The Washington State Home-Based Instruction Law offers parents two methods to meet the annual testing requirement. One, your child can be tested using a State Board of Education-approved standardized achievement test. Or two, an assessment of your child’s academic progress can be written by a certified teacher currently working in the field of education. The testing requirement is for homeschooled children between the ages of 8 and 18.
If you want your child to take a standardized test, it can mean 1 to 2 long, tiring days of sitting through subtest after subtest, either frantically trying to complete the items before time is up, or waiting in boredom for time to lapse until the next session begins. For a child who is easily frustrated, easily bored or has special learning needs such as ADD or ADHD, a group achievement test may not give the best indication of his or her true ability.
Another option is now available. The Mini Battery of Achievement is a State Board of Education-approved achievement test, and covers Reading (Identification, Vocabulary, Comprehension), Mathematics (Calculation, Reasoning & Concepts), Writing (Dictation, Proofreading), and Knowledge (Social Studies, Science, Humanities—Art, Music, Literature). It is individually administered by a certified teacher, who was also a homeschool parent.
There are no practice books or sample tests, so students are assessed on their knowledge, not on their test preparation.
References are available upon request.
Non-test assessments are ideal for children who are unable to complete a standardized test. Children who are cognitively delayed, who have severe speech impairments, or are severely ADD or ADHD are good candidates for a non-test assessment.
To complete a non-test assessment, I will need samples of your child's work, and about one hour of your time to gather information about your child, and to get your impressions of the progress made. From this information, you will receive a portfolio outlining your child's educational background, as well as strengths and accomplishments in each academic area. I can also provide recommendations for the next steps to take in each area, if you so desire. (I love giving advice!) This will be returned to you in a covered portfolio format.
Since non-test assessments are more time intensive than standardized testing, the charge is $75.
For three years, I have been bringing my three children to Camille to complete our annual home school testing. I will admit that I had some reservations that first year about making the 4.5 hour drive from the Kitsap peninsula — mainly regarding the distance, but also the testing process — however, Camille put all my fears to rest as soon as we met. My twin boys are super shy, and very nervous test takers, but after their first session with Camille, and the Mini-Battery Test, they were looking forward to coming back the next year. Camille also made a great impression on my daughter, who has Downs Syndrome, and made the testing process a calming, soothing, enjoyable process for her as well. This will be our next to last year testing with Camille — my daughter is graduating this year, and my twins will graduate in 2012 — and we are all sad that we will not be returning after next year. If your home schooled child has special needs, or is simply nervous when it comes to testing, I would highly recommend bringing them to Camille to complete your annual testing requirement… any amount of driving is worth the experience.
Dyana P.
Silverdale, WA
Phone: (509)735-2460
Email: jamestown@charter.net
Snail Mail:
Camille James
P.O. Box 7012
Kennewick, WA 99336