Testing Subsections
Q. What parts of a standardized achievement test should my child take in order to satisfy the testing requirement?
A. The law requires a “composite score” in or above the fourth stanine (23rd percentile) in order to continue homeschooling. A composite score is made up of the mathematics and language arts portions of a standardized achievement test.
Mathematics may include subsections such as computation and reasoning; language arts may include grammar, mechanics, syntax, spelling, and reading comprehension. Subsection names may differ depending on the test you select. Students are NOT required to take the science or social science portions of the test, since these are not included in the “composite” score.
A student may score below 23rd percentile in one of the subsections and still be okay. It is the complete composite score, not one subsection score, which must be at 23rd percentile or higher.
Need Just the Core Total for Your Iowa Assessment?
Good news from our friends at BJU Press: The data platform used to publish Iowa Assessments does not allow reports to be modified to show only the core total, which is the only score Virginia homeschoolers are required to provide.
However, BJU Press does offer a ready-made report with just the core total—and to help HEAV families meet the upcoming deadline, they are waiving the specialized report fee this year.
If you use the Iowa Assessment through BJU Press, request your core-total-only report by calling 800-845-5731 (ask for the testing department) or emailing testing@bjupress.com.
A big thank you to BJU Press for supporting our families!
