| PDE Changes Test List |
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PDE Eliminates Several Tests Options
The Pennsylvania Department of Education in a Basic Education Circular (BEC) released in March 2009 eliminated five of the original eight tests acceptable for 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade testing under the Pennsylvania Home Education Law, Act 169:
1. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPII)
2. Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS)
3. Peabody Individual Test
4. Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT)
5. Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement.
However, a number of homeschoolers and those providing testing services to homeschoolers have contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding testing that has already been provided for the current 2008-2009 school year, and this is the response received from Sarah Pearce, homeschool liaison for the PDE:
"I just realized what problems the new BEC will cause, updating it in March as we did. I will work on a correction immediately, so that tests that were approved as of July 1, 2008 will be acceptable through June 30, 2009. Sorry for the confusion."
Anyone having difficulty with their school district regarding the use of the CTBS or WRAT for the 2008-2009 school year may contact Sarah Pearce to have her clarify the position of the PDE on this matter.
The tests that are acceptable for homeschoolers to use after June 30, 2009, will be:
1. California Achievement Test
The list may look similar, but please note that revised versions of some of the tests have been substituted.
Currently the list is not accessible on the PA Dept of Ed website -- but may be posted in the future. http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/home_education/7404
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