Dear Homeschoolers:
There is still time to pre-register for our Fall Testing service using the Terra Nova achievement test. This testing in reading, language arts, and mathematics meets all requirements for 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade testing as required by Pennsylvania lawand we also test the other years (4th grade and up) that are not required.
If you pre-register by our deadline you receive a $5 discount (cost is just $25) but the deadline is coming up quickly
so act now J. If you register at the door (which you are very welcome to do!) the fee is $30.
Snail-mail registrations need to be postmarked by Tuesday, October 3, 2006, using a form found if you click on Fall Testing at www.pahomeschoolers.com . You can register online until Friday (October 6) by clicking on Enter Store at www.pahomeschoolers.com.
Our testing service is known for both professionalism (weve been offering a testing service since 1989!), prompt return of scores (within a week in most cases!), and a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the students and parents.
We hope to see you at one of our Fall Testing sites. We have locations near to almost all major areas of the stateyou can find the full schedule for testing dates right on our website at www.pahomeschoolers.com , and if you click on a location, youll get a map to that test site.
Please forward this email note on to any homeschool friends, maybe through your homeschool group or co-op. Thanks so much!
Susan and Howard Richman,
Pennsylvania Homeschoolers | 
Posted by Anonymous 
Oct. 14, 2006 - More Testing Information
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 child's portfolio. 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:
~ 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. Any other family member may
administer the test to the child - many families use an older sibling.
~ The parent determines the grade of the child. If you say that your child
is in 2nd grade even though his chronological age would put him in 3rd
grade, then you do not need to have him tested.
~ The child does not need to take the same grade test as he is currently in.
For example, if you are concerned that your "3rd grader" is not reading
proficiently yet, you may have him take a 1st or 2nd grade test.
~ The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided a list of 10 tests
to choose from. They vary in scope and time length. See list below.
~ Home educated children do NOT have to take the PSSA tests. (I strongly
recommend that they do NOT. The PSSA test is an assessment of the public
education system and the child would have to go into the school to take it.)
~ Only scores in reading/language art and math testing are required to be
turned into the school districts. Any other subject areas are optional and
those scores should be personal.
~ There are no "acceptable" test scores. The law only requires that the
tests be taken. The school districts may not refuse your right to home
school based solely upon the test results. However, weakness in all items
that the superintendent sees to determine "appropriate education" at the end
of the year may be problematic.
~ Anyone may order an achievement test from the test companies listed below.
Not all suppliers have the same requirements for test administers.
~ 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.
~ Testing does not have to be done at a 'testing site' or even with a group.
Studies have in fact shown that students do better being tested in familiar
surroundings, and for homeschoolers, that would be home.
~ Testing can be less expensive when tests are ordered through the mail from
a test supplier when compared with the costs of testing provided by a
homeschooling achievement testing business.
List of PDE approved tests:
(1) California Achievement Test
(2) Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIII)
(3) Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
(4) Iowa Test of Basic Skills
(5) Metropolitan Achievement Test
(6) Peabody Individual Test
(7) Stanford Achievement Test
(8) Tera Nova
(9) Wide Range Achievement Test
(10) Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement
List of Test Suppliers http://www.phea.net/HomeEdTesting.html