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jdostalik Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 9:50am | IP Logged
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A quick question...
I am thinking of having my dd, 12, tested...just to get a basic idea where she falls in the whole standardized test world .
I've never had any of my kids tested before, are there any of you veteran moms out there that have tested your kids and have an opinion regarding Stanford Achievement vs. Iowa? I have no idea if one is regarded as being better than the other?
Thanks for any words of wisdom...I am not one who feels obligated to test my children, but thought since the opportunity is five minutes away from my home, it might be interesting to see how she does!
__________________ God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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I have to test mine every year, but I use the Cat 5 through Seton.
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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KackyK Forum All-Star
Joined: May 22 2007 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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I don't have experience with the Iowa test.
But I remember a LONG time ago we did the Stanford...and it was hard. It included everything, not just math and language arts. So we didn't fare so well. We had done science and history, but not what THEY had on the test.
We usually do the CAT thru Seton and it is just the math and language. And that one has always seemed to be right where we are academically.
__________________ KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 11:29am | IP Logged
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I don't know anything about whether one or another is better regarded, harder, etc. One thing I wanted to comment on, though, is that different tests have different rules about who can administer them, whether you can do your own dc alone or if you need to include other families' children if you are giving the test, whether the person giving the test needs to have a college degree, etc. Some of these rules might sound silly, I know, but as a heads up you might want to look into some of these kinds of things. You choice of test might depend on whether you can meet those kinds of requirements.
Peace,
Nancy
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MaryM Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
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I read this as you are planning to have her tested by an outside source so the things Nancy mentioned while true, wouldn't be a consideration for you.
I don't know that one is supposed to be more difficult or better than the other. I do know both are longer and cover more subjects than the CAT. Differences I am aware of are:
Stanford tests evaluate listening skills through grade 8, Iowa through grade 3.
Stanford tests are administered untimed; Iowa tests are timed.
__________________ Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Martha in VA Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 15 2006 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 1:00pm | IP Logged
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KackyK wrote:
I don't have experience with the Iowa test.
But I remember a LONG time ago we did the Stanford...and it was hard. It included everything, not just math and language arts. So we didn't fare so well. We had done science and history, but not what THEY had on the test.
We usually do the CAT thru Seton and it is just the math and language. And that one has always seemed to be right where we are academically.
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This is exactly my experience too.
__________________ Blessed wife & mom to
4dds,miracle son 4/09, 2 in heaven
My Conversion Blog
Our Family Blog
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Lara Sauer Forum All-Star
Joined: June 15 2007 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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My children take the CAT 5 (California Achievement Test). This is comprehensive test along the lines of the Iowa and Stanford. (They had formerly taken the Stanford, but for reasons I am not sure of, the distributor that I had used was no longer able to run the testing.)
I order my tests through the FAMILY LEARNING ORGANIZATION. They have the most economical testing services that I have ever found (this will be our 11th year testing!) and I have never had a problem getting the testing material (order early!) or in getting the testing results back in a timely manner. This year for the first time ever, we had to re-order our test scores since we misplaced the first ones they sent, and that was handled well also.
Their web address is: http://www.familylearning.org
I hope this is helpful.
__________________ You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can't take the Wisconsin out of the girl!
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folklaur Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
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Just as another option, for those who might be interested, we have used KidTest. There is a discount for HSLDA members, and you can do the tests, online and at home, and the results come right away ( I think they are instant...). When I tested dd18 over the years through them, and then also through some of the others mentioned (Seton and Iowa), the results were quite similar. They are pretty cheap too - like $10 to $15, depending on how in depth the test is.
Their site is down for maintenance right now, but it might be another option to get your kids used to the whole "bubble test" stuff.
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jdostalik Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 2:22pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, everyone. You are right, Mary. I do have a homeschool co-op that is going to administer the test. I do like the idea of untimed test--so I will probably do the Stanford. It is good to know aboaut the CAT test, too, but laziness prevails and I don't want to have to do it myself!
__________________ God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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