I don't like Stands tests.

A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner - Wikki

I do not like standardized test! I think they measure absolutely nothing!  I had to write a short argumentative paper on the issue in one of my Graduate classes a couple of semesters ago. It was one of those papers were everyone in class was able to read and required to write at least 3 argumentative comments on it! So, it was very hard!  I had to research the test’s limitations, discrepancies, and the lower academic standard since they were re-organized in the 70s.   I also had to debate why they are good to use – which for me was hard to find a reason to like them but I dug deep and found 2. ;) 

As a home school Parent, I just regarded the stands test issue as one in which I wouldn’t voluntarily make my children do.  So, when I discovered that the state, in which we will be moving to, requires all home schoolers to be tested every  year, the issue was taken out of my hands. 

So, let me fast forward! Since, we are going to be in our new state a few months before the school term ends, I decided it would be best just to have scores on file for when we get there.  So, although it is several months before the other children take their exams, and the Little Lady hasn’t finished this year’s curriculum, I had her take the CAT today anyway. (California Achievement Test).

I chose the CAT test to give her. Why? Out of the entire standardized tests (and there are many) in which children can take, you can purchase the 1970 version of the CAT.  This was important to me because the test was not one of the new editions which reflect a lower academic standard. There were other reasons as well. The test could also be done as a paper test or as a computer test. If you took the computer test than the scores were sent to you by email after the test is totally completed. If you took the paper test you only had to wait about a week.  Either way, the wait time for the test results would be fast!

The Little Lady scored mostly in the 98 and 99 percentile. Except for one test which she ranged in the middle of 3rd grade level, the rest of the test results ranged was between 4th and 6th grade level.

This was what I needed to hear! Praise the Lord for the confirmation to keep our little 2nd grader plugging away on the curriculum that we have selected! (It is a hard work load.) And as you all know, as a home school Parent, who chooses their homeschooling curriculum in light of what we feel the Lord would want us to do, it is still easy to second guess if we are doing enough, doing it right, etc., particularly with the amount of curriculum choices there are out there!

Anyway, I am glad that this year’s test is all over! I was so anxious. Here she was taking the test and I felt like I was being graded as her teacher. I was more nervous for her than I was when I took my own Graduate standardized test!  It sounds silly! Doesn't it? When I told Beloved all that I felt he laughed at me and gave me a hug.  I couldn’t help but laugh back but there were tears in my eyes! I was so relieved it was all over -- at least for this year.

* The Little Man just turned 6. So, I chose not to test him since in the new state that we will move to you don't have to start school until you are 7.  He will take the test next year.