It's that time of year again...the Scantron Assessment. The Scantron Assessment is a test designed to measure a student's proficiency in grade level subject material. These tests are important because it helps to identify gaps in a child's understanding as well as prepare students for similar testing down the road. The format is essentially the same as what they will see on other standardized tests. So what about home school and cyber school children? Do they have to take the test and if so how do they go about it? The short answer is "yes." Home school and cyber school children will also take the Scantron Assessments. Most students will take it twice, once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the year. This will help to determine if the student is ready to progress to the next grade level. It will also measure the student's progress and provide information on the student's stronger and weaker subjects.
For home schooled children who do not attend a virtual school, the Scantron Assessment is usually given through the local public schools or they may be given log in information to take the test online. Those of you who already home school your children know that you must provide various information and meet certain requirements set by the superintendent of the school district in which you live. Taking the Scantron is one of these requirements. If your child does not attend a cyber school you should receive information on where and how to take the assessment. If you do not know where you need to go for the test, please contact the superintendent or school liaison that you have worked with to start homeschooling. Failure to do so may result in your child having to repeat the last grade or worse, the school board may deny you the right to homeschool. (In which case, call the local cyber schools if you do not want your child to attend a physical school.)
Children in cyber schools will receive a link to take the test and log in information that includes the child's identification and the virtual school that they attend. Have your child log in when ready. The Scantron tests typically begin in the third grade and they are adaptive. If your student passes so many grade level questions correctly, then slightly higher subject material will be given until it becomes too hard for the child. Let your students know that this will happen so they do not get frustrated or upset when the work extends beyond their level. The test will end shortly after a student has missed a certain number of questions and the previous grade level will be considered the child's level of proficiency. Some tips to help students are listed below....
1. Take your time, relax and read each question carefully.
2. If you are unsure of answer, try to eliminate the answers you can and guess from the remainders.
3. If you are taking the test in person, use a # 2 pencil and fill in the bubbles carefully.