pa homeschool testing requirements

askPauline.com - PA Homeschooling - Testing When an IEP is terminated, the public school district will not provide services; thus, the child no longer needs services pursuant to the provisions of IDEA. An online version of the CAT is also available through Christian Liberty Press. FairTest, The National Center for Fair and Open Testing, Lowering Compulsory School Age: Philadelphia, The PA Home Education Testing Requirements, FairTest, The National Center for Fair and Open Testing. There are many ways to obtain this testing for your child. The test results in math and reading/language arts or the results of the Statewide tests must be included in the annual portfolio. Skip to content . But before we get to the details, I want to remind you to keep these tests in perspective. They explain that, chances are, some questions will be too hard for them, and some may seem very easy. The tests are scored by Seton. Here are some of the more common ones: ~~ Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III . Some support groups make in person testing available and provide a proctor, as do some evaluators. "At the discretion of the supervisor, the portfolio may include the results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests for other subject areas or grade levels.". Public School: You may arrange for your child to take the PSSAs at your local public school. Can I Legally Homeschool Someone Elses Child Under PA Law. The test must be one of the tests approved by the PA Department of Education. For core subjects, this may require rigorous annual instruction. You might be surprised to discover there are several different kinds of tools that can help you! 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. 13-1327.1[e][1]). Note that, in addition to the tests listed above, the PSSA test is acceptable to meet the testing requirement. They typically offer the Terra Nova for about $30-$35. No. services, recordkeeping, work permits, jury duty . 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. It should be noted that you are the one who defines what grade your child is in, not the age of the student. Each test is different, but most come in a different version for each grade level. If you dont want to go through the process of claiming a religious exemption to the test (you can check out this handy fact sheet: http://www.elc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ELC_FactSheet_TestingOptOut_March2014.pdf), I guess you can challenge the school to show you exactly where in the law your son is required. ~ How much will it cost? PDF HOMESCHOOLING IN PENNSYLVANIA: A FACT SHEET - Pottsgrove Middle School The homeschool law requires testing in those grades, it does not dictate the test level. Peabody Achievement Individual TestRevised Version, Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test III (WIAT-III). See list below. You might also want to request a catalog. To meet these requirements by homeschooling in Pennsylvania, you must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and not have been convicted of any major criminal offenses in the previous five years. 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. The Scoring High series (which prepares students for a particular test) and the Spectrum workbooks (which are more generic, not geared to a particular test, and less expensive) are popular choices. 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. Be sure to praise your child for the strong areas and work on the weak areas. I strongly suggest you read their web site before talking to them or ordering, so you understand these hoops. The supervisor also determines the test level. Some families do a "you test my kid, I'll test yours" swap. Homeschoolers must submit an affidavit for the 12 th grade year, complete the state-mandated graduation requirements, complete an annual evaluation for the 12 th grade . 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; There's no reason to include poorly completed work. You can find additional information on Home School Legal Defense Associations (HSLDA) website as well: Pennsylvania HSLDA Reference. Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws | The PA Home Education Testing Requirements The publisher only sells the WRAT to qualified people, and only in bulk quantities. 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!" Follow the steps listed below the option you wish to use: Option 1: Homeschooling under the homeschool statute. Thus you may choose to take the PSSAs (for free) at the local public school to fulfull the home ed testing requirement. School Required for Ages: 6-18 Notification Required: Yes Teacher Qualifications: No, except option 1 State Mandated Subjects: Yes Assessment requirements: No, except option 1 Immunization requirements: Yes View Complete Details No notice, Low regulation Low regulation Moderate regulation High regulation How to Homeschool in Pennsylvania Video I dont know much about the score reports for the other tests. (Note: This company has the tests scored by Riverside, the test publisher, not by BJU, and thus may be a suitable choice for those who want the Iowa but prefer not to do business with BJU.) Assuming that the children score well, this can be a useful strategy for those whose home education program must withstand scrutiny or criticism, such as from an ex-spouse. They do not test character, or resourcefulness, or politeness, or other difficult-to-test things that many homeschoolers consider to be part of their school program. He has taken all of the. ~~ Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) <--NEW! Not sure what to do. For more information about the Pennsylvania (PA) homeschool testing requirements, contact Homeschool Boss today. They also offer the same test in a online version. Only scores in reading/language art and math testing is required to be turned into the school districts. I have always returned the materials via first class mail but you may want to take the extra precaution of mailing it with confirmation of some sort. Pauline's Guide to . Group testing is one option for home educators. (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".). 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. Testing for these public school students is discussed here. Homeschool Konzeptionelle Guide: Five Steps for a Fantastic Year. Spring testing season is now open by registration . The most familiar environment for homeschooled students is most likely the home, not a classroom or other rented space utilized by a testing service. It is important to test at the grade level most accurately reflecting your childs current functioning level in the majority of subjects. and leave it at that. Other kids, especially younger ones, might be intimidated by group testing; it is not the right choice for everyone. Online tests are considered self-proctored or computer-proctored so you dont have to recruit another person to administer it. I recommend this test if your child dislikes having to write a lot. If you choose online, no separate person is necessary as the computer (software) is the proctor. Some homeschoolers arrange in person independent testing. They also offer the Terra Nova ($60). I do not know who scores their Iowas. ~~ PA Homeschoolers offers local group testing in many areas throughout PA in the fall. The test generates many types of score reports, most of which are designed for classroom-wide or school-wide assessment. Blog. Here's who this guide is for: Parents who want to homeschool in Pennsylvania but have heard it's super-complicated. Is the on line option a good choice or are there downfalls to using that service? ~~ PA Homeschoolers offers local group testing in many areas throughout PA in the fall. The law requires testing in grades 3, 5 and 8 but the parent determines the students grade level regardless of the childs age. They require Iowa Test administrators to have a bachelor's degree. MAP assessments are grade independent and adapt to each students instructional level. It is up to each individual family to choose what is best for their children. Some families whose children score well submit test scores yearly in lieu of a more extensive portfolio. Sorry. Please take the information you find useful from these pages and ignore the rest. ~~ The Peabody, the Woodcock Johnson, and the WRAT (which is no longer approved) are given individually. Be sure to make a copy of the completed answer sheet in case it gets misplaced or damaged, though Ive never had a problem. There is a sample Stanford/SAT score report here. Here are a few details that may be useful. Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws & Requirements | Time4Learning Thank you! Home School Education. State-by-State Guide. There may be areas that you have not even covered yet. They only allow qualified people to administer the tests. written notice of the approval with the annual affidavit. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. ~~ The CAT has a survey version and a more expensive complete battery version. You, the parent, determine what grade your child is in, and what level test is appropriate for the child. Were available by phone (540-338-5600) MF 8:30 a.m.5:00 p.m. 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! Some private schools, such as Upattinas in Chester County , also offer group testing. * Written Expressionassesses written language skills for two levels. A hypothetical example would be, "When is the sun directly overhead?" Call your districts high school guidance office early September. 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. Your decision (if your successful in challenging) may affect the schools decision in the future to allow homeschoolers to participate in classes that are graded. If you experience a delay on either end, contact the company directly. Remember that you only need the "reading/language arts and mathematics" parts of the test that you choose. You can test at any time during the school year -- beginning, middle, or end. askPauline.com - PA Home Ed Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws | PA Homeschooling - Testing - askPauline.com If you are homeschooling a child with special needs, you need to follow your states homeschool regulations, along with the additional requirements below. Any other human; a relative, sibling, family friend or another homeschool parent may administer the test. ), Remember also that a child who scored in, say, the 10. 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. The total test takes about 1.5 hours." The Online NWEA Measures of Academic Progress Tests are a great way to fulfill the Pennsylvania (PA) homeschool testing requirements. FairTest is an organization that expresses concern about the increased use of standardized testing. Pauline's Guide to Portfolios -- Homeschooling in PA ~ Who can give the test? Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) 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. Student work samples, which can include writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student. of Ed. See Bob Jones University v. United States, 1983. NOTE--> As of the October, 2014 change to the PA Home Education Law, 3rd/5th/8th grade test scores are no longer given to the superintendent. One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! ~~ Bayside School Services offers the California Achievement Test (CAT/5, Complete Battery) by mail ($60). You will find that most of them are simple multiple-choice tests. Additionally, day schools are supposed to report any child who has been absent from school for three days without lawful excuse. ~~ Seton Home Study School offers several options. (They offer several aptitude tests, which do NOT meet PAs testing requirement.) ~ Where can I get more info on testing? Therefore, effective with the 1992-93 academic year the Agency will now accept a Pennsylvania Homeschoolers diploma as satisfaction of the Agency's high school graduation test for State Grant purposes. If your child does not do well on the test, and you are concerned about putting these test scores in the portfolio, you have several choices. "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.". Start here for a quicker overview: homeschooling laws & requirements, compulsory attendance ages, withdraw, access to athletic & special ed. So, for example, its perfectly legal to administer a 2nd or 1st grade level test to a third grade student. This is a significantly earlier edition than most other test providers offer. Also, remember that you can write a paragraph or two about the issue and put that into the portfolio, if you wish. There are several of these non-profit programs available. Pennsylvania Home Education Law - Homeschool Pennsylvania Start here fork an quick overview: homeschooling laws & requirements, compulsory attendance ages, withdrawal, access to sports & specialist ed. 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. 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. The tutor must file a copy of his or her Pennsylvania certification and required criminal history record with the superintendent of the school district where the students live. ~~ Family Learning Organization carries the California Achievement Test (CAT/5, Complete Battery, $37) and the CAT Survey ($37) by mail. PA Homeschool Requirements: What Homeschooling Parents in Pennsylvania I believe the scoring of most standardized tests take into account the time of year the test is given, to make sure there is no scoring penalty for testing earlier in the year. Sometimes a school district says or implies that homeschoolers HAVE to take the PSSA; this is NOT true. 13-1327.1 (e) (1) states that the portfolio for home education students in grades 3, 5 and 8 must include the results of the statewide tests (PSSAs) for reading/language arts and mathematics or nationally normed standardized achievements tests. * Spelling100 multiple choice items measure recognition of correct word spelling. Testing does not have to be done in a group setting. I'm also not sure if all subtests need to be given to fulfill the law's requirements.) Keep in mind that there may be only three questions on a particular skill and on the basis of those, a child is scored as average, below average, or above average on that skill. In Pennsylvania, a student identified pursuant to the provisions of the IDEA as needing special education services shall be in compliance with the homeschool law when the program addresses the specific needs of the student and is approved by a They also sell the Scoring High books. The PA Home Education Testing Requirements (It is a "statewide" test.) They typically offer the Terra Nova for about $35. You should have plenty of time for that before June 30. You must also submit a notarized affidavit yearly to the superintendent's office of the student's home school district. Be sure to order the test level that you prefer, regardless of your childs grade or age. If you homeschool your kid, you are governed by the PA Home General Laws - non your school district . Students of compulsory school age participating in a home education program are subject to sections 1327 (d) and 1327.1 of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. 13-1327 (d) and 1327.1). For practical tips on testing accommodations from HSLDAs special needs consultants, click here. Some homeschoolers arrange in person independent testing. Some families test in the early fall this gives you plenty of time before the deadline to deal with any problems that may arise. Prior to June 30, 2009, the acceptable test list included the California Achievement Test (CAT), the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIII), the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, the Peabody Individual Test, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Terra Nova, the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), and the Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement. 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. Option 3: Enrolling your child in a satellite of a religious day school. Although school district superintendents no longer review portfolios, a qualified evaluator should expect results in the portfolio in the relevant grades. The SAT code for home educators is 970000. Office (610) 266-9016, 2023 Bridgeway Academy. Check out my ~~ 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. Heres some guidance to help navigate Pennsylvanias legal requirements for homeschooling a struggling learner.