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Standardized Testing
by Linda Price
Q: I’m wondering about standardized
testing. What are the pro’s and con’s? Which
tests do most homeschoolers use? At what age should children
begin standardized testing, if at all?
Homeschool parents and students make standardized testing
choices based on each individual family situation. Because
there is no state law in Nebraska regarding testing, the
choice to test is optional.
An important consideration for beginning standardized
testing is student readiness. Having no test scores can
be preferable to having poor test scores which would become
part of the student's record and could impact a student's
perception of himself or herself as an academic success.
As an aid to assessing student readiness, practice standardized
tests at various grade levels can be purchased through various
homeschool resource catalogs. When these timed tests in
standardized format are given to a student by the parent
in the home setting, the student learns test taking success
strategies and identifies areas of academic strengths and
weaknesses.
When homeschool parents determine a student is ready and
choose to begin standardized testing, they may call Omaha
Christian Academy at 399-9565 and contact Deanne Jenkins
to request information on testing opportunities.
An important consideration for high school standardized
testing is college or university entrance requirements.
Many homeschooled high school students take SAT exams during
their junior and/or senior years if the post secondary school
they plan to attend requires SAT test scores.
For information on opportunities for homeschooler SAT testing
with OCA students, call OCA at 399-9565 to request a registration
form.
If a student needs help preparing for SAT exams, SAT study
manuals can be purchased at one of the large local bookstores.
Students can also get SAT preparation help from Kaplan Test
Prep by contacting Amber Bates at AmberBates@kaplan.com.
If you have a homeschooling question and
would like to “Ask The Veterans”, please put
it in writing to Board@OmahaHEN.org
or to: HEN Newsletter, 2610 Morrie Dr., Bellevue, NE 68147.
We will forward your question along to our veteran moms
who will respond for publishing in a future newsletter.
The information provided on this site does
not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any of
the members of the Home Educators Network. HEN does not
endorse the viewpoints nor recommend the products represented
by any of the links from this site. These links are offered
as points which are of interest and use to many homeschoolers.
None of the information distributed by HEN, either verbal
or written, is intended as legal advice and should not take
the place of legal counsel from a qualified, informed attorney. |
