Online free testing?

[Mizelenius]

Does anyone know of an online test for assessment purposes? DH wants DD to take one, to make sure she isn't "behind" (and behind means at grade level, I might add .

He talked about having her take her tests at the public school, but you might guess that I don't want to have to open up that can of worms.

[Peacemon]

What grade level do you want to test her for? So many tests for elem. students focus only on Math and English.

[sahmmie]

http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodl...=1&category=43

I have not tried these resources but they were recommended at a recent home school conference that I attended.

Scoring High, by Rainbow Resources.

[joensally]

Would it suffice to have her complete the Singapore Math placement tests and then show him her reading levels?

[zeldamomma]

The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (Texas's No Child Left Behind test) is online here and free:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.as...4&menu_id3=793

The online version is pretty painless for a kid to take, but there were some questions on the Math test my dd took that she couldn't really answer because they required measuring. If you want the results for your dh, you might want to print out a test and have him do it that way.

It starts at 3rd grade. Is your child that old?

ZM

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by zeldamomma

The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (Texas's No Child Left Behind test) is online here and free:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.as...4&menu_id3=793

The online version is pretty painless for a kid to take, but there were some questions on the Math test my dd took that she couldn't really answer because they required measuring. If you want the results for your dh, you might want to print out a test and have him do it that way.

It starts at 3rd grade. Is your child that old?

ZM

Scrolling down to the bottom of that it appears that there is a test that starts at K level?

[LilyGrace]

Originally Posted by zeldamomma

The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (Texas's No Child Left Behind test) is online here and free:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.as...4&menu_id3=793

The online version is pretty painless for a kid to take, but there were some questions on the Math test my dd took that she couldn't really answer because they required measuring. If you want the results for your dh, you might want to print out a test and have him do it that way.

We just did these and ds was excited about it. He did pretty well, too, especially for not having the constant practice and whatnot ps'd kids do.

Though next time I have to remember to tell him that yes, it's okay to reread the stories/problems if you need to. That's what they're there for. He did the entire reading portion trying to memorize the stories because he didn't want to 'cheat' and look back.
I'm not sure where he got that idea, but I wish I would have clarified.

[Mizelenius]

Thanks for the links!!!!

joensally: So you know how Singapore translates to grade levels? I am a little unclear about that.

DD is 7, so here she'd be entering 2nd grade this fall. But, when she was in school, she skipped a grade, so when I pulled her out this year, she was already in 2nd . . .that's why DH would consider her behind if she isn't at least at the 2nd grade level, ready for 3rd.

For math, I'd definitely want something that starts at the 1st grade level. I tested her with http://www.mindsprinting.com/msfree/register/index.aspx (it says the tutoring is free- anyone know about Mindspirinting?) for math. I admit, it was helpful for me to see where she was at. I also think it doesn't hurt to take these kinds of tests once in awhile, since test-taking is a skill in and of itself.

I'd be interested in science and history testing, though she probably could start beyond 1st for that. For reading, I don't know where she could start, but I'd want a test that could show up to the 12 grade level, if that makes sense. For example, even if you take a 1st grade test, the questions would get progressively harder, allowing you to answer your "true" level, according to the test makers, anyway!

I'll have her try that Texas test and see!

Thanks again, and any other links/ideas welcome!

[A Mom's Love]

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[zeldamomma]

Originally Posted by theretohere

Scrolling down to the bottom of that it appears that there is a test that starts at K level?

You're right-- I hadn't noticed that.

ZM

[Mizelenius]

BTW-- I know I'm stating the obvious here, but it seems like there is a range of what is considered "at" grade level. I looked at the math portion for the 3rd grade Texas exam, and most of it was easier or just as hard as what is considered 2nd grade for that Mindsprinting thing.

[zeldamomma]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

BTW-- I know I'm stating the obvious here, but it seems like there is a range of what is considered "at" grade level. I looked at the math portion for the 3rd grade Texas exam, and most of it was easier or just as hard as what is considered 2nd grade for that Mindsprinting thing.

Yep. So the Texas test, IMO, is excellent for getting people off your back about being at "grade level" but maybe not so great for actually confirming that your child would be able to easily integrate into your local public school.

Basically, I like it because it's free and easy. But if you want more accurate testing, you could always purchase some kind of test or have a private assessment done.

[joensally]

What about looking at your state standards? Or get a grade level work book and confirm that she can do everything in it? But IIRC, your dd's not a follow your lead kind of gal .

I was looking at my local SD's math text/exercises, and Singapore definitely seems to be way ahead. I think Singapore level 1 covers the vast majority of what my local district dicates for second grade. At the beginning of the year I did a matrix of what's covered in the district vs Singapore for gr1, and Singapore was definitely ahead.

I would ask your DH what would satisfy him? Stating "test results" is easy for him, but may be undue. I think it's easy to overestimate what kids learn at public school, and it's easy to over-expect and under-appreciate what a highly capable kid is doing and how out of scope for age they might be. I also wonder if your DH is falling into the trap of thinking what "typical kids in typical school situations" might do with what your kid would be doing if she was miserable at school, versus what she'll do charting her own course with the capable support of her family. It's sometimes hard not to bow to the pressure to be "normal" or mainstream or like the neighbours/cousin Bill, and accept that our life course is going to be different.

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by joensally

What about looking at your state standards? Or get a grade level work book and confirm that she can do everything in it? But IIRC, your dd's not a follow your lead kind of gal .

I was looking at my local SD's math text/exercises, and Singapore definitely seems to be way ahead. I think Singapore level 1 covers the vast majority of what my local district dicates for second grade. At the beginning of the year I did a matrix of what's covered in the district vs Singapore for gr1, and Singapore was definitely ahead.

I would ask your DH what would satisfy him? Stating "test results" is easy for him, but may be undue. I think it's easy to overestimate what kids learn at public school, and it's easy to over-expect and under-appreciate what a highly capable kid is doing and how out of scope for age they might be. I also wonder if your DH is falling into the trap of thinking what "typical kids in typical school situations" might do with what your kid would be doing if she was miserable at school, versus what she'll do charting her own course with the capable support of her family. It's sometimes hard not to bow to the pressure to be "normal" or mainstream or like the neighbours/cousin Bill, and accept that our life course is going to be different.

Good points!

I think Singapore is "ahead" for here, too . . .as in, level 2 would really be third grade for the most part.

And yes, you are RIGHT! My DD definitely resists following my lead. Looking at the math test yesterday, I think that might have to change a bit . . .not the resistance (can't change that) but my giving into it. She did well enough to please DH, but I see how some terms just can't be picked up through the everyday things we do (I don't use "cardinal" or "ordinal" when we talk about numbers). I mean, I guess they could, but I'd have to know to at least mention them . . .it was good to see her gaps, too.

I've looked at our state standards a few times, but, esp. in math, they aren't easy for me to really understand. I have started exploring some of the assessments because an example is so much easier for me to "get."

[AngelBee]

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[phathui5]

I'd question the value of science and history testing. Those are such broad subjects that something one publisher thinks you should have covered is going to be totally different than what someone else thinks you should know. For example, we follow the outline in The Well Trained Mind, so my ds1 has done ancient history, but not American history, though many places would expect him to know that.

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by phathui5

I'd question the value of science and history testing. Those are such broad subjects that something one publisher thinks you should have covered is going to be totally different than what someone else thinks you should know. For example, we follow the outline in The Well Trained Mind, so my ds1 has done ancient history, but not American history, though many places would expect him to know that.

True-- I was looking at the science test for Texas (the one for 5th grade) and I do think it's something DD could pass, as long as I "taught to the test." I might have her take it anyway, just 'cause.

And hey, if we ever move to Texas, DD will meet the standards for 8th grade reading. Whew! I was just impressed that she had the patience to finish the test . . .so long.

Speaking of testing, this might make you laugh (or cry):
NY test scores are TOO HIGH in math; now the standards need to be raised.

Testing is so dumb!

[tankgirl73]

I'd agree about not worrying about testing for science and history. There's no such thing as a "grade level" for those since it's not something like reading where there's an "easy" level where you can easily measure as things are getting progressively more difficult. There are just different topics, and the topics covered in different grades will vary COMPLETELY by what school system you're in.

Heck, do young elementary grades even cover history at all in most schools? Maybe some American history in US schools, perhaps... But not really all that much. And the "science" will tend to be things like... weather can be rainy or sunny or snowy, seeds grow into plants when they have light, animals are living and rocks are not, we have five senses... Pretty basic stuff, MOSTLY which kids would pick up on their own just interacting with nature (given enough nature exposure, of course...)

For reading evaluation, I'd suggest the Schonell reading test. It's online in several locations. It's just a list of words, progressively getting more difficult. The child reads them in order, no second chances or sitting sounding them out for minutes -- they can take a moment to figure it out but have to move on if they don't know quickly. It starts with "tree" and ends with things like "bibliography" and "metamorphosis".

Then you count how many they got right, divide by ten, add 5, and that's their "reading age".

When DS was young, we'd stop partway through when he started getting frustrated with the difficulty of the words. As he got more advanced, though, he was keen to at least TRY every single words, and it was fun when he'd actually figure one out. He's consistently scored about three years above his physical age, which I think is accurate, so I trust this test.

There are other similar tests out there too. One involves reading in columns until you reach a column where they get more than 3 words wrong, and that's their grade level... something like that anyway.

Anyway, here's a Schonell test link:
http://members.tripod.com/~gleigh/readtst.htm