NC law requires that each home school student who is at least age 7 but not yet age 16 must be administered a nationally standardized achievement test annually.
North Carolina Department of Non- Public Education
Link to finding out about nationally standardized achievement test vendors:
http://www.ncdnpe.org/hhh113.aspx
Testing FAQs link: http://www.ncdnpe.org/hhh114s.asp
Find out where to do the testing here:
Testing Locations and Websites
More about Homeschooling Laws and Requirements:
“The North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education requires each student, that is at least age 7 but not yet age 16, have a nationally standardized achievement test administered annually to each student. The test must involve the subject areas of English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. Records of the test results must be retained at the school for at least one year.”
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarti…
Listed below are several of the most commonly used achievement tests. Each has a total composite score and subscores.
For more info about testing requirements and such visit the DNPE website athttp://www.ncdnpe.org/hhh103.asp
Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) This is a top-rated nationally standardized achievement test designed to evaluate thinking skills. This test takes less time to administer than the Stanford and permits a wider grade range of students to be tested at the same time. This test is considered to be among the most difficult tests. Grades 3-8 may be tested together; grades 9-12 may be tested together. Qualifications for test administration: a 4-year baccalaureate degree
in any field. Directions for administration are supplied at no additional cost. Tests are supplied and returned to suppliers for scoring. Tests are given orally through grade 2.
Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) Not to be confused with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (also SAT). A top-rated nationally standardized test for K-12. Listening skills are included for K – 8th grade. The test administrator must have a baccalaureate degree in any field, plus meet additional test administering guidelines. The publisher of this test has strict guidelines that must be followed when testing any relative. The test supplier can supply you with specifics before ordering the test. Qualifications for test administrators and directions for administration must be purchased.
California Achievement Test (CAT) This test is popular among Christian schools and home schools because it contains more traditional values than other tests listed. Parents administer the test and send it back to be scored and returned. You must request percentile scoring and /or stanine results or you will only receive raw scores and grade equivalents. This test is intended for grades 2 – 12.
California Achievement Test (CAT/5) This test is an updated version of the CAT. For grades K-12; tests reading, language, spelling, mathematics, study skills, science and social studies.
Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) The CTBS tests all academic areas including reading, language arts, spelling, math, science, social studies and reference skills for grades 1 – 12. With the CTBS scores, you receive a professional critique.
Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS) The states of Alaska, New York, and North Carolina have officially approved the PASS Test for purposes of state reporting. Testing results show overall achievement as well as performance in each subject. The test is standardized and children’s scores are compared with both national and
home-schooling populations. Because of the inherent stress of testing and our informal approach to teaching lower elementary grades, the PASS Test is available for only Grades 3 through 8.
National Standardized Testing Resources
Bayside School Services 1-800-723-3057 www.baysideschoolservices.com Bayside offers the best do-it-yourself standardized achievement tests, available all year. They give you original publisher materials plus genuine CTB scoring reports and include free practice exercises for all grades (K-6 for the CAT/5) where available.
Bob Jones University Press 1-800-845-5731 www.bjup.com We offer the Iowa ($37) and Stanford ($38) achievement tests. Test materials are mailed to the qualified tester and must be returned for scoring within 50 days of receipt.
Christian Liberty 1-847-259-8736 www.homeschools.org, then click Independent Services to order online. The test is the 1970 version of the CAT for grades 2-12 and costs $20 per child and you don’t have to pick a week to take it. You have an indefinite amount of time to get it done, as long as you mail it back within a year.
Family Learning Organization 1-800-405-8378, www.familylearning.org/ When you order a CAT you will receive the test booklet, the answer form and complete instructions. You have two weeks to administer and return the tests. We will score the answer form and send you a report for each test. This scoring process may take from 3 to 8 weeks,
depending on volume of orders being received.
Hewett Educational Resources 1-360-835-8708 Offers the The PASS Test was developed specifically for home school parents to administer at home and it is untimed. You have four weeks after receiving the testing material in which to administer the test. We offer discounted rates for groups of ten or more tests. http://hewitthomeschooling.com/test/tmain.asp
Seton School 1-540-636-9990 www.setonhome.org/ Offers CAT-E Survey Tests, K-12, to administer at home, at your convenience for $25 anytime of the year.
Thurbers 1-919-967-5282, http://thurbers.net/ Rents The California Achievement Test (C.A.T./5)� for from $20-25.
Nationally Standardized ACHIEVEMENT TEST VENDORS from the DNPE site:http://www.ncdnpe.org/hhh113.asp
North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education – Laws
pertaining to homeschooling in North Carolina
North Carolina DNPE Home School Information
http://www.ncdnpe.org/homeschool.aspx
Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School in the State of North
Carolina
http://www.ncdnpe.org/registration/hhh110b.aspx
NC Division of Non-Public Education’s FAQs including Testing
NC Law requires that home educators test all children aged 7 and over
with yearly standardized testing.
http://www.ncdnpe.org/hhh114.aspx
Home School Legal Defense Association