This week Cameron is participating in the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) and the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT).  Currently, our state (Texas) requires testing for all PUBLIC SCHOOL children and they must pass at certain levels in order to  move to the next grade and graduate from High School.  Private and Home School educated children are not regulated by the state and are not forced to take this test-I think they now use the TASP or TAKS or something like that.  Having children in public school for years, I saw the enormous amount of time spent "teaching to the test".

Why then, if we are not "required" to take any formal testing, do we sign Cameron up for it? Our family does it for several reasons:

a) testing IS a part of education-moreso in higher levels-high school and beyond-we want Cameron to be comfortable in that kind of "testing" environment-our daughter suffers from test anxiety so we know and understand how stressful this can be on a child...by making this a normal part of Cameron's school year, he now knows how to take the test, when the test is coming and that the test helps us to be better able to help him

b)  it helps to have an "outside" test to help measure what Cameron is learning (or not learning).  We did this for the first time last year and were glad to see our own personal evaluations confirmed by the testing-

c)that in turn helps us to have a better idea in which direction to move with his studies-got a low math score?  add more emphasis on math next year-be more creative in study-review areas that might need review.... if Cameron scores high in reading comprehension, then we can lessen his workload in that area to concentrate on an area he struggles with.

I like this testing schedule (unlike our public school's schedule)-it is every year (if we so choose), around the same time of the year (towards the end of the school year) and is done in one week during a 4 day time period.  4 days-8:30am-11:30am.....boom you're done.  We are actually very close to a private school that is already set up to do the testing, and they invite our homeschooled children to take it with their students!

My husband and I both grew up taking the California Achievement Test (CAT) and the MAT test (not sure what those acronyms stood for). I actually enjoyed the test.

I know some families do not do formal testing or do it everyother year.  That's ok, too-it is the joy of homeschooling-YOU get to make the decisions about your child's education!  Isn't that great?

Well, here is a little "blurb" about the 2 tests Cameron is taking today:

OLSAT: What does the OLSAT measure? "The Otis Lennon School Abilities Test measures the cognitive abilities that relate to a student's ability to learn in school. By assessing students' thinking skills, the OLSAT 8 provides an understanding of a student's relative strengths and weaknesses in performing a variety of reasoning tasks. This information allows educators to design educational programs that will enhance students' strengths while supporting their learning needs. When administered with Stanford 10, OLSAT 8 scores may also be used to relate a student's actual achievement with his or her school ability."

SAT: The standard of excellence in achievement testing for over 80 years, the Stanford Achievement Test Series now offers a state-of-the-art tenth edition to measure student progress toward high academic standards. The Stanford 10 (SAT 10) multiple-choice assessment will help educators find out what students know and are able to do. This technically excellent instrument provides the valid and reliable tool needed for objective measurement of achievement. Administrators will obtain reliable data to evaluate progress toward meeting the challenges set forth by the No Child Left Behind Act and national and state standards and high expectations. Teachers will identify and help children who are at risk of being left behind. Parents will understand what their children know and can do and how they can help.