2016 Achievement Testing Info

[Mary Beth Jones]

It’s 2016 Achievement Testing Time!
for CIAS Students in Grades 3-12

Timed Testing: Mon-Tues, May 2-3
The Iowa ITBS for Elementary & Middle School students (grades 3-8)
The Iowa ITED for High School students (grades 9-10 & some 11-12)

Arrive at 8:30 at Charity Chapel, West Wing (NOT at CIAS)
5820 Montgomery Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32526

Testing will begin promptly at 9 AM.
Testing hours are approximately 9 AM-1:00 PM each day; students may be released earlier each day. Please arrange to pick up your students by 1:30 PM, unless otherwise instructed by test proctor.

What to Bring:
· 2 sharpened #2 pencils
· Fruit or nutritious snack
· Water or vitamin drink
· High school: calculator for math


Testing with Accommodations: Wed-Fri, May 4-6
Some students in grades 3-12 requiring accommodations will be tested at Charity Chapel, and some will be tested at the CIAS Campus School. You will be contacted with specific location information for your student.
Arrive at 8:30 AM
Testing from 9-12 noon
Pick-up by 12:30 PM. End of test days will depend on individual student’s progress through the test (it should end around 12 noon each day), so give your child a cell # to reach you.

This testing option is for students who require testing accommodations (extended time, untimed, or verbal/oral testing) as per their Academic Plan, or for students who have been officially diagnosed with learning issues (specified or unspecified disabilities) as per a professional evaluation. These may include, but are not limited to the following: processing disorder, low working memory, anxiety, test panic anxiety, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. See list above for what to bring to testing.

Testing Fees:
Timed Testing: $45
Testing w/accommodations: $70


Other local testing options:
West Florida Home Education Support League
Timed testing only
Email Alisa Dillard at [e-mail]

Independent Thinkers
Timed testing only
Contact Cathy Pascoe via her website: www.ithinkers.org/index2009.htm

Out of Town testing options:
Bob Jones University Testing & Evaluation Services- Stanford or Iowa tests
4-year degree required, may need enrollment verification from CIAS
www.bjupress.com/services/testing/

Or you may test at a local private school: acceptable tests are the ITBS, ITED, Stanford, and TerraNova3.

CLASS's CAT test is not an acceptable test (the norms are too old).

Attached is the Registration Form. Please download, fill out, and return it to CIAS by Friday, April 22.
2016TestingInfo_RegistrationForm.rtf (658.26 KB)

Thank you...and blessings!

[Mary Beth Jones]

Test Prep Information

There are several things that you can do to help your child prepare for the ITBS or ITED that he or she will take in May at CIAS.

Here is an explanatory video, specifically about the ITBS, for parents: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOw9IFnK1JA

Here is the first of an EXCELLENT set of 12 videos on Test-Taking Strategies: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0P5U9s4wYE

Grades 3-8:
You can order test preparation materials to prepare your students in grade s 3-8 from BJU Testing Services here: www.bjupresshomeschool.com/store/category_Test-Support-Products____563289
The two products that you should consider using are Better Test Scores and Practice Tests

Grades 9-12:
I will be teaching two workshops in April at CIAS for the first time, helping our high school students with test preparation.
Details: Fridays, April 15 & 22, from 9 AM-12 Noon
Price: $25 for the two day workshops
We will be covering the following topics:
1. Test taking strategies
2. Process of elimination
3. Problem solving strategies
4. Overcoming testing anxiety with relaxation techniques
5. Using simple tools- pencil and calculator
6. Practice tests

A registration paper is attached to this email. Your student will not be automatically signed up for these workshops. Please submit this registration paper by Wed, April 13 in order to save a seat in the workshops.
ITED Achievement Test Prep Workshops Flyer.docx (64.55 KB)

Students should bring paper and a pen to take notes, and bring a snack and drink for both days.

[Mary Beth Jones]

Hello, CIAS Juniors and Seniors!

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW TEST DATES LEFT!

THE PERT
If you are headed to a state college, junior college, or a community college after high school, you need to prepare for and take a PERT.
Here is info about the PERT: www.pensacolastate.edu/testing-center/
PSC Testing Services has two study guides that will be helpful to you.
A general PERT Study Guide is linked here: fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5592/urlt/0078248-pert-studentstudyguide.pdf
Another more in-depth PERT Math Prep Guide is available from the Testing Center itself (you have to go in and get it).
Your tutors at CIAS can also help with PERT test prep!

ACT or SAT
If you are headed to a university or private college after high school or want to seek college scholarships , you need to take an ACT or SAT (choose one or take one of each). I recommend that you focus on one test, starting now and moving into your senior year. These tests may be taken multiple times (unlimited). If you want a recommendation for one test, I advise you to take the ACT.

VOUCHERS
I also have several payment vouchers if you think you would qualify (lower family income). You would need to let us know that you want one, since we have to verify your family income and fill out a form. The voucher enables you to take up to two tests for free. More info about fee vouchers is available on each test's website.

GENERAL REGISTRATION INFO
Register to take either test at PSC as your first testing location choice and enter the CIAS CEEB 101614 as your physical school (they will send us your scores). If you are planning to apply to a college/university that has early admissions, you need to have your scores sent to that college or university at this time as well (it is a free service for up to 4 schools).

Register to take the ACT here: www.actstudent.org/
Register to take the SAT here: collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat?navid=gh-sat

TEST PREPARATION
I recommend that you prepare before taking either of the tests, the ACT or SAT. If you want to earn scholarships or grants, then I recommend that you contact Dr. Mike Bere for tutoring sessions for any or all tests that you are preparing for (PERT, ACT, or SAT). He has tutored many of our graduates over the years and has helped them earn hundreds of college and votech school scholarships and grants. He is especially helpful in boosting your test scores and teaching your the test psychology. As I always say, a few dollars spent now could be worth thousands of dollars of scholarship and grant money down the road! Let him know that I sent you to him. Here is his contact info: cias.proboards.com/thread/259/test-preparation

Here are online links to study on your own for free:
researchguides.pensacolastate.edu/content.php?pid=557835&sid=4598088

www.number2.com

www.testprepreview.com

[Mary Beth Jones]

During the 2016 achievement Test, the proctors noticed that many of the students testing were working too slowly through the Math sections. This was a clear indication that your student needs to work on math speed drills in the coming school year!

Here are some math speed drills that you should assign into your student's math program throughout the school year, at least 2-3 days per week, in order to help them gain speed and accuracy in completing math problems. This is not only beneficial for test preparation, but also for the increasingly difficult math courses that they will be taking in the years to come soon.

www.dadsworksheets.com/2010/08/18/100-problem-timed-tests-posted/

arithmetic.zetamac.com/

www.teacherswithapps.com/app_reviews-math-drills/

[Mary Beth Jones]

During the 2016 achievement testing in May, we noticed that the majority of our students in grades 9-10 were very unfamiliar with scientific calculator. This is a point of test preparation, as a part of a larger school improvement plan, that needs to improve.

It is imperative that all students in math classes Algebra 1 and up learn to learn to use a scientific calculator effectively and accurately. The model that we use at the CIAS Campus School is the TI-30 and its versions.This calculator has 30 functions that high school students need to learn to use, such as roots, raising powers, etc. It is available from Walmart, Amazon, etc.

It is our desire to help your students improve their test scores and general testing experiences in preparation for college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT, the ASVAB, etc. Please help us facilitate these changes by purchasing a scientific calculator and making sure that your student uses it on a regular basis for math schoolwork.

[Mary Beth Jones]

The Iowa Achievement Test results from the CIAS May testing are here at the school office!

If your billing account is current/paid in full, please drop by and pick up your child's results during our summer office hours on Tues-Fri, between 8-12 in the morning, or you can make an appointment at your earliest convenience for an Academic Planning Consultation for the new school year and review the test results with Ms. Mary Beth.