testing is Required
As a support group, we are committed to provide annual group standardized testing in the spring to those students registered with the state (ages 7 and up), provided sufficient volunteers are willing to help organize and administer it. Note that you will need to comply with testing guidelines after the end of compulsory attendence age of 16 if you wish to obtain your Driver's License Certificate of eligibility with the state.
You should order your test as early as possible. Many testing companies give "early bird" discounts.
FAQs from NCDNPE (scroll down for Testing)
Group Testing
Currently both the CAT 5 Survey and the Iowa Basic Test will be offered each year, provided there is a volunteer coordinator for each test. The CAT5 is a one-day test while the Iowa Basic Test will be administered over a several day period. These tests satisfy the NC statutes. Standardized testing is very structured, and some children may find group testing too stressful. Group testing requires group effort to work, so everyone who registers a child for group testing will need to volunteer to help in some capacity.
Look for announcements in the spring for details about WWHEAT group testing.
Central Academy of Lake Park, Indian Trail, offers the Stanford Achievement Test, the PSAT and the PLAN (pre-ACT) to homeschoolers. For more information email their counselor, Mildred Similton, or call 704.882.6267 ext. 25.
Individual Testing
It is legal (though not recommended by DNPE) to administer many standardized tests to your own children. Individual testing allows you the flexibility to choose the time and place your child is tested. In addition to testing Language Arts and Mathematics with the CAT you may also choose to test the areas of Science, Social Studies, and Study Skills.
If you choose this option it is important for the integrity of the test results nationwide that you adhere strictly to the test guidelines. You may wish to consider trading test administration with another family.
Scoring High (SRA/McGraw Hill, the publisher of CAT/5)
This publication is excellent preparation for standardized testing. It is commonly used by private schools to prepare their students for test taking. We highly recommend it because the process of test taking is often a new experience for homeschoolers. To order call 800-843-8855 or check for availablity with the company you are ordering tests from if you are testing individually.
Other Testing Services
Peg Connell, Ed.D., can do a battery of academic tests (the Ability-Achievement Profile) or a particular subject area battery (e.g. Reading) or individual tests like the Woodcock Johnson Achievement Test and make recommendations that address the area(s) of your child's attention, memory, higher order thinking, language, spatial, neuromotor, and sequential ordering domains, as needed. The battery of tests includes a parent conference, with a Biblical perspective, and practical recommendations for success. For credentials and references contact her at 704.841.3955 or by email.
Gail Getz of Cornerstone Educational Services (704.654.9106) offers Woodcock-Johnson testing
Shirley Minster, M. S. Ed., of Home Education & Family Services in Gray, Maine (207.657.2800) visits this area each spring for achievement testing and consulting with parents about curriculum, high school issues, learning difficulties, and college preparation. For over 25 years, she has helped parents customize their children’s educational programs. The options for achievement tests are Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement–II, Peabody Individual Achievement Test, Revised, Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Educational Achievement-III, or Diagnostic Achievement Battery-2. If testing is desired for aptitude and learning style, call Shirley to discuss these options. Click here to download test information and forms.
Theresa Lloyd (704.763.2931 or 704.987.5128), an educational therapist, is available to provide educational evaluations that include year-end testing (for parents who want an alternative to the CAT test) She is
available for parent consultations to discuss your child's learning disability, curriculum, school placement, further testing and interpretation, behavior and educational planning.Shawn Hill (704.607.9092) has a Bachelor of Science in Education as well as 11 years of classroom experience, 7 years of tutoring experience, and has worked with learning disabled students. He is available to administer the Woodcock-Johnson Test.
The Most Common Tests
California Achievement Test (CAT): Test over 3 days, no college diploma needed to administer.
California Achievement Test Survey (CAT Survey): 1 day to administer.
Stanford Achievement Test: Test over 3-4 days. Tester must have a four-year college degree and possibly meet other criteria.
Iowa Test of Basic Skills: Test over 3 days. Tester must have a four-year college degree or be a current or previous certified teacher.
Woodcock-Johnson: Test over 2 hours. This is primarily an oral, non-stress, untimed, no multiple-choice question, and non-grade-specific test. Usually the most expensive. Can be administered out of town. Must be administered by an approved Woodcock Johnson tester.
Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS): Developed specifically for homeschoolers (grades 3-8 only). Untimed.
You can order tests from:
Bayside School Services (CAT/5)
Crosspointe Educational Services (CAT/5)
Educational Service Providers (CAT/5)
Family Learning Organization (CAT/5)
Thurber's Educational Assesments (CAT/5)
Seton Home (CAT Survey)
Piedmont Educational Services (CAT and Kaufman (similar to W-J))
ATC Educational Services (Woodcock-Johnson)
Lighthouse Educational Services (Woodcock-Johnson)
Triangle Education Assessments (Iowa and Woodcock-Johnson)
Bob Jones University Press (Iowa and Stanford)
Hewitt Associates (PASS)