Standardized Testing Information

North Dakota law requires testing for each homeschooled child in grades 4,6,8, and 10.  The test must be a standardized achievement test if you are using one supplied by your district or it must be a nationally normed standardized achievement test if you are renting one.  The test must be administered in its noming period and in the child's learning environment or the public school at the option of the parent.  A North Dakota state certified teacher must administer the test. The parent must provide the results to the local public school superintendent or county superintendent of schools.  You may opt out of the testing based on philosopical, moral or religious belief, or be a state certified teacher or hold a baccalaureate degree or meet or exceed the cut off scores on a national teacher exam.  If you chose to opt out you must include notification when you file your statement of intent. See ND law under "Laws and Legislation" for more testing information.

In the past, North Dakota home educators used the Praxis I test to opt out of testing.  The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has ceased to publish it.  The Core Academic Skills for Educators is now avaialbe.  These tests measure academic skills in reading, writing and mathematics (same as the Praxis I).  They are designed to provide comprehensive assessments that measure the skills and knowledge content of candidates entering teacher preparation programs.  See Praxis Core information.  The three tests cover the same subjects as the Praxis I, can be taken one at a time or all at once, and they are given in various locations around the state on specified dates.  There are cut-off scores as before.  Cost: $90 per test or $150 if you do it all on one day.  N.D. specific information at: http://www.ets.org/praxis/nd