Testing Update
February 24,
2010
TESTING TIME IS APPROACHING!
Assessments can be a challenge for both
students and parents. Students hope they
have learned everything they were supposed to
learn, and parents hope they have taught
everything they needed to teach. In some
ways, assessments are testing both parent
and student.
But you don't need to be intimidated by testing. Most
homeschool students do very well. If you find
your child is an exception, give yourself
enough time, if need be, to retest or choose
another method of evaluation. Use testing to
your benefit: Find out your child's areas of
weakness and discover your child's areas of
strength. Adjust your curriculum and
teaching time to fit your child's individual
needs. Testing can be a great benefit!
This update shares the basics of what the law requires. See the note at the bottom for links to some additional resources to help you this testing season, as well as information about an upcoming testing Success Seminar designed specifically to help you get your testing questions answered.
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What does the law require?
If you homeschool under the homeschool
statute, §22.1-254.1,
you must provide evidence of academic
progress. The results of an evaluation or
assessment should be sent to your division
superintendent by August 1 each year.
Parents may use
-
Any nationally normed
standardized achievement test, or
-
An evaluation or assessment,
including, but not limited to,
-
An evaluation letter from a
person licensed to teach in any state,
or a letter from a person with a
master's degree or higher in an academic
discipline, or
-
A report card or
transcript from a community
college or college, college distance-learning
program, or home education
correspondence school.
The changes in the 2008 law clarified
testing options for parents. The first
testing
option--a nationally normed
standardized achievement test--can still be
used. If your student takes a standardized
achievement test, he must have a composite
score in or above the fourth stanine or 23
percentile. A composite score is made up
only of the mathematics and language arts
components of the test. Students are not
required to take other sections of the test.
While most parents use standardized
achievement tests, there are several reasons
parents may want to show evidence of
achievement by other methods. For some, an
evaluation letter will more accurately show
progress. An achievement test score may not
correctly reflect a student's progress. For
others, such as a learning-disabled student,
a score below the 23 percentile may show
satisfactory progress. If a student is using
a correspondence school, then a report card
from the school is satisfactory. If a
student is enrolled in a college or community
college, or distance-learning program, a
transcript will meet the evaluation requirement.
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Do kindergartners have to be
tested?
Children who are NOT six by
September 30 of the school year do NOT have
to be tested. The statute states, "The
[testing] requirements of subsection (C)
shall not apply to children who are under
the age of six as of September 30 of the
school year." § 22.1-254.1 (C).
If a student is five years old on September
30 of the year he begins kindergarten, he
will not have to be tested that year.
However, if a student is six years old by
September 30 of his kindergarten year, he
will have to be tested. Some kindergarten
students will need to be tested and others
will not. Age, not grade level, is the
determining factor.
Most homeschooling families will receive a
form letter in the spring reminding them
about testing. If your child is not six by
September 30, the information in the form
letter does not apply to your child.
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Are there other exceptions?
Yes. In general, homeschoolers must show
evidence of progress if they have complied
with §22.1-254.1 of the Virginia Code by
filing a "Notice of Intent to Provide Home
Instruction" or writing a letter to the
school superintendent. However, evidence of
progress is not required for the following:
-
Children who are under the age of
six as of September 30 of the school year;
-
Students who are under the
religious-exemption provision
§22.1-254(B)(1);
-
Students being taught by a
certified tutor §22.1-254 (A); or
-
Students who have graduated,
regardless of age.
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What about portfolios?
The law describing evaluations and
assessments does not mention a "portfolio."
However, in describing evaluation options,
the law says, "including but not limited to"
an evaluation letter, a report card, or a
transcript. Although a portfolio is not
included, some superintendents may be willing
to accept this form of assessment because of
this carefully worded language. Parents who
have submitted an unevaluated portfolio in
the past may still be able to submit one
directly to the superintendent because the
language does not limit what can be submitted.
Also, a portfolio could be presented to a
qualified evaluator who is licensed to teach
or a person with a master's degree in an
academic discipline. This person could
review the portfolio and submit an evaluation
letter to the superintendent to determine if
the student is achieving an adequate level
of educational growth and progress.
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NOTE FROM YVONNE BUNN
Do you have more questions about testing? How can I prepare my child for testing?
Can I administer the test myself? Who decides
which test I can use? Do I have to have my
test pre-approved? Where can I get tests? How
much will testing cost? How do I interpret
the results? You can find the answers to
these and many other questions in this
informative Testing FAQ. You may also wish to check out our
Choosing Standardized Tests and Testing Resources pages, along with these tips for
parents administering tests themselves and this list of counselors, testers, and tutors.
On Thursday, March 4, 2010, Sarah Olbris will be presenting a testing
seminar at the HEAV Richmond office. This is a great time to get your
specific questions answered by a helpful testing professional and
friendly homeschool mom. Find more information here.
If you're not sure what to expect or uncertain about how your child may score on a standardized achievement test, Achieving Peak Performance
is a great resource. This practice test can help both you and your student be ready and
confident on testing day!
Remember, you don't need to let testing intimidate you! Sincerely,
Yvonne Bunn
Director of Homeschool Support & Legislative Affairs
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