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Testing 1,2,3

It's time for end of the year tests.



At the end of the school year we take a standardized test to make sure we are on track and the kids are where they need to be academically.

Usually, I give them the test at home, but this year I wanted Ben to start taking it in a group setting with a different administrator. It won't be long before he has to start taking college entrance tests and he needs the experience of taking a test somewhere besides home.

The group doing the testing needed another tester so they could divide the group into junior high and high school and test them separately. I volunteered to test the junior high group and sent in my application and diploma to receive my official tester number.

It's not a difficult thing to do. They tell you the exact words to say for every portion of the test. You are not allowed to leave out a word or add a word. It's like being handed a script.

The main issue is that these are homeschooled kids who aren't used to having to be really quiet during a test. Some would hum, or tap their pencils, or tap their feet against the tables. One girl asked to go to the bathroom every single day during the tests. Uh.....no. One girl told me every day as soon as she was done with her test. It doesn't matter when they are through. They still have to sit quietly and wait for everyone else to finish, and try not to distract anyone who is still working on their test.

We should have the scores back in six to eight weeks. Ben thinks he did very well. He's not concerned at all. He said it was really easy.

I hope he's right.

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