What about Testing?

Whether or not you test your child depends on several factors which may change over time. Some states require testing. You may find that testing relieves your own anxieties. You may want to test your child on a regular basis so as to prepare him for the "world of testing" that is certainly out there. If for some reason you later place your child in school, he will have to test. For the foreseeable future, most colleges require testing of all students. Some colleges require more tests of homeschoolers than they do of students in public/private schools. All of this should be considered in your decision to test/not test your child.

If you decide to test your child, I would recommend starting out with testing done for your own information. If this is done is a relaxed, low key way your child should not develop "testing anxiety". There are various places on the web where you can obtain sample tests. Here are some links:

(You will need the free ADOBE ACROBAT reader to download these. If you don't have it, get it here.)

www.scotthochberg.com/taas.html This is the TAAS Test used in Texas for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade. These are previous tests in .pdf format and the answers are provided. There is also information on how many correct answers are needed to pass the test, etc.

Samples of the OHIO proficiency tests for 4th, 6th, 9th, 12th, and Graduation tests in .pdf format.

Samples of Florida's FCAT test for Grades 3 - 10.

Samples of Oregon tests for Grade 1-5 Math and Grade 5 Reading and Literature.

Get the Education Testing Service Demo for Computer based testing here.

Samples of the California STAR test. Stanford 9 samples for Grade 3,7,8,9,10 and 11 and the augmented test (they added questions that would meet new standards.

The National Center for Education Statistics website has links(click on the sample questions tool and you'll be able to get these tests) to tests for Grades 4, 8 and 12 in:
Reading
Geography
Civics
Writing
History
Science
Math