Standardized Testing Services
Dear Parents,
Standardized Tests serve as one of the possible options for the homeschool annual evaluations and also as one of the options for the required standardized test for PEP scholarship recipients.
They are also a valuable assessment tool that helps evaluate students' academic progress and achievement across various subject areas. The cost for this test could be covered by PEP and Unique Abilities funds. ​​
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Please note, if your student is not testing, they will not be attending school on the test days (April 29 thru May 2). There will be regular classes on Monday, April 28, 2025.​
2024/25 School Year- Testing Dates
Elementary: April 29 and May 1 (both days)
Middle/High: April 30 and May 2 (both days)
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Testing Day Schedule​
Drop-off: 8:15 am for all ages​
Pickup: 12:00 pm for all ages​​​
**Electives will still run as normal
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Payment Information:
If you wish to pay using the Step Up Unique abilities or the PEP scholarship, the payment has to be sent via EMA by the deadline. If you would like to pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed, that is also an option. Lastly, you may choose to make your payment via cash, check, Zelle (gcacoop@gmail.com).
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Payment needs to be received by the due date or the student will not be able to take the test.​ Please watch this very short video to find out how to send your payment. When searching for our school use Generations Christian Homeschool.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the testing schedule or the test itself, please do not hesitate to reach out to Debbie Weaver at stressfreehomeschoolcoaching@gmail.com, We are here to support you and your child throughout this process and beyond.
K-9th Grade - IOWA Test FAQ
We are excited for your elementary school students to take the IOWA test at GCH, but we know you still have questions that we want to answer. Below are a list of Frequently Asked Questions that you might have and our answers.
Question: Why do I need this test?
Answer: The IOWA serves as one of the possible options for the homeschool annual evaluations and also as one of the options for the required standardized test for PEP scholarship recipients. For PEP Students. According to the Step Up Parent Handbook for the PEP scholarship, the PEP student must take“a state-approved national norm-referenced test, and provide those results to the Step Up For Students prior to scholarship renewal for the 2025-26 school year, and each year annually so long as the student remains a PEP student.” They also note that the student may lose their scholarship for “Failure of the student to take a required nationally norm-referenced test or the statewide assessment”.
Question: When is it and how long is it?
Answer: The testing schedule is as follows:
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Kindergarten, First, and Second Graders: Testing is on Tuesday and Thursday. Drop-off is at 8:15 and testing ends at 11:35.
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Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders: Testing is on Tuesday and Thursday. Drop-off is at 8:15 and testing ends at noon.
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Sixth through Ninth Graders: Testing for Middle and High School students (6th-9th grade) will take the test on Wednesday and Friday. Drop-off is at 8:15 and testing ends at 11:30. The test for all students will take approximately two-and-a-half hours including breaks.
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Question: Do they have homework during Testing week?
Answer: GCH students may have work to continue with during their days at home and should refer to their teachers for more information.
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Question: My student is young. How are they going to take this test?
Answer: All students will be led through the test by teachers and assistants. They will be asked to fill in bubbles next to the correct answer after the question has been read to them.
Question: How can I prepare my student(s) for the test?
Answer: We encourage families of young children to practice filling in bubble answers at home. Practice sheets are widely available online. We also encourage you to remind your student(s) that the test does not threaten their future, either at GCH or as they are homeschooling. It is simply a tool that Step-Up asks us to use and does not determine the student’s intelligence in any way.
Question: What should my student(s) bring?
Answer: Snacks, lunch, 3 sharpened #2 pencils, sharpeners, and a well-rested mind. (The pencils MUST by #2.) 6th-12th grade students should bring a calculator in case we are allowed to use them. (This information still is not available.)
Question: What happens after the test?
Answer: After GCH sends the tests back, they will be graded and the scores will be sent back to us. We anticipate receiving the scores back within about two weeks; then we will send those scores to families. At that point, according to the Step-Up website, PEP families must submit the results to Step-Up before funding can be approved for the 2024-2025 year. Please watch your Step-Up account for instructions on how to upload your test scores.
10th-12th Grade- Stanford 10 Online Achievement Test
The Stanford 10 Online Achievement Test is a nationally normed, standardized achievement test that is done online on your laptop on the scheduled days. The Stanford Online is an untimed, multiple-choice assessment that follows an easy-hard-easy question format where items are arranged to facilitate student engagement and test completion. Each day students will be tested on different subjects and they must finish the sections for that day. Subjects covered on the test include Language Arts, Spelling, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
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We are excited for your high school student(s) to take the Stanford 10 Online test at GCH, but we know you still have questions that we want to answer. Below are a list of Frequently Asked Questions that you might have and our answers.
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Question: Do they have homework during Testing week?
Answer: Students may have work to continue during their days at home and should refer to their teachers for more information.
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Question: How can I prepare my student(s) for the test?
Answer: We encourage you to remind your student(s) that the test does not threaten their future, either at GCH or as they are homeschooling. It is simply a tool that Step-Up asks us to use and does not determine the student’s intelligence in any way.
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Question: Why do I need this test?
Answer: The Standford 10 Online serves as one of the possible options for the homeschool annual evaluations and also as one of the options for the required standardized test for PEP scholarship recipients. For PEP Students. According to the Step Up Parent Handbook for the PEP scholarship, the PEP student must take“a state-approved national norm-referenced test, and provide those results to the Step Up For Students prior to scholarship renewal for the 2025-26 school year, and each year annually so long as the student remains a PEP student.” They also note that the student may lose their scholarship for “Failure of the student to take a required nationally norm-referenced test or the statewide assessment”.
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Question: When is it and how long is it?
Answer: Two (2.5) and a half hours with break times in between testing sections.
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Question: Do you provide the computers or do I need to bring my own?
Answer: Every student needs to bring their own laptop and charger on Monday and leave it at school to ensure that the laptops are ready for testing. Students should also bring a quiet activity to do if they finish their test early.
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Question: What happens after the test?
Answer: Students who drove themselves to the test will be free to leave and drive home. Students waiting to be picked up should plan to do a quiet activity until they are dismissed. Computers must stay at school until the end of Friday, at which time they can take the laptops home with them.
Question: Can my student use any computer for the test? Are there specific processing or technological requirements for the test?
Answer: Chromebooks & iPads require the free MHS Beyond app from the Google Play store.
Go to this link for ALL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.
https://www.setontesting.com/wpsetontesting/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/StanfordSystemRequirements.pdf
Question: When will we receive the test score?
Answer: Test results for the Stanford Online Test will be received within a week after test completion. We will send an email notification.
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Question: Does GCH send the test score to Step-Up?
Answer: No. Each family must submit the scores for their student(s). On your Step-Up dashboard, there will be a location for you to upload a pdf of your student's test results. Please make sure that you select the correct year.
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Question: Can my student wear headphones during the test?
Answer: No. Headphones are not permitted during the testing period.