Annual Testing
In North Carolina, an annual standardized test should be administered to all homeschooled students from the age of 7 until their graduation from your Homeschool Program.
The tests need to be nationally-normed standardized achievement tests, which simply means that the students test scores are compared to other students throughout the nation rather than compared to students only within their state. The “End of Grade” tests for NC that are administered by the public schools do not meet this criteria.
High School Testing
Diagnostic tests or aptitude tests do not fit the criteria for annual testing set forth by NC law.
College entrance exams, the ACT and the SAT fit the criteria only if the writing section is included in the content areas tested.
Testing content information is established by NC Law in Chapter 115C – Article 39 of the NC General Statutes – see sections G.S. 115C-549 and G.S. 115C-557
Tests must measure achievement in the areas of :
- English Grammar
- Reading
- Spelling
- Mathematics
Testing Suggestions
Tests can be administered by parents or in a group setting. Online tests that meet the state’s criteria are a viable option.
This website has links to testing providers on the Annual Testing page.
Tests that you may want to look into include:
- The California Achievement Test (CAT)
- The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) – grades 1 to 8
- Iowa Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP) for Grades 9 to 12
- The Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS)
- The Stanford Achievement Test
- Terra Nova Tests
- The Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement
Tests like the Woodcock-Johnson tests are individualized, can often be less stressful and are good for non-readers since they are mainly verbal and take less time than written exams. Those tests are administered by professionals rather than by parents, but parents may prefer to get their results quickly and some test administrators offer input and advice as well.
Tests for each student in your homeschool need to be maintained on the premises for at least one year along with the other required documentation, attendance and vaccination records or immunization exemption when appropriate for medical or religious reasons. You can voluntarily report online to the NCDNPE that you have testing records available.
If you have questions about immunization records, the NC Immunization Branch website is a good resource for investigating vaccination exemptions. Click Here to read more.
You can voluntarily provide the information that you have met the requirements online at the NCDNPE website by completing the online Homeschool Updates and Changes Form.
Testing Requirements According to HSLDA
“Parents must administer an annual standardized test (§ 115C-564) any time during the school year which must be made available on request “for inspection” by the state. “For one year after the testing, all records shall be made available … at the principal office of such school, at all reasonable times, for annual inspection by a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina.” (§ 115C-549 or § 115C-557).
Although the Division of Nonpublic Education has attempted to perform home visits under this provision, the law gives its officials no right to enter homes or to inspect any records besides test scores. There is also no statutory requirement for parents to attend regional meetings arranged by the Division of Nonpublic Education for the purpose of reviewing their records. Copies of testing results can be simply mailed to the Division of Non-Public Education upon request. “
Click to Read the HSLDA Analyisis of the NC Homeschool Law
Click to Read the NC Statutes that Pertain to Homeschools
ANNUAL TESTING LINKS
- Academic Excellence Online Testing - Timed & Untimed CAT, Practice Tests-
Online achievement testing provides a comprehensive assessment across reading, language, and mathematics. Tests that can be easily administered by parents or educators and are immediately scored at time of completion. Comprehensive results are instantly provided. Practice tests are just $4 or $5 each.
- ATC Educational Services-
Testing in Wake, Mecklenburg, New Hanover Counties
- Bayside School Services-
Order California Achievement Tests (CAT6) and Terra Nova Test for all grades
- Bindrim Testing & Educational Services-
1063 Carriage Trail, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, 252 -451-0118 or follow the link to see all the educational resources they offer- tutoring, specializing in special needs students.
- Bob Jones University Press-
Order Test Prep Materials, The Iowa Tests, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test, CogAT, Stanford, OLSAT or Career Direct tests.
- Brewer Testing-
Online Stanford 10, the BASI - (Grades 3-12), The IOWA & TerraNova (Grades K-12). Testing at their East Bend location, using the new Woodcock Johnson IV. Yadkin, Forsyth and surrounding Counties.
- California Achievement Test (Online version)-
California Achievement Test (Online version) for grades 2-12 from Christian Liberty Press. Fast test results and easy to use.
- CAT Forms Testing Service-
1970 CAT test including booklets, student response sheets and directions for administering the test.
- Complete Online Achievement Tests-
Online achievement testing from Academic Excellence provides a comprehensive assessment across reading, language, and mathematics. Tests that can be easily administered by parents or educators and are immediately scored at time of completion. Comprehensive results are instantly p
- Covenant Education Services-
Annual Tests: PIAT-R, WJIII, and WRAT are tests which are administered in a one-on-one setting. Individualized results in less time. Tutoring & Consultation available. Assessments for learning disabilities including:
- Parent interview
- Child Symptom Inventory
- Language Based Learning Differences Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI)
- Beery-Buktenica Development Test of Visual-Motor Integration, 5th Edition
- Slosson IQ
- Peabody Individualized Achievement Test - Revised (PIAT-R)
- Phonemic Awareness Diagnostic Inventory
- Jordan Dyslexia Assessment
- Test of Memory and Learning (TOMAL2)
Discounts and Service Information are at their website - apply for an appointment online. Located in Wilson, NC, but testing at other locations as well. Call 252-281-4788 for questions.
- Crosspointe Educational Services-
1213 Queen Anne Road, Wilson, NC 27896, Call 252-281-4788 or EMAIL with questions.
- Foundations Educational Services-
2101 Piney Grove Wilbon Rd., Holly Springs, NC 27540 Specializing in the Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Battery. Remedial intervention in spelling, reading, penmanship, and math for students in grades 1-8, support and accountability in implementing and continuing Brain Integration Therapy throughout your school year. Call 919-758-0811, or EMAIL Dawn if you have questions about testing, tutoring and homeschool consultation services.
- Hewitt Homeschooling Resources-
PASS test and other homeschool resources.
- Home School Testing - Catforms Testing Service-
1970 CAT test including booklets, student response sheets and directions for administering the test.
- Homeschool Testing Services-
Stanford 10 Achievement tests - onsite group testing for home educators.
- Lighthouse Educational Services-
Woodcock-Johnson IV - individualized testing. Metro-Raleigh, NC area.
- Piedmont Educational Services-
Individualized testing, test prep, CAT 5, Terra Nova, Woodcock-Johnson III, other resources
- Salem Educational Assessment Services-
(Link will open to SEAS email) Salem Educational Assessment Services offers professional educational support to homeschooling families and co-ops. Services provided include administration of the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement, educational therapy, and group educational therapy for students with learning challenges. Leslieann Gourley is an ACSI certified WJIII administrator and NILD Level 2 educational therapist intern, as well as a homeschool veteran of twenty years. Call her at 251-8887 or email her at the link above.
- Seton Testing Services-
Nationally standardized ability and achievement tests, practice tests, parent materials and other assessment materials for grades K-12. Year-round testing and scoring. TerraNova 2/ CAT 6 Complete Battery with Plus Test, TerraNova 2/ CAT 6 Survey with Plus
- Smoky Mountain Academic Resources & Training-
Woodcock-Johnson® IV Tests of Achievement (individually administered), IOWA Tests® and optional Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT®), Stanford 10 Achievement Test and optional Otis-Lennon School Ability Test® (OLSAT®), Brigance®
- Testing & Educational Services-
Year end testing for homeschoolers for groups and individuals. BASI and Woodcock Johnson, Diagnostic Testing and Tutoring Services:
- individualized tutoring
- specialized reading instruction for those with delays or dyslexia
- achievement testing that shows grade equivalency
- diagnostic reading tests to assess gaps and determine interventions
- dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia screening
- consultations to provide understanding or training for parents
- TestPoint Achievement Tests-
2100 River Haven Drive, Suite 210, Birmingham, AL 35244, Call 888-988-5884, or follow the link to visit their website for information about placement testing, achievement tests and assessments, online testing for grades 1-12.
- Thurber's Educational Assessments, LLC-
CAT/5 & TerrNova, Year-round, Groups & Individuals
- Triangle Assessments-
Paper tests, online in their office or at you location: Stanford 10® Remote Online, BASI, TerraNova2 (CAT/6) for grades K-12, Iowa Assesments, The Woodcock-Johnson®, WJNU, WJIV, and WIIIP (Ages 4-94, immediate results, make and appt.) as well as diagnostic testing such as the Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development II. Raleigh, Cary area. Career tests & practice tests - many helpful options!
- Triangle Assessments - Online Test-
Basic Acheivement Skills Inventory (online at their office) and Stanford 10 (in your home online for grades 3-12)
- Your Academic Success Testing Service - Piedmont Area of NC-
Your Academic Success Testing Service - Melanie Todd is a WILSON Dyslexia Practitioner. Standardized Achievement Testing with the Woodcock Johnson IV, the newest version. Also offers Dyslexia Testing and Visual Processing Evaluations and Vision Therapy for eye disorders that affect learning. Contact Melanie at 336-239-5529 or EMAIL HERE.