Rhode Island Homeschool Standardized Test Options: Iowa, Stanford, and More

Rhode Island's homeschool law authorizes standardized testing as one of three evaluation methods, but it doesn't specify which test you have to use. That means you can choose. Families new to this process usually end up on testing company websites trying to figure out what ITBS, SAT-10, and CAT actually are and which one is right for their child.

This post explains the main options, what they test, and how to get one administered in Rhode Island.

What "Nationally Normed" Means and Why It Matters

RIGL §16-19-2 requires that the standardized test be "nationally normed." This means the test has been administered to a large, nationally representative sample of students, and your child's scores are reported relative to that norm group — typically as a percentile rank or grade-equivalent score.

Tests like the ITBS, SAT-10, and CAT meet this requirement. Tests that don't have national norm samples — including some curriculum-based assessments sold by homeschool curriculum companies — do not qualify and cannot be substituted.

Your school committee receives the test results as part of your EOY report. There is no statutory passing score. Committees review results holistically, considering whether scores indicate the child is making adequate progress overall. A single below-average subtest score is rarely a problem; consistently low scores across multiple years can trigger a remediation discussion.

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills — often called the Iowa Test or ITBS — is one of the most widely used standardized tests for homeschool evaluation nationally, including in Rhode Island. It is published by Riverside Insights (formerly Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

What it covers. The ITBS assesses reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Coverage and number of subtests vary by level (grade), but the core academic subjects are always included.

Grade levels. The ITBS covers grades K–8. For high school, the equivalent test is the ITED (Iowa Tests of Educational Development), which covers grades 9–12.

Format. The ITBS is a paper-based, multiple-choice test. Test time varies by level — younger grades take less than two hours total across multiple sessions; upper elementary and middle grades take longer, typically split across two half-days.

Scoring. Scores are reported as standard scores, grade-equivalent scores, national percentile ranks, and stanine scores. Most RI families include the national percentile rank report with their EOY documentation.

How to administer it in Rhode Island. Families must use an authorized testing service or proctor. Several national testing services sell and administer the ITBS to homeschool families:

• Seton Testing Services (setonhome.org/testing)
• Bob Jones University Press Testing (bjupresshomeschool.com)
• Thurber's Educational Assessments
• Rainbow Resource Center (provides test materials for parent-proctored administration where permitted)

Some testing services allow parent-proctored administration at home if you follow their standardization procedures. Others require an approved third-party proctor. Check the specific service's requirements before ordering.

The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)

The Stanford Achievement Test, Series 10 — commonly called the SAT-10 to distinguish it from the college admissions SAT — is published by Pearson. It is the other test most commonly used by Rhode Island homeschool families.

What it covers. The SAT-10 covers reading, mathematics, language, science, and social studies. Like the ITBS, the number of subtests varies by level.

Grade levels. The SAT-10 covers grades K–12, making it one of the few nationally normed options that covers the full homeschool span in a single test series.

Format. Paper-based, multiple-choice. Some levels include open-ended writing sections.

Scoring. Reports include scaled scores, national percentile ranks, stanine scores, and grade-equivalent scores. The reporting format is similar to the ITBS and is easily interpreted by school committees.

How to administer it. Same general approach as the ITBS — use an authorized testing service. Most services that offer the ITBS also offer the SAT-10. Seton Testing Services and BJU Press are the two most commonly used by RI families.

ITBS vs. SAT-10: practical differences. Both tests are widely accepted by RI school committees and both produce the nationally normed percentile reports committees expect. The practical difference is minor:

• The ITBS has a longer track record in homeschool communities and is slightly more widely used nationally
• The SAT-10 covers through grade 12 in a single series, making it convenient for families planning to use the same test throughout high school
• Cost and availability are similar — expect to pay $30–$75 for test materials plus any proctoring fee

If your family has no particular preference, either is a solid choice. Choose based on which testing service you find easiest to work with.

The California Achievement Test (CAT)

The California Achievement Test (CAT) is published by CTB/McGraw-Hill. It is less commonly used than the ITBS or SAT-10 but is nationally normed and meets RI's statutory requirement.

The CAT covers reading, language, and mathematics. It is available in paper and online formats through various testing services. Families sometimes choose it because it is slightly shorter than the ITBS or SAT-10 — which can be an advantage for younger children or children who fatigue on long testing sessions.

Choosing a Testing Service

Your testing service is the practical decision that shapes the whole experience. Key factors:

At-home vs. proctored. Some services allow parent-proctored administration at home following standardization procedures. Others require an approved third-party proctor. At-home testing is more convenient; third-party proctored testing produces results with stronger credentialing weight if your district ever questions the process.

Turnaround time. Plan for 3–6 weeks from test administration to receiving your official score report. Some services are faster; some are slower depending on the time of year. Don't schedule the test in late May if your EOY report is due June 1.

Score report format. Make sure the service provides a printed or printable score report that includes national percentile ranks — that is what your school committee needs. Ask before ordering if the sample report format isn't clear on their website.

Commonly used services for RI families:

• Seton Testing Services
• BJU Press Homeschool Testing
• Thurber's Educational Assessments
• Christian Liberty Press Testing Service (for families using Christian Liberty curriculum)

What to Submit to Your School Committee

Your EOY report should include:

1. The official score report from your testing service
2. A cover letter explaining the test administered, the grade level tested, and the date of administration
3. Your annual plan or curriculum overview (some districts require this regardless of evaluation method)

Do not submit the raw answer sheets or unmarked test materials — those stay with you. Submit only the official scored report.

If your scores include subtests in subjects not among RI's eight required areas (science, for instance, is not a statutory requirement), you can include them as supplementary information or omit them — the committee only needs to see the required subjects.

Families using standardized testing still benefit from systematic documentation throughout the year — especially if scores in any area prompt follow-up questions from the committee. The Rhode Island Portfolio & Assessment Templates include subject-coverage tracking and an attendance log that work alongside any evaluation method, including standardized testing.

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