pa homeschool testing requirementspa homeschool testing requirements

PA Diploma Programs: A Pennsylvania student may fulfill the requirements of a home school organization to receive a home school diploma. The list of approved tests (as of the date of publication of this article-please check the PDE website for updates) can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website and includes: 4. You can also use a test at a higher level if it is more appropriate; again, you can have it normed for the child's actual age/grade. It may take time to contact a test provider, have the test scored, etc - you don't want to be caught short at the end of the year if there's a complication of some sort. In her A Brief Discussion of Individual Achievement Tests, Shirley M.R. --The IOWA Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for grades K-12. Second, only reading and math are required under the homeschool law and the child would have to complete all sections tested for public school students in their grade. ~ PA Home Education Law - The Basics ~ Overview of the PA Home Education Law ~ ~ Affidavit ~ Special Ed ~ Objectives ~ Immunizations & Medical Requirements ~ Compulsory School Age ~ Log ~ Portfolios ~ Portfolio Summaries ~ Portfolio Step-By-Step ~ Required Days/Hours ~ Required Subjects ~ Testing ~ Evaluations ~ Evaluator . The law only requires that they be taken. However, if you feel your home education program may need to withstand a challenge, it remains an option. --The California Achievement Test (CAT-E, survey edition) by mail ($25). The advantages of individual tests, as well as some information about different tests, are discussed in this paper by Shirley M.R. ~ Who needs to test? Any other subject areas are optional. I am not a lawyer! I always made copies of the answer sheets for this reason but never asked whether the testing center would score a photocopy. Your 10th grader administering is fine. Any other human; a relative, sibling, family friend or another homeschool parent may administer the test. The law requires that your school district offer testing for your children if you request it. They are required for graduation from a traditional school. Please double check with your test provider. U.S. Department of Education Pennsylvania: Christian Home Educators Fellowship (CHEF) of Lycoming County: Coalition of Homeschoolers Across Lancaster County (CHALC): Emmaus Christian Homeschool Co-op (EtCH): Harrisburg Area Homeschoolers Association (HAHA): Homeschoolers of Eastern Montgomery County. In general, if you buy a test privately, anyone except the child's parent or guardian may give the test. (That is, the child would take the second grade test, and it would be scored as if a third grader had taken it.) continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires. (24 P.S. Only a few are potentially useful to homeschoolers. He has taken all of the. Dont wait until the last minute! Completion of the graduation requirements of the law. Homeschooling families must follow the law in regard to filing paperwork with their local public school districts, keeping detailed records of the homeschool plan, and contacting an evaluator to access a student's progress. ~~ PA students who are enrolled in a home education program (Act 169) need to test in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades. --The TerraNova, Second Edition/CAT 6. Thank you! As of June 30, 2009, the following tests listed in the June, 2004 PDE Basic Education Circular (BEC) were removed from the list and thus were no longer acceptable: Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPII) , Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, Peabody Individual Test, Wide Range Achievement Test, and the Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement. ~~ Peabody Achievement Individual Test Revised Version If your child is in grade 3, 5 or 8, the portfolio must include the results of a standardized achievement testfor reading/language arts and math. Group testing is one option for home educators. to work with the childs IEP team through the public school or they may decide to meet their childs needs privately by creating an individualized service plan (ISP). Peabody Achievement Individual Test (Revised) 7. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. PA Homeschool Law, a site run by lawyer and former homeschooling mom Beth Phillips, explains that you don't need to include photos or details on everything you did throughout the year. ~~ Bayside School Services offers the California Achievement Test (CAT/5, Complete Battery) by mail ($60). The testing provided by homeschool service providers is not superior to the tests that a parent may order on their own, nor is participation in large group testing required by the Home Education Law in Pennsylvania. Questions about how to homeschool in Pennsylvania? Day schools are also required to report the name and date of withdrawal of any student who is still of compulsory attendance age. In this fb live broadcast, I. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allow homeschoolers to earn state-recognized diplomas. ~ Where can I get more info on testing? The supervisor of a home education program is required to maintain, among other things, results of a standardized achievement test in reading/language arts and mathematics. Homeschooling under the homeschool statute. These students are not under the PA home education law, and their testing requirements are different than the 3rd/5th/8th grade testing required for home ed students. I do not know who scores their Iowas. Check my Evaluator List for an evaluator near you. They also sell the Scoring High books and other test-prep materials. There is no degree requirement for parents. 13-1327.1[a]). Homeschoolers also have the option of participating in the mandatory testing at the local school district (PSSAs or Keystone Exams) but I wouldnt recommend this option for a few reasons. Home educated students do NOT have to take the PSSA. Option 3: Enrolling your child in a satellite of a religious day school. Stanford Achievement Test 8. They typically offer the Terra Nova for about $30-$35. Scores are returned within a week or two after you mail the completed test back. The portfolio must include results of a test in grades 3, 5 and 8. Additionally, many test publishers allow testing accommodations, such as extended time, spoken answers, For core subjects, this may require rigorous annual instruction. The PSSA is a test given to most public school students. (Obviously this aspect is mainly useful for older, college-bound kids who will most likely be taking the PSAT, SAT, etc., or those who may at some point take private school entrance exams.) Pennsylvanias law prescribes three categories of annual requirements for all homeschooling families: For parents of struggling learners, there is an additional step that may apply: program approval. It is also useful for children who are scoring below grade level and who may be upset by a test that is too hard for them. ~~ Riverside Publishing -- In an attempt to help those who want to use the Iowa, and who are seeking an alternative to BJU, a few years back I looked into the possibility of ordering the Iowa directly from the publisher. Start here fork an quick overview: homeschooling laws & requirements, compulsory attendance ages, withdrawal, access to sports & specialist ed. It also has the advantage of helping kids get used to fill-in-the-bubble testing and testing in a group setting. An Overview of the Pennsylvania Homeschooling laws, including information about affidavit, objectives, portfolio, log, testing, curriculum, and evaluations. The department shall establish a list, with a minimum of five tests, of nationally normed standardized tests from which the supervisor of the home education program shall select a test to be administered if the supervisor does not choose the Statewide tests. Make sense? Parents may get upset or depressed because their brilliant child did not score brilliantly on a test. If you are you planning on having your child tested this year in compliance with the Pennsylvania Home Education Law, here is some useful information: Triangle Education Assessments They typically offer the Terra Nova for about $30-$35. * Reading Comprehension82 items measure reading comprehension. Option 2: Homeschooling with a private tutor. So, homeschooled students who take Algebra 1 (required at the secondary level) in a traditional homeschool setting or, say, at a Community College, are not required to take the Keystone exam. Remember that you only need the "reading/language arts and mathematics" parts of the test that you choose. Although school district superintendents no longer review portfolios, a qualified evaluator should expect results in the portfolio in the relevant grades. From the PA Home Education Law regarding testing: (1) A portfolio of records and materials. They promise to return the scores in 1-3 weeks. services, recordkeeping, worked permits, jury charge . There are many reasons why children do not score well on standardized tests, many of which have nothing to do with quality of the home education program. I strongly suggest you read their web site before talking to them or ordering, so you understand these hoops. The total test takes about 1.5 hours." ~~ PA students who are too young to be registered with their school district as home educated students do not have to test, even if they are in third grade or doing third grade work. ET. I recommend that you don't wait until the very end of the year to make testing arrangements! ~~ California Achievement Test HSLDA is the trusted movement leader that makes homeschooling possible by caring for member families and protecting and securing the future of homeschooling. Please help. You should have plenty of time for that before June 30. Thus you may choose to take the PSSAs (for free) at the local public school to fulfull the home ed testing requirement. (I called twice, and I did get the sense that this was a judgment call and might vary somewhat depending on who you talk to.) Scores for any other sections (science, social studies, etc) need not be submitted to the district. The parent determines the grade of the child. After a paper test is administered, you (supervisor or parent) will collect the booklet, score sheet and instructions and mail it back to the supplier from which you ordered the test and wait for the scores. Just to be clear, the law does not define who may administer the test-only that a parent may not. Their web site provides a good description of the test's content. Woodcock-Johnson Revised Test of Achievement III, 11. Remember that local evaluators and support groups may also offer testing in your area. ~~ Terra Nova (Note that not all the tests she discusses fulfill PA's testing requirement.). However, it is my understanding that some folks use a test at a lower grade level if they think it will be more appropriate for their child. (It is a multiple choice test.) Utilize a private tutor with the required qualifications. The publisher only sells the WRAT to qualified people, and only in bulk quantities. It can take 6-8 weeks just to score the tests, and some suppliers only do testing at certain times of the year. any suggestions will help. Looking for homeschooling requirements for Pennsylvania? The test must be proctored by someone other than the parents. The law states that parents cannot test their own children for the required state testing. ~~ PA students who are enrolled in a public cyber-charter school may need to take the PSSAs and/or other tests required by (and provided by) the school. Here are a few details that may be useful. Homeschool Konzeptionelle Guide: Five Steps for a Fantastic Year. VDOMDHTMLtml> Testing Requirements ~ PA Homeschool Law - YouTube The PA homeschool law requires students in grades 3, 5 and 8 to take a standardized test. The most recent update to the Pennsylvania Department of Educations list of Approved Alternative Standardized Tests can be found on their website. Homeschool Academy 13-1327.1. Today is the last day to complete tests started in the Spring testing season , One-Time Assessment vs Yearly Subscription, What to Expect Before, During, and After Testing, How to Give Your Homeschooled Child a Standardized Test, Understanding Your Homeschool Test Results, When to Transition to a Higher Level Test, Homeschool Planning Guide: Five Steps to a Great Year, list of Approved Alternative Standardized Tests, Free High School Homeschool Transcript Template. Note that the PSSA test is usually administered over several days, and the school district will see the scores before you do. Some families whose children score well submit test scores yearly in lieu of a more extensive portfolio. Whether you already homeschool in Pennsylvania or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if youre searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state. * Reading Recognition100 items measure recognition of printed letters and the ability to read words aloud. ~~ Christian Liberty Press offers the California Achievement Test (CAT), 1970 edition, by mail ($25). These results can be included in the portfolio if desired, but it is not required. See here for the company's website (aimed at school systems), and here for sample score reports. Testing & Evaluation What Have We Learned? If your students IEP has been terminated, the answer is no. You can test with the same person who does your evaluations, or you can use another method of testing. (This is not required; see above. ~~ PA Homeschoolers offers local group testing in many areas throughout PA in the fall. The ten were the California Achievement Test, the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, the Peabody Achievement Individual Test Revised Version, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Terra Nova, the Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III, the Woodcock-Johnson IV, and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test III (WIAT-III). A parent or guardian may not be the test administrator. As of February 1, 2017, as per the most recent PDE Home Education Program Basic Education Circular (BEC), the following tests are approved. Can I Legally Homeschool Someone Elses Child Under PA Law. Only scores in reading/language art and math testing is required to be turned into the school districts. Pennsylvania Homeschool Inspection Paint Homeschool Laws Looking in homeschooling requirements for Pennsylvania? They would not be if you are testing just one or two kids, since some of the tests only come in packs of about 25. 1-800-323-9540 At the discretion of the supervisor, the portfolio may included the results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests for other subject areas or grade levels. Office (610) 266-9016, 2023 Bridgeway Academy. They repealed the ban in 2000, after much bad publicity when George W. Bush made a campaign speech there. Understanding Your Homeschool Test Results. The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards. and leave it at that. at the 2nd grade level is not required to be tested. ~~The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test, added to the list of acceptable lists in Feburuary, 2017, is administered online, and adapts to the child's level as they go through the test. * General Information100 verbal items assess general knowledge. Minster notes "This test is unique in that paper and pencil are used only during the written expression section. They explain that, chances are, some questions will be too hard for them, and some may seem very easy. services, recordkeeping, work permits, jury duty . ~~ Debra Bell's Homeschool Resource Center offers the Iowa/ITBS in South-Central PA for about $48. Some people prefer online testing. You can have the tests scored by Riverside. Both are available from Rainbow Resource, Scoring High is available from Mari and from Debra Bell, Spectrum is sometimes available at bookstores like Borders and/or Barnes & Noble. This page provides the resources and information you need to determine whether homeschooling in the Keystone State is right for you. There are basically five ways to get testing: Participating in group testing for homeschoolers, purchasing a mail-order test, arranging for individual testing, using an online test, or testing at a local public school. The homeschool law requires testing in those grades, it does not dictate the test level. You may teach your children at home if your home is an extension or satellite of a religious day school. * Spelling100 multiple choice items measure recognition of correct word spelling. Level I, for K-1, tests pre-writing skills. We use the 2020 norms and the same version of the MAP tests currently in use in schools across the country. If you spend any time at all helping your child with his studies, you already have a more insightful assessment than such a test score gives. of Ed. Regulations and resources for your special needs homeschool. If you choose to have your child take the PSSA at the local public school to fulfill the testing requirement, there is no charge. The PSAT is given via your school district guidance office in October once a year. First, these exams are not required for homeschooled students. (grades K-2, $39.00, grades 3-12, $29.00). An online version of the CAT is also available through Christian Liberty Press. The test generates many types of score reports, most of which are designed for classroom-wide or school-wide assessment. Why You Shouldnt Worry About A Districts Attitude Toward Homeschooling, The Difference Between the Log and the Time Requirement, Early Graduation For Homeschoolers in Pennsylvania. Hi Gina, It amended section 1327, Compulsory School Attendance, to define a properly qualified private tutor and to allow a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of a child to home school their children as an option for complying with compulsory school attendance. Having your child see and maybe work through some test prep materials can not only help your child be comfortable with testing, it can de-mystify the testing for you too. There are no acceptable test scores. If, however, you just want to fulfill the state requirements, it's OK to just do what your friends do, what's most convenient, or what's cheapest! What if my child does poorly on the test? Thank you, This is a significantly earlier edition than most other test providers offer. The only restriction regarding the standardized tests (other than the grades in which they are required) is that they may not be administered by a parent. Here are some ideas for amazingand educationalfield trips around the great state of Pennsylvania! ~~ The Peabody, the Woodcock Johnson, and the WRAT (which is no longer approved) are given individually. The PDE's 2009 BEC states, "If the supervisor of the home education program requests that the student(s) take the PSSA, the school district must allow the student to take the test at the school building the home education student would normally attend or other accommodations agreed to by the school district and the parent." Does the sibling administering the test have to be of a certain age? Many mothers have found that the best solution is to explain to the child that the question-writer is perhaps not all that bright (or assumes the test-takers aren't), and that the game is to pick the answer the question-writer wants rather than the actual technically correct answer. The Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP), You can terminate an IEP by filing a proper revocation of consent to receive special education services. For example BJUP has more restrictions than other suppliers for the same test. You can test at any time during the school year -- beginning, middle, or end. Testing by Mail-Order is another option. The vast majority of PA home education students do not take the PSSA. School districts vary considerably in their interpretation of the home education law. Some test suppliers are speedy, others not so much. A parent whose student has been identified as needing special education services (pursuant to the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]) must address the specific needs of the exceptional student ~~ Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV) They keep pressuring me and saying that he has to take the Keystone exams for Algebra 1 because he takes that class at the school. Don't worry too much about testing, OK? Complete Battery/Plus K-12 ($45) or Survey Battery/Plus 2, 3, 4, 6-12 ($45) No bachelor's degree required. I believe that everyone should read the law for themselves, read a few opinions about it, and decide for themselves what approach makes sense for their family. ~~ Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III Other families have their evaluator administer the test during their end-of-year evaluation; in this case the evaluator can often score the test immediately. Report the names and residences of all enrolled children between 6 and 18 years of age. The company will return the scores to you. In some areas, group testing is something of a yearly community event, and some kids are less intimidated if their friends are testing alongside them. Homeschooling in Pennsylvania: How To Comply With the Law in 8 Easy Steps (Revised and Updated in 2020) $ 10.00 Add to cart; Private Tutor Guide for PA Homeschool Parents $ 35.00 Add to cart; School District Shenanigans (revised edition) $ 35.00 Add to cart; Virtual Workshop $ 77.00 Purchase Here; The weak areas may be the priorities for your next year. They have a reputation for speedy score return, and they are very gentle with the 3rd graders, many of whom have never been tested before. It does not constitute legal advice by the publisher and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the publisher and reader. Minster, M.S. they submitted an affidavit). ~~ The CTBS and the CAT can usually be given by anyone. The Vice Principal said according to the dept. 1. They may or may not follow the same scope and sequence as the curriculum you are using. "The supervisor shall ensure that the nationally normed standardized tests or the Statewide tests shall not be administered by the child's parent or guardian.". (They had the Iowa scored by the test publisher, Riverside Publishing, and thus were a good choice for those seeking an alternative to BJU.). and have the program approved by a teacher with a valid certificate from the Commonwealth to teach special education or a licensed clinical or certified school psychologist (24 P.S. Enrolling your child in a satellite of a religious day school. What if my child does poorly on the test? That being said, the testing requirement is based on academic performance, not age. I must also mention that I've always been a bit queasy about the idea of doing business with Bob Jones University, due to their only-recently-repealed ban on inter-racial dating. Most people I know have used either the CAT from Seton (if they want to use a mail-order fill-in-the-bubble test), the WRAT (which is no longer an option) from a local evaluator (particularly for children for whom fill-in-the-bubble-style testing would be traumatic), or local group testing for homeschoolers, such as is offered by some local homeschooling support groups. Some evaluators only verify that the scores were obtained and dont consider them at all to determine whether an appropriate education has occurred. Follow the steps listed below the option you wish to use: Option 1: Homeschooling under the homeschool statute. Provide the required days, hours, and subjects listed above. They say it is "easy to administer" and that "Reading, mathematics, and spelling are assessed in a simple, nonthreatening format that requires only a pointing response for most items." They do NOT test the overall effectiveness of your home education program. The Peabody Achievement Individual Test - Revised. ~~ PA Homeschoolers offers local group testing in many areas throughout PA in the fall. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV) 3. The only restriction on who may give the test to the student in grades 3, 5, and 8 is that it cannot be the parent. (That is, they feel that they can submit fewer samples of work because the test scores are an objective assessment of their child's "sustained progress in the overall program".). Im sure others will benefit from your experience. There are several of these non-profit programs available. Act 169 of 1988 authorized parents, guardians and legal custodians to teach their children at home. ~~ Woodcock-Johnson IV Public School: You may arrange for your child to take the PSSAs at your local public school. Be aware that this may be a dead-end there are a lot of hoops to jump through. (Most parents have a pretty good idea of this anyway.) Please double-check legal information with appropriate sources. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided a list of 10 tests to choose from. Heres some guidance to help navigate Pennsylvanias legal requirements for homeschooling a struggling learner. For home educated students, testing is only required in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades, and any of the tests on the list above will fulfill this requirement. ~~ Piedmont Education Services, a homeschool company in North Carolina, offers the California Achievement Test, Fifth Edition (CAT/5), 1993 version ($40). This should not be used to avoid taking the tests (promoting your second grader to fourth in order to avoid testing in 3rd grade). Your circumstances may be different! ~~ PA students who are privately tutored are not required to test at all, ever. I have no idea whether Keystones are in any way tied to Average Daily Membership (attendance) which is a metric to determine state funding but I know districts are penalized if students who participate in those key courses do not take the Keystone exams related to those courses. The tutor must be certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to teach in the public schools of Pennsylvania, teach one or more children who are members of a single family, provide the majority of the instruction, and receive a fee or other consideration for teaching. They vary in scope and time length. The PA Home Education law requires that in grades three, five, and eight results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics or the results of Statewide tests administered in these grade levels be included in the childs portfolio. When the scores come in, you may choose how much to tell your child about their scores; some families go into detail, others say, "You did great, good job!" They are: The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test may also be used. This web page by Pauline Harding for Art Nurk. (They had the Iowa scored by the test publisher, Riverside Publishing, and thus were a good choice for those seeking an alternative to BJU. MAP assessments are grade independent and adapt to each students instructional level. The student chooses one of four pictures that best illustrates a sentence. ~~ Metropolitan Achievement Test The school district will administer the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) at the school district with no cost. Some homeschoolers arrange in person independent testing. Testing required by homeschool law. If youre living in Pennsylvania and are looking into homeschooling, youre in the right place! Prices seem to be competitive if you are testing a group, especially if you will be doing it annually. I make this suggestion not from the point of view of helping your child score higher, but rather helping a child who may never have taken a test before understand what its going to be like, so they are comfortable emotionally with the testing. Basically, you buy a test from a supplier, have a suitable person give it to your child, and send it back. On the other hand, many families object to testing for a variety of reasons, and do/submit only the minimum required by law. If you are hoping to gain useful information from the testing, rather than just fulfilling the state requirements, you will want to choose carefully.