DETAILS ON ARKANSAS HOMESCHOOL STANDARDIZED TESTING
Provided by Home Ed (Home Educators of Greater Little Rock)

What is a standardized test?
Standardized tests are used to compare a student's skills in specific areas to other students who take the same test under the same conditions. Some tests compare a student's performance to a group of students, a “norm” group. Other tests measure skills in relation to a group of standards or guidelines, which are skills that a student should master at a specific grade level (These standards are usually set by the Arkansas Department of Education or a national education organization).

Why do we test?
At this time, Arkansas state law mandates norm-referenced testing (not other tests such as Benchmark tests) for homeschool students in grades 3-9. The Arkansas state legislature requires the test so that they can monitor how homeschool students as a group are performing as compared to students in public schools. (Private school students are not monitored by the state). In addition, the test can help you determine your child's strengths and weaknesses in the academic areas tested. This is NOT a pass/fail test and has no bearing on your child's grade placement. The test is for statistical purposes only.

Who is required to take the test?
Under the current law, all homeschool students in grades 3-9 are required to test on an annual basis.

When will the test be given?
Testing dates are in the spring and the dates are typically established and first publicized in mid-fall. Special needs children are typically tested the week before the established general testing period.

What are the known test logistics for 2008-2009 school year?
The testing period for the 2008-2009 school year standardized testing is currently scheduled for April 6-17, 2009. Dates will vary by area and will be provided by the state in a letter mailed directly to you. Testing for each child will be completed in one day. Testing will only cover Reading Comprehension and Math Problem Solving. You may be able to get some additional information directly from the source of the testing by visiting the web site for the Arkansas Home School Testing Office (AHSTO). Make sure to also click on "Home School Testing" in the left-hand menu bar for even more information on testing.

Where does my child go to take the test?
Exact locations vary from year-to-year, but there are numerous test sites established all over the state. Testing is usually conducted at churches or other available facilities. The Arkansas Home School Testing Office will mail out specific information regarding test dates, times and locations to all homeschool families who filled out an Intent Form (as required by law). Options that meet the state law for testing are:

• State Provided
  In this option, the Arkansas Department of Education (through their Arkansas Home School Testing Office) coordinates the homeschool testing. They acquire and pay for facility usage; hire on-site coordinators and test administrators (sometimes homeschool parents); provide and pay for the tests. This testing is only for homeschool students (no public or private school students will be in attendance). Test administrators will each have a four year college degree. The Department of Education will publish a list of available test sites. There is no fee for this testing.
  Advantages: All you have to do is show up as assigned. There is no cost at all.
  Disadvantages: The state totally administers this and it's a big job. This is also the most often chosen testing option by Arkansas homeschoolers. You may encounter some administration errors or difficulties.
• Organized Homeschool Group
  Organized homeschool groups can do their own testing. Test dates will be the same as the state-provided dates. This requires the group get pre-approval by the Arkansas Home School Testing Office and must include at least 10 students for testing.  Test administrators must have a four year college degree. This is "invitation only" testing (set at the discretion of each homeschool group), available only to those who have been invited and accepted by the group (usually just the members of the group). These sites will not be advertised by the state.
  Advantages: Provides greater familiarity with both testers and other students who are being tested.
  Disadvantages: Removes much of the burden and responsibility of the test from those dictating the test (the state). The state does not cover any costs for facilities, site coordinator, or test administrators. The state is not responsible for locating and coordinating facility usage or registration of homeschoolers. All testing responsibilities and costs (except for the test itself) are shifted to the group.
• Alternate Testing Agency
  You may test using an alternate testing agency, such as Bob Jones University.  Documentation must include proof that there has been a commitment between the parent and the testing agency and be submitted to AHSTO by appropriate deadlines (contact AHSTO for their deadlines). This requires some advance preparation, qualification, and costs (to be borne by the parent). See the state's guidelines (or contact the Arkansas Home School Testing Office directly) for details. And start early.
  Advantages: You can significantly control the testing environment.
  Disadvantages: You must plan ahead, qualify, bear cost, and meet timing deadlines. Some view these tests as also providing preparation for college entrance testing (ACT and SAT) and some of that typical test-site experience is lost by testing in this manner.

How will notification occur regarding test locations, time, and other details?
Each homeschool family should get written notification mailed directly from the Arkansas State Home School Testing Office. This notification should include the date, time and location for the testing. This will be mailed to the address the homeschooler gave on their last Notice of Intent to Home School. If you have moved, you need to notify the school district you moved from and the school district you moved to. Parents/legal guardians who have not received written notification by 4 weeks prior to testing should contact the Arkansas Home School Testing Office (AHSTO).

What is the cost of the test?
There is no cost as long as testing occurs in one of the sites designated by the Arkansas State Home School Testing Office. Parents may choose an alternative test site, but parents are then responsible for any expense incurred by the administration of tests at alternative sites.

How are the tests administered?
Testing is overseen and coordinated by a site administrator (usually a homeschool parent) and the tests are usually administered by homeschool parents. Only homeschool students are present at testing (no public or private school students will be in attendance).

What does the test look like?
As in all all norm-referenced tests, a variety of subject areas are covered and the scores are compared with the nationwide group of students who were involved in the original sampling at the time the test was built. The test is timed. Questions are all multiple choice. There are no written answers to any question. Students will record their responses on a document that requires them to bubble the answer they think is correct.

What is the daily testing schedule?
The finalized daily schedule will be mailed to parents as part of the testing registration process. Breaks are given during testing.

What do students need to bring to the test? What will be provided?

• Students need only to bring #2 pencils (two or more) with erasers.
• Students SHOULD NOT bring PENS or COLORED PENCILS.
• Students should bring calculators if parents permit their use. Calculator use is optional and only valid for use on certain portions of the test. It is not necessary for all students to have access to a calculator for any one student to use their own calculator.
• Test administrators will provide scratch paper (can be used for calculations or as a straight-edge on answer sheets...to stay on the right line).
• You may consider sending a ruler to be used as a straight-edge on answer sheets...to stay on the right line.
• No food will be provided. No snacks will be allowed open in the test room. If they are brought to the room, the snacks must be in a container and not opened until break times and only in a place designated by the site coordinator. There is concern about other students and the effect of smells, allergies, etc.

Will parents be allowed to be present in the test room?
No. However, parents may select a person, who is not a parent of any student in the test room, to be a monitor. Parents may be asked to serve while at the test site doing things like helping in the test room, taking kids to the right room, and monitoring the “QUIET ZONE.”

What about children with special needs?
Any child who has a DIAGNOSED special need can be tested under special circumstances. Special needs students will typically be tested one-on-one or in a small group. If you feel that your child needs testing modification you need to make a request in writing as part of the testing registration process. The written request should include information on:

• What you are requesting
• Why you are making the request
• Documentation verifying the special need (IEP’s from public schools, doctor, or other professional's information )

Qualification documentation must be attached to site selection form and may be used to determine the degree of accommodations. Parents will be responsible for bringing students to the test site.

What will expempt my child from testing?

• You are no longer home schooling children in grades 3-9.
• You have a documented emergency filed with the Arkansas Home School Testing Office, such as injuries, illness, death in the family, etc. Contact the Arkansas Home School Testing Office for more details.
• You qualify for permanent exemption or temporary exemption.  Exemption can be for mental or physical disabilities.  Requests for exemption may be sent to AHSTO prior to receiving a site selection form or with the site selection form, but not later.  IEP’s from public schools, doctor, or other professional's information may be used for evaluation in determining the level of exemption.  

Who gets the scores?
Parents receive the only copy of test scores. The results are mailed directly from a contracted company who scores the tests for the state of Arkansas. Most often it will take around ten weeks from test time to the time parents receive the test results. The Department of Education does get a copy of compiled scores of homeschool students in each grade (but they do not get any report on individual students or any scores identified by name). Parents who have not received test scores in a timely manner should contact the Arkansas Department of Education's Home School Office. They are the only ones authorized to contact the testing company regarding individual test reports.