Pact?

[LeeJenkins]

If you choose the Third Option of homeschooling, I read you do not have to take annual testing in South Carolina. I'm assuming this means the PACT test? I know some of my friends who homeschool who have their children take PACT, but I don't think they use the Third Option. Can someone clear this up for me...?

[Dianna]

If you choose the Third Option of homeschooling, I read you do not have to take annual testing in South Carolina. I'm assuming this means the PACT test? I know some of my friends who homeschool who have their children take PACT, but I don't think they use the Third Option. Can someone clear this up for me...?

Hi Lee,

Most, if not all, third option associations don't require standardized testing. This refers to any standardized test - PACT, SAT, CAT, IOWA, MAT, etc. If you'd like to test, you can order one and administer it at home, with test scores sent directly to you. I have more information about testing in my FAQs at: www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm)

Let me know if you have more questions about testing. Also, I apologize for the delay in answering. I was on vacation last week. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Kelley]

I have thought about testing my kids (for dad and grandma) but I'm a bit distrustful of the school system (I have major issues) and I was wondering are the grades sent to anyone else besides me?

I know that my kids would do fine on the test but I worry about the school system being informed if one of my kids were to completely fail a test or something like that, not that it would happen, but just as an example.

Maybe there is something that the schools are teaching at a certain level that my kids haven't come across yet, things can happen and I'm worried about that reflecting on us overall with the school board.

I just told want the school district coming to me and saying that they want to evaluate my kids because of the results of the test.

[Dianna]

I have thought about testing my kids (for dad and grandma) but I'm a bit distrustful of the school system (I have major issues) and I was wondering are the grades sent to anyone else besides me?

I know that my kids would do fine on the test but I worry about the school system being informed if one of my kids were to completely fail a test or something like that, not that it would happen, but just as an example.

Maybe there is something that the schools are teaching at a certain level that my kids haven't come across yet, things can happen and I'm worried about that reflecting on us overall with the school board.

I just told want the school district coming to me and saying that they want to evaluate my kids because of the results of the test.

Kelley, if you register through a 3rd Option association that doesn't require testing, you're the only one who receives the results of your tests. There are different tests to choose from, and different test companies. Look at my resources and links page at http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/links.htm and click on Standardized Test Suppliers. I use Seton because they are inexpensive and they don't have a deadline to mail the test back for scoring. I'm the only one who receives a copy of my children's test scores.

Different tests cover different subjects, but I would recommend skipping the areas of science and social studies if the test you choose has these sections. These sections could be testing on things that your children haven't learned yet, or learned in the past and aren't good indicators of what your children may know in these subjects. For more information about this topic, please go to my FAQ page at http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm and scroll down to the last section. It discusses Standardized Testing and explains all this in more depth.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I hope others will visit and reply to you about their testing experiences after they recover from the holidays! :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Kelley]

Thanks, science and social studies are the two main issues I would have been worried about with testing because I have a very eclectic approach to them and my kids are often all over the board with what and when they learn in these two areas.

[SChomemomof3]

Do you need to do the pretest thing they offer for like $6 or so?

[Dianna]

Do you need to do the pretest thing they offer for like $6 or so?

No, it's not necessary. I've never done it. Save your money for the test itself. :smile2:

Dianna