Assessment Information

Narrative Testing

Children in grades 1-3 do not need standardized tests. You or someone you designate may write a ‘Year-End Narrative Assessment’

  • Please list your child’s name, grade level and the school district.Include your name and contact information (and the name of the person writing the assessment, if it is not you.)
  • Year-End Narrative Assessment may be written by a certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel, or the person in charge of the home instruction with Superintendent Approval.
  • The Year-End Narrative Assessment is generally a one-page overview of the student’s learning. It is recommended that you look over samples of work your child has done for the year before beginning to write. The Assessment should focus on the growth and achievements over the year in all content areas.
  • List the high points or areas of strength in each of the content areas.
  • List those areas that need improvement or weaknesses that could be addressed in next year’s Individualized Home Instruction Plan.
  • Write a paragraph identifying whether the work accomplished was adequate or inadequate to be promoted to the next grade

 

Standardized Testing

Children in grades 4-8 must take standardized tests at least every other year (or every year if you wish.) On alternate years, you must write a narrative assessment.

  • Children in grades 4-8, may be able to test in their neighborhood school, depending upon the district’s Board of Ed Policy. Contact the school in the fall for to ask if this is possible.
  • Once testing has occurred, send in OFFICIAL TEST RESULTS as soon as possible. Only the official results that are sent from the testing service will be accepted as evidence of testing.
  • New York State Home Instruction Regulations requires that students in grades 9-12 be tested EVERY YEAR. It is recommended that a New York State certified teacher administer the test, although the parent may do so with the Superintendent’s approval. You are responsible for buying and administering the test so please make sure you allow time for ordering and shipping. You may want to also do an Internet search for other sources.
  • Students in grades 10 or 11 can take the PSAT in October. Contact the school guidance counselor.
  • Students in grades 11-12 may also take ACT (www.act.org) or SAT or SAT II from College Board (www.collegeboard.com).
  • 12TH graders may also use any college placement test that is given by a college or university.

 

Standardized Testing Resources

California Achievement Test: Bayside School Services
PO Box 250, Devil Hills, NC 27948
1-800-723-3057

IOWA test and Stanford Achievement Tests: Bob Jones University Press Testing and Evaluation Services
1-800-845-5731
*order early, you must provide some credentials that you are home instructed as in the letter you received accepting your notification of home instruction.

Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS): Hewitt Homeschooling Resources
P.O. Box 9, Washougal, WA 98671-0009
(360) 835-8708, Fax (360) 835-8697
http://hewitthomeschooling.com

 

Students Ages 16 and up: Thinking about Higher Education Opportunities

  • Once your child turns 16 and completes that year of schooling, it is your choice to submit paperwork or not, even if he/she continues with home instruction. However, be aware that if sometime in the future you request a Superintendent’s Letter of Substantial Equivalency for college, OR dual-credit at a community college such, or for Tuition Assistance Program applications, we will need to have complete documentation for all four years of high school: four IHIPs, all quarterly reports, and four standardized tests.
  • You may also be interested in a 24 Credit Hour Program offered through a local community college. That enables students to earn a General Equivalency Diploma through the successful completion of college coursework.

 

Superintendent’s Letter of Substantial Equivalency

If you wish your child to receive a Superintendent’s Letter of Substantial Equivalency, contact the Questar III Home Instruction Service early in the spring of your child’s last year of high school. At that point a copy of your child’s High School Compliance Checklist will be reviewed. When all records are in order, Questar III will send a copy of this checklist onto the Superintendent, who is ultimately responsible for writing the letter.

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