ACADEMIC  LEARNING  SOLUTIONS


HOME  SCHOOL  TESTING  SERVICES from SUSAN  FARMER:
 
SMALL GROUP TESTING

GRADES K-12th

I am available for group testing if you organize your own group.  I no longer schedule groups of my own.  You may schedule a group for any grade, during any time of the year. Grades 4-12 may test together. All other grades must be tested with  their own grade level.
 
PRIVATE TESTING

PRE-k - 12th

Private testing is available during any time of the year.   Preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade readiness screens.   Call to schedule.
 
SPECIAL NEEDS

ASSESSMENTS & PDP'S

Children who have a formal  disability in learning (reading, math, ADHD, etc.) or have other disabilities such as autism or developmental delays, may be assessed in other ways.
 

If your student is not in a mandatory testing grade, ask about brief assessments to determine if s/he is at grade level.  


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Susan Farmer offers the following Unique Testing Services for ALL
home school testing.  These are optional -- not required -- yet they
provide parents with additional information not otherwise available:
                                                                           Google Chrome Users:  I apologize that this section is distorted with various font types.
        
  • Optional:  Students are permitted to finish every section, even when the time-limit is up.   Students then receive TWO scores:
             1.  the “legal” score of what was finished within the time limit
             2.  the “unlimited-time” score of what else the student was ABLE to
                  answer

              When students are not allowed to finish the test, parents do not
              know if a low score is caused by items left blank (insufficient
              time), or items with incorrect answers (possible gaps in
              concepts).

             CLICK HERE for more information about the advantage of FINISHING the test and the "Extended Time" test format.


  • 2-day testing available.  Recommended for:
             1.  Parents who want the most accurate test results to provide
                  the greatest amount of  feedback   
             2.  Slower students (1-day testing can be 2.5 hours long)
             3.  Students who prefer or need shorter work sessions

          2-day tests allow better concentration and result in scores
          which portray the most accurate picture of the student’s
          knowledge. 

       CLICK HERE for more information to help you determine if your student should have a 1day, 2-day, or private test.

  • Special needs accommodations: Easily-distracted students may have a separate table and, if desired, face away from the group.  If your student has any other special needs (autism, disabilities, etc) please discuss these with me ahead of time so appropriate accommodations can be made.
  • Option of private testing in my home (or yours):  You might prefer this option if your student is nervous in groups, works considerably slower than average, or is working below grade-level.  Extra fees apply if coming to your home. CLICK HERE. 

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Which students are required to test?
Oregon law requires testing at the end of grades
3, 5, 8, and 10. 
Testing is optional for other grades.

If your student is not in a mandatory testing grade, ask about inexpensive, brief assessments to determine if s/he is at grade level.   They do not need a standardized achievement test to assist you in determining if your child is "on track."  In fact, the multiple-choice tests (i.e. "multiple guess) do not provide practical instructional information.
For information about testing children in grades preschool through
Grade 2, or during  other non-mandatory years, click HERE.


3rd Grade Test Information:

The student's 3rd-grade test is not mandatory until the end of the school year in which s/he was 9 on September 1.  This is because children are not required to start 1st grade until the fall AFTER they turn 7.  If your child started 3rd grade at age 8, you have the option of waiting another year for the 3rd grade test.  However, if you truly believe your child is not academically ready to test, it is strongly recommended that you consider an Oral Reading Screen [CLICK HERE] to help determine possible underlying reason(s) for your child's inability to achieve grade-level success in spite of your careful one-on-one instruction.

Contrary to some belief, nearly 40 years of scientific reading research shows that students who are below grade level at 3rd grade almost never catch up without intervention targeted at their underlying developmental deficits.  An Oral Reading Screen can provide critical direction toward determining specific types of curricula which will (and will not) enable your student to catch up as quickly as possible, and remain at grade level.

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In the early 90's when I first began group testing, there were only 1-2 "home-school friendly" testers in the area.  Today, we are blessed with several home-school parents who now offer pre-scheduled group testing dates.  Therefore, I ONLY PROVIDE PRIVATE TESTING AND TESTING FOR GROUPS YOU ORGANIZE YOURSELF, if you have a group of friends or co-op.  I no longer schedule my own group tests.   Testing can be held at my home or another location you prefer.  Private-group rates are discounted according to the number of students in the group.
Fees:

Private test:              $75 (for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10).
                                   Private tests also include an optional free oral reading fluency screen.)

1-day group test:    $38 (This includes an optional free oral reading fluency screen with a
                                   report. )  This rate applies to groups of 5 or more students.  Smaller group
                                   rates of 2-4 students are available.

2-day group test:    $43 (This includes an optional free oral reading fluency screen with a
                                   report. )

Payment Policy:     Private tests usually require a partial deposit of the testing fee ($40) to reserve the appointment date.  Cash or Checks to Susan Farmer.  Then the balance will be due on the testing date.  Payment plans are available if pre-arranged (test scores are mailed after payment is received).

Location: 
Unless pre-arranged elsewhere, tests will be held at my home office in south Salem, near south Liberty Road and Kuebler Boulevard.  Directions and address are below.  I have have a dedicated tutoring/testing room to accommodate 3-4 students.  For larger groups, I have a combination living/dining room in which I can set up tables.

Bring:
Water bottle, 3-minute optional snack, registration page, test fee.  Pencils and scratch paper are provided; grades 4+ may bring their own pencils; 3rd graders use markers provided.  A calculator which is NOT on a cell phone may be used for part 2 of the math test, but the publisher emphasizes the test is designed to not give advantage to students who use a calculator.  Do not worry if your student is not used to a calculator or if s/he forgets to bring it.  Most of the problems on the “survey” test do not involve calculator computation.  They are mostly application skills.  Students who bring cell phones will be required to turn them fully off except for breaks.   Phones may not be in vibrating mode. 


Test Results:  Tests are hand-scored.  Private tests are typically scored before the student leaves, and the results are given to parents immediately.  Otherwise, allow 2-3 weeks for results which remain confidential and are mailed solely to the parent.  It is the parent's responsibility to keep the test scores on file.  Send the score to the ESD if and ONLY if the ESD requests it.  Otherwise, just keep it on file.  I do not (and neither should any tester ) send the scores to anyone other than the parents.  If you wish to see the specific errors of the student or have other concerns about the scores, please contact me to schedule a conference.

Note:  Parents must sign a test consent form for each student.

Parents/guardians MUST accompany their student to the test session - OR - download the Confidential information sheet (link below) which includes your emergency contact information and a consent to test.  To protect your child from unauthorized testing, a custodial parent or legal guardian must sign a consent to test and bring it with the student.  If you prefer, you may mail the form prior to the test date.  Simply call or email for the address.

​Please come NO MORE THAN 5 minutes early.  You only need enough time to come in and get settled.  Parents will need to fill out an information sheet with emergency contact information.  If you would like to complete it early and bring it with you, simply CLICK HERE.  If you and your child would like to schedule a short get-acquainted visit prior to the test date, let me know.

Note:   If a student is testing privately, one adult (no children) may wait in the testing room with their student.  Some parents go home or wait nearby (Roth’s or Subway at Sunnyslope Shopping Center) or in their car.  If other children are with you, they may not play near the house or street. If school is not in session, you may wait at a school playground (Liberty is 3 blocks away), or go to a park.  Parents will be called when students are done.   If your student is in a group test, sometimes accommodations are allowed for a parent of a student to remain in the room if the student needs this.  This must be pre-arranged.
CLICK HERE.

Parents may remain in the testing room only for insecure students.  Please make prior arrangement if you anticipate this need.  Non-testing children are not allowed in the testing room once testing begins.

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ADDRESS:  5074 Melinda Ct. S.         (in Salem)
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FOR printable directions, click the blue CONSENT FORM button above. 

Directions from South Commercial Street or from Albany (I-5 north):  
If you come from Albany, exit at Commercial Street exit 249, immediately north of Enchanted Forest. 
Go north on Commercial Street and pass Walmart.
Turn the next left, on to Kuebler, going west.
Cross over Sunnyside, then Lone Oak.
Get in the right lane.
Turn the next right, onto Liberty. 
Immediately and quickly, get in the left turn lane.
Turn Left on Charlene, then an immediate left onto Melinda Ct.
I am straight ahead, in the middle of the cul-de-sac.


Directions from Down town or East Salem: 
Go south on Commercial Street.
Pass the Ford and Dodge car dealers.
Get in the right lane.
Watch for the "Y" in the road.
Bear right at the "Y" which is Liberty Road South.
Stay on Liberty for several miles. 
After passing Cunningham, get in the middle lane. Continue straight.
Cross over Boone Road.
Take the next right at Charlene.
Melinda Ct is the 1st left.
I am straight ahead, in the middle of the cul-de-sac.
CLICK HERE for printable directions and consent form... 



This page last updated:  05-18-2014