Home School Testing

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Approved Tests for Home School Students

An approved tester must be a “neutral” person and one who is qualified to administer such tests.  A “neutral person” is defined as an individual who is selected by the parent/guardian of the child to be taught at home who has no relationship by bloodline or marriage to the child and must be a qualified tester in the state of Oregon. An updated list of qualified test administrators (XLS) can be found on the Oregon Department of Education website. *Please note that if you open the list of qualified test administrators in Excel it will open up in a new page and the new tab will be blank, so you will need to find your Excel file.

In order to meet testing requirements, all tests must contain a Total Battery Score/National Percentile Rank, grade level, and the season and date the test was taken. Without this information we are unable to accept test results. The Oregon Statewide Achievement Test (OSAT) is NOT a valid test for homeschooling testing requirements as it is based solely on Oregon curriculum, ­home-school students must use a nationally normed test.

The list of currently approved tests include the following:

• Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills – CTBS Terra Nova (800) 538-9547
• McGraw-Hill Tests Grade level 3-8 aligned with common core 3rd addition - (800) 538-9547
• Iowa Tests of Basic Skills: Riverside Publishing Co. Common Core Correlation K-12, 2008 Form C -      (800) 323-9540; Test of Achievement and Proficiency (800) 323-9540
• Stanford 9th and 10th Editions are acceptable, contact: Psychological Corp., P.O Box 708912, San Antonio, TX (888) 433-8435, Education Home School

You may also contact Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services at (503) 650-5282 or testingservices@basicskills.net and have them assist you in setting up a testing time and location.

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Home School Testing Requirements

Home-schooled children must be tested before the end of grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. The end of the school year is defined before August 15.  If the child has never attended public or private school, the child must be tested before August 15 following the end of grade 3.  If the child was withdrawn from public or private school, the first required examination is not administered within the first 18 months of home schooling even if during that 18-month period is in grade 3, 5, 8, or 10. 

Example 1:  If a child is withdrawn at the start of his 2nd grade year, the 18 month period will be over midway through 3rd grade, and he must test by August 15 of 3rd grade.

Example 2:  If a child is withdrawn from school at the start of his 3rd grade year, the 18 month period will be over midway through 4th grade. Testing is only required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, therefore, he will not be required to test until the end of 5th grade.
 
Parents are required to submit examination results upon request by the ESD.  If examination results are not received within the required timeline, the child will be in violation of the compulsory attendance law and no longer eligible to be home schooled. 
 In order to meet the testing requirements all tests must contain a Total Battery Score/National Percentile rank. The grade level and date/season the test was taken also needs to be included. We are unable to accept test results without this information. If test results are submitted to Multnomah ESD, please keep a copy for your records.

While you are not required by law to test your child annually, Multnomah ESD encourages you to test your child on a yearly basis so that you will be able to:

• Identify academic strengths and weaknesses.
• See the progress your child is making.
• Determine if the current curriculum is working for your child.

You may find a list of qualified testers at the Oregon Department of Education website under Home School Testing , or you may call the Oregon Department of Education at 1-503-947-5600.

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