Assessment Testing & Non-reader

[~mama jewel~]

In Oregon, we have required assessment testing. However, my son is a non-reader. He has a learning disability. He is registered with the state (as again, required in our state), but NOT as a special ed student. I've been hsling 3 out of my 4 children, but just haven't had this challenge come up before. I specifically am looking for any known resources to look into that I can use for him to meet his assessment testing. FYI, we use Basic Skills for our testing company.

[zjande]

I'm not sure this is helpful at all, but when my son took his assessment test (we're in OR too), I recall there being a statement somewhere on the paperwork we were given that if my child were a "non- reader, they would be offered a different assessment test, with pictures", or something close to that.

Can you call your school district offices with your question? Or ask Basic Skills?

[chfriend]

We used the Woodcock Johnson test. It's an oral test one on one with the evaluator.

My dd really enjoys it.

[Dar]

I don't think the Woodcock-Johnson is on the approved list, though...

Some people choose to hold their kids back for a year, if you think he might do better in a year. He also only needs to score in the 15th percentile, so if he math is fairly strong he would probably get that even without much in the way of reading.

dar

[chfriend]

Drat! You're right Dar. My state only requires a "nationally normed test."

Here's the list I found:
Approved tests are the two most recent versions of the following:
California Achievement Test
Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/Tests of Achievement and Proficiency
Metropolitan Achievement Battery
Stanford Achievement Test Battery OAR 581-021-0026 (1)(a)

So, my suggestion is no help at all. Sorry.

[~mama jewel~]

Basic Skills administers the CAT. Maybe I'll give them a call & see if they give a non-reader version. Good thought about the 15% thing, too. Hmmm. He has ADHD, so beyond the lack of ability to read, I don't know if he would even sit still for the math portion.

I'm going to x-post this on the SN boards, too.

[chfriend]

Hey MamaJewel: What did you find out?

[~mama jewel~]

They said that I could pull him from the group testing & sign up with a private tester. They don't have a non-reader test. My dh thinks I should let him try to do it in the group setting. I'm torn about what to do. We did a practice test at home & he did really poorly, including the math portion. I guess I didn't realize how much I keep him on track by using my finger to point to the problem he's working on, etc.

I'm getting desperate & wondering if I should also get him on an IFSP through our local school. I have one through EI/ECSE & waffle between appreciating the services, but resenting the intrusion. I'm at a loss to how many rights we have, as a homeschooling parent & what to do if we didn't agree with the IFSP. I have mixed feelings & know I'm a mess anyway today, because we just got back from my youngest son's EI assessment & that didn't go well.

Thank you for asking, though. I appreciate it.

[Lovenest]

The testing is in groups? Uh, I had no idea.
We are in Oregon as well and my son is 6.5 right now.
I am worried about the testing as he gets distracted really easily and gets very nervous.

What is the testing like? Anyone have kiddos that have already done it?

[TiredX2]

Did you look into the ITBS? My kids took the 1st grade version and officially you did not have to be able to read. You would need to be able to follow along, though.

[~mama jewel~]

I didn't check into the Iowa test because our testing company that does our town is Basic Skills and gives the CAT.

I have two older daughters that have done testing over the years. Yes, for our town, the testing is in groups held at a local church. There are about 20 kids to a room & it's usually done by grade level. Though, one year, it was only two rooms with the 1st-3rd grade in one room and 4th-high school in another. There are usually a couple of proctors roaming the room during the exam & it's got timed portions. The testing lasts 3 hours with a 20 minute break about halfway through. The testing can run longer/shorter, if the majority of the kids aren't done with a section, though. If my memory serves me, it costs about $55 dollars per student to test & we get the results mailed in about two weeks. The results just give us percentages in the different areas, like reading comprehension, language mechanics, mathematics, etc.

[Lovenest]

Sorry one more question.
How do you find out where the tests are held?
Is there anyway to pay to have a tester to come to your home to do the testing?

[Rico'sAlice]

What does the school do with non-readers? I know in some circumstances one can take an untimed test due to learning disabilities, and so perhaps there are other adjustments that came be made even using a typical written test. Is there a way to have an accommodation made for the questions to be read out loud. [I'm thinking of 90210 when Donna Martin had such trouble with her SATs and that was mentioned as an option for her. Also found it mentioned here]

Also, has your DS tried using a blank paper marker to hold his place (the way your finger would.)

[~mama jewel~]

Ask away; I'm glad to help. You might find this link helpful in locating a tester for your area
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2080
It's the second item listed for testers for your area. I think that there are testers that come to your home specifically, but I've never used that system & would probably be cost-prohibitive for me anyway. But, if you call your local ESD (Educational Services District), then they may have a list for you of teachers who do this sort of side biz.

As for having the school district have someone who could assist my son, they would, it's just that I haven't had any interaction with the school district. I haven't worked through them at all & I've been on the fence as to if I want to get them involved. I've just registered through the state & been a private homeschooler jumping through the state's hoops (like the assessment testing).

[dain]

Do you do this at home?

Why not just read to him and follow along?

Or is that like . . . cheating?

It seems to me a test is to assess what they know--and so let's give them the information to see what they know. Unless it's a reading test--I personally wouldn't worry about it.



dain

[~mama jewel~]

The state's homeschool assessment tests have to be administered by a third party --so that would either be in a group setting or privately by someone registered with a testing agency. Hope that makes sense. We do do practice testing at home, but I am not allowed to be in the testing room during his testing to help keep him on focus, that's the reason for my op.

[dain]

got it, sorry i have no ideas then!