Testing/Narrative
Assessment Information
Children in grades K-3 do not need standardized tests, unless you choose. You or someone you designate may write a ‘Year-End Narrative Assessment’ instead.

Children in grades 4-8 must take standardized tests at least every other year (or every year if you wish.) On alternate years, you may choose to have a narrative assessment done. For example, if you do a narrative for grade 4, then you must give a standardized test for grade 5. 

A narrative assessment can be substituted for standardized testing every other year. With the consent of the Waterloo CSD, narrative evaluations can be prepared by a certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or other qualified person(s). Any costs involved are the responsibility of the parent. 

The evaluator for a narrative assessment interviews the student and reviews a portfolio of his/her work. The portfolio should include a variety of work samples that demonstrate growth and achievement over the year in the curricular areas as outlined in the IHIP. The written narrative that is submitted should describe the work that has been observed and certifies whether or not the student has made adequate progress. Such evaluations require planning. It is advisable to make decisions about the annual assessment early in the year so there is ample time to make arrangements and report such arrangements on the third quarterly report form. 

If your child is in grades 4-8, you may have your child tested in our schools for their standardized test. It is recommended that you contact our office to coordinate this option in the fall for tests in January (Math) and March (English/Lang Arts). 

Once testing has occurred, send in a copy of the OFFICIAL TEST RESULTS as soon as possible. Only the official results that are sent directly from the testing service will be accepted as evidence of testing. 

New York State Home Instruction Law requires that students in grades 9-12 be tested every year. It is recommended that a New York State certified teacher administer the test, although the parent may do so. 

You are responsible for buying and giving the test. Be sure to allow ample time for ordering and shipping. You may want to also do an Internet search for other sources. 

Students in grades 10 or 11 can take the PSAT in October. Sign up with your child’s school guidance counselor, OCM BOCES can help coordinate this. Students in grades 11-12 may also take ACT (www.act.org) or SAT or SAT II from College Board (www.collegeboard.com). 

12TH graders may also use any college placement test that is given by a college or university. 

Standardized Testing Resources 

K-8 Testing Resources 

IOWA test & Stanford Achievement Tests - http://riverpub.com/products/itbs/index.html
Phone: 800-323-9540 Fax: 630-467-7192 3800 Golf Road, Suite 200 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

K-12 Testing Resources

California Achievement Test - http://www.setontesting.com/cat/
Bayside School Services, PO Box 250 Devil Hills, NC 27948 Phone: 1-800-723-3057

Thurber’s Educ. Assessments - 
Phone: 919-967-5782 400 Clayton Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Seton Testing Services - https://www.setontesting.com/
Phone: 540-636-1250 Fax: 888-282-7806 1350 Progress Drive Front Royal, VA 22630

Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS) - http://hewitthomeschooling.comPhone: 360-835-8708 Fax: 360-835-8697 Hewitt Homeschooling Resources, P.O. Box 9, Washougal, WA 98671-0009

 9-12 Testing Resources

SAT - Standardized Achievement Test, Collegeboard - http://student.collegeboard.org/

ACT - American College Testing - http://www.act.org/

Regents Exams - http://www.nysedregents.org/

AP - Advanced Placement Exams, Collegeboard - http://student.collegeboard.

NYS 100.10

(h) Annual assessment.

At the time of filing the fourth quarterly report as specified in the IHIP, the parent shall also file an annual assessment in accordance with this subdivision. The annual assessment shall include the results of a commercially published norm referenced achievement test which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision, or an alternative form of evaluation which meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(1) Commercially published norm-referenced achievement tests.

(i) The test shall be selected by the parent from one of the following: the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the California Achievement Test, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, a State Education Department test, or another test approved by the State Education Department.

(ii) The test shall be administered in accordance with one of the following options, to be selected by the parents:

(a) at the public school, by its professional staff;

(b) at a registered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained;

(c) at a nonregistered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the superintendent of schools of the school district and of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained; or

(d) at the parents' home or at any other reasonable location, by a New York State- certified teacher or by another qualified person, provided that the superintendent has consented to having said certified teacher or other person administer the test.

(iii) The test shall be scored by the persons administering the test or by other persons who are mutually agreeable to the parents and the superintendent of schools.

(iv) The test shall be provided by the school district upon request by the parent, provided that the cost of any testing facilities, transportation, and/or personnel for testing conducted at a location other than the public school shall be borne by the parent.

(v) If a score on a test is determined to be inadequate, the program shall be placed on probation pursuant to subdivision (i) of this section. A student's score shall be deemed adequate if:

(a) the student has a composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms; or

(b) the student's score reflects one academic year of growth as compared to a test administered during or subsequent to the prior school year.

(2) Alternative evaluation methods. An alternative form of evaluation shall be permitted to be chosen by the parent only as follows:

(i) for grades one through three, a written narrative prepared by a person specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph;

(ii) for grades four through eight, a written narrative prepared by a person specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph. This alternative form of evaluation may be used no more often than every other school year for these grades;

(iii) for the purposes of this paragraph, the person who prepares the written narrative shall be a New York State-certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or other person, who has interviewed the child and reviewed a portfolio of the child's work. Such person shall certify either that the child has made adequate academic progress or that the child has failed to make adequate progress. In the event that such child has failed to make adequate progress, the home instruction program shall be placed on probation pursuant to subdivision (i) of this section. The certified teacher, peer review panel or other person shall be chosen by the parent with the consent of the superintendent. Any resulting cost shall be borne by the parent.

(3) If a dispute arises between the parents and the superintendent of schools, including disputes over the administration of the commercially published norm-referenced achievement test or the use of alternative evaluation methods, the parents may appeal to the board of education. If the parents disagree with the determination of the board of education, the parents may appeal to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days of receipt of the board's final determination.