Homeschool Testing Questions | SMART

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North Carolina Testing Questions

Payment Questions

How do I pay for my scheduled testing session?

An invoice will be e-mailed to you soon after you register online for your testing session. You can pay via PayPal directly from your invoice. Payment also can be made by mailing a check or money order to:

SMART

P.O. Box 2077

Skyland, NC 28776

Note: Payment must be received before your testing session.

When do I need to pay?

Payment should be made as soon as possible after you receive your invoice. Payment must be made before your test will be administered.

Is a payment plan available?

S.M.A.R.T. does not offer a payment plan at this time. Payment must be made in full before the time of your testing session.

Does S.M.A.R.T. offer specials or discounts?

S.M.A.R.T. offers discounts and promotions several times during the year. Discounts are listed here on the S.M.A.RT. homepage.

General Questions

What testing options does S.M.A.R.T. offer?

S.M.A.R.T. associates currently administer the Woodcock-Johnson IV and the IOWA Tests. The Brigance test is also available for rental.

The Woodcock-Johnson is administered one on one. Students answer questions both written and orally. It is not a traditional multiple-choice test. The IOWA uses a multiple-choice testing format. Students will answer questions on a bubble sheet. The Brigance can be administered at home by the parent. It is commonly used for young children or those with special needs working below Kindergarten Level.

How do I schedule a Testing Session?

To schedule a testing session, first, contact a S.M.A.R.T. Associate located near you. You and your S.M.A.R.T. associate will choose a date, date, time, and testing location.

You will then register your student online at https://www.smarttesting.net/registration.

What other services does S.M.A.R.T. offer?

S.M.A.R.T. (Smoky Mountain Academic Resources and Training) associates are here to support families as they educate their children. Associates are available to provide training sessions or seminars for your homeschool groups. We have commonly provided presentations to groups about homeschool testing requirements and how to understand Standardized test scores and use them to help guide your homeschool instruction.

We are also here to guide and help you individually as you homeschool. Our Homeschool Coaching sessions are available to you to help you get started homeschooling, give you intensive guidance to help you overcome struggles, or answer your questions as you transition into a new phase of your homeschool.

North Carolina Testing Questions

What Type of test do I need to give my child to Homeschool in NC?

NC Requires that you administer a nationally normed, standardized test to your child at least 1x per year as a requirement to homeschool. To see a list of commonly used accepted standardized tests click here.

S.M.A.R.T. associates are licensed to administer the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement. We also offer the IOWA Tests and Brigance Testing.

When should my child take their standardized test?

You are free to decide when is the best time for your homeschool to administer the standardized tests. The only requirement is that it be done 1x per school year. (The NC Department of Non-Public Education measures their school year from July 1st -June 30th.) Many families choose to test at the end of their school year each year, however, others test at the beginning or in the middle of their school years.

When do I need to turn in my student's test results to the NC Department of Non-Public Education?

You do not need to turn in your testing results to the NC Department of Non-Public Education unless requested. Keep your test results and information for your students in your records.

Does my 7 year old have to take an annual test in NC?

Yes. NC requires annual administration of a standardized test for all students, ages 7 and up after you file a letter of intent to homeschool.

See all NC homeschool testing regulations and requirements here.

What Test does SMART Offer to help my 8th or 9th-grade student qualify for the NC Career and College Promise Program at my local community college?

One of the requirements for North Carolina's Career and College Promise program is achieving scores in the gifted range of a Cognitive abilities test. S.M.A.R.T. associates can administer the IOWA CogAT test which will meet this test requirement. This test must be administered with an IOWA Core or Complete test. It can be administered individually or in a group.

Florida Testing Questions

What are the homeschool testing requirements for the state of Florida?

Standardized tests are only required for parents homeschooling under the homeschool law in Option 1 which states that homeschools can operate under the home education law under the direction of a homeschool student’s parents.

What are the evaluation options available to homeschool parents in FL?

The parent must provide an annual educational evaluation of the student's educational progress to the superintendent. The evaluation must consist of one of the following:

A Florida-certified teacher chosen by the parent may evaluate the child's progress based on a review of the portfolio and discussion with the student.
The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher.
The student may take a state student assessment test at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district.
The student may be evaluated by a psychologist holding a valid, active license pursuant to FL homeschool law
The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent.

What must a parent provide to the school district in regard to testing?

The parent shall select the method of evaluation and shall file a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent’s office in the county in which the student resides. The annual evaluation is due on the anniversary date of the submission of your letter of intent.

Are the tests that SMART provides acceptable for homeschool evaluations in FL?

It is always a good idea to double-check this information with your individual district, but most FL counties accept the Woodcock-Johnson, Iowa, and Brigance.

At what age must homeschool testing begin in FL?

Students must attend a school or comply with the homeschool laws beginning in the school year that they turn 6 on or before February 6. Parents must submit test evaluations to their local school district within one year of their submission of the letter of intent.

The Woodcock-Johnson IV

Where will my student take the test?

S.M.A.R.T. has testing associates located in multiple locations across North Carolina and in Florida. When you schedule a testing appointment, you will be given details about the testing location. Click here to learn more about available testing associates and their locations. If you request that a tester travel to you, outside their testing area, travel fees may be applied. Details should be discussed with your testing associate.

Why is the Woodcock-Johnson IV such a highly recommended test?

The most important consideration is that you choose the standardized testing option that will provide you with the information you need and the best testing experience for you and your child. We recommend the Woodcock-Johnson to most families because it provides you, the parent, with the most valuable feedback about the working academic levels of your student. Additionally, it is an easy, fun, no-stress testing experience for both you and your child.

What is included in the cost of a Woodcock-Johnson IV test session?

The cost of all consumable books and materials are included in S.M.A.R.T.'s testing prices. You also get the value of a licensed professional to administer the test for you. They evaluate your students and provide you with feedback and guidance after your student's testing sessions. The test will be scored immediately and a 30-minute consultation with the tester is included in the test administration fee. Your test administrator will take time to explain the scores, answer your questions, and offer suggestions for continued growth.

What can a S.M.A.R.T. associate tell me after a Woodcock-Johnson IV test session?

After completion of your testing session, a S.M.A.R.T. associate will be able to tell you the working academic levels of your student in each area tested. (Basic test includes: Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Math). Your tester will also be able to help you see specific strengths and weaknesses of your student. They will also be able to give you suggestions to aid in instruction for growth and intervention for areas of need.

Your S.M.A.R.T. associate will often be able to give you specific information concerning tendencies towards dyslexia, information processing delays, language delays, and other specific learning disabilities. This information may require the administration of additional add-on tests.

(Note: S.M.A.R.T associates cannot give a diagnosis of specific disabilities or dyslexia. This requires additional testing from a medical professional or educational psychologist)

What does the consult include?

A 30-minute consultation session is included after all Woodcock-Johnson testing sessions. S.M.A.R.T. Associates will meet with you immediately after your testing session to explain your child's scores, answer your questions, and give you suggestions for growth and intervention.

Why should I add additional tests to the Basic Woodcock-Johnson Test?

The Basic Woodcock-Johnson IV test meets NC state testing requirements and measures Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Math. We recommend (but do not require) adding the Broad Oral Language test to your first test administration of the Woodcock-Johnson. This provides more information and a more complete picture of your child's academic levels and how they learn and process information.

Other add-ons should be considered when you have concerns or want more information in those particular areas. For example, if your student is struggling in reading you may want to consider adding the Dyslexia Screening Cluster or other additional reading clusters to gain more insight into what specific reading skill/s of concern. These additional tests can help S.M.A.R.T. Testers advise you so that you can specifically know in what area/s to target instruction and what tools and methods will be most useful to you.

Are the tests that my child would take the same each year?

No. S.M.A.R.T. Associates rotate the Woodcock-Johnson test forms we use each year so that your child will not take the exact same test each year.

Is tutoring available for my child in the areas of needed growth?

S.M.A.R.T. does not offer tutoring services at this time. We are happy to refer you to professionals offering tutoring in your area.

The IOWA Tests

How long does it take to receive IOWA test scores?

IOWA Tests must be sent off to be scored electronically. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks.

How will I receive my student's IOWA test scores?

IOWA Test scores will be e-mailed to you as soon as they are received by your testing associate.

How long does it take to complete the IOWA tests?

The time it takes to complete the IOWA Tests can vary depending on the grade level of the test and the test set requested. This can range from 3 to 7 hours. The basic IOWA core test usually takes 3-4 hours. The more tests that are added on the longer the session will take.

How is the IOWA administered?

The IOWA can be administered individually or in a group setting. We have 1 pre-scheduled group IOWA Session Scheduled each year in Asheville, NC. Click here for details.

If you are interested in a group testing session in your area for your group please contact a testing associate near you and arrangements can be made. The group should typically be 10 more students to qualify for the group IOWA Testing prices.

The IOWA Test looks much more like a traditional standardized test or "EOG". Students are given directions and then work through multiple choice questions for the allotted time for each subtest.

Is the IOWA Timed?

Yes, the IOWA is a timed test. Accommodations can be made for students with diagnosed disabilities. These accommodations will need to be discussed with the testing associate prior to the testing session. The student would also have to have the test administered individually.

What IOWA Tests do you offer?

SMART offers several different IOWA Test options.

The IOWA Core: Tests reading, math, and language arts
The IOWA Complete: Tests reading, math, language arts, science, and social studies
The IOWA CogAT: A cognitive abilities test that measures verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning (The CogAT must be administered with the IOWA Core or Complete)

What is the IOWA CogAT and what is it used for?

The IOWA CogAT is a cognitive abilities test that measures verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. It is most often used to identify gifted and talented students. Many schools and gifted programs use the IOWA CogAT for placement. It can also give insight into a student's strengths and how they learn.

The IOWA CogAT is one of the accepted cognitive tests used to qualify (as a 9th or 10th grader) into NC's Career and College Promise Program.

The Brigance

Who is The Brigance test for?

The Brigance is an excellent option for young students or students with developmental delays or disabilities. It can be given by a test administrator or by the parents themselves. The test measures preschool - early elementary academic achievement.

How can I administer the Brigance for my student?

Please contact a S.M.A.R.T. associate to schedule renting the Brigance testing materials. A student book will also be purchased through S.M.A.R.T. that can be used for multiple years and testing sessions.

Does the Brigance have to be administered in one testing session?

No. If you are administering the Brigance test yourself, you can break up testing into as many sessions as needed. You will need to arrange how long you need to rent the materials for with a Testing Associate.

Does the Brigance meet the NC Standardized testing requirement?

Yes. The Brigance is a nationally normed standardized test that will satisfy the NC yearly standardized testing requirement.

Homeschool Coaching

What is Homeschool Coaching?

Homeschool coaching is an intensive homeschool guidance session for families. You will have the opportunity to communicate with a S.M.A.R.T. Associate (experienced homeschool parents, and professional educators) your questions and needs for you guidance session. Your coaching session will be focused specifically on helping you, answering your questions about homeschool, and educating your children.

Can a Homeschool Coaching Session be added after a testing session?

Yes. Some families want more than the included 30 minute consultation after a testing session. If you would like more intensive guidance and help finding curriculum options that fit your needs, help getting started homeschooling, or have other needs, a Homeschool Coaching session following a testing session may be an excellent option for your family.

Can schedule a Homeschool Coaching Session without a testing session?

Yes. If you want help and guidance for any reason in your homeschool, but do not need a standardized test to be administered at this time, a Homeschool Coaching session is available to you.

How will we meet for my Homeschool Coaching Session?

A Homeschool Coaching Session can be completed virtually (through a video conference call) or in person. Please discuss these options with your S.M.A.R.T Associate.