CAT Testing Coming Up

Parents, the time is coming for the California Achievement Testing. We do this every year. It is required of us as an "Excel" rated school. It also helps to keep your curriculum costs down.

These tests are very important. When I send out a transcript for your child, they always want these test scores.

The test has changed a lot for this year. Last year the test we took was the last in that series. The test has been renamed and restructured to fit with new standards being set by the government.

1. Every child must take this test. They start with Kindergarten and go through the 12th grade.

2. The test is important. Many students don't try very hard because they think the test is boring. The test does take several hours to take. But it is so important. I've had bright students look like they are several years below grade level because they just didn't want to take the test. The only person they hurt is themselves. For example, if you were to move and you wished to put your child in another private school, they might be rejected because of their low results, even if they are really above grade level. They could also be kept from scholarship programs.

3. The test will cost more this year, but then the price will drop next year. The reason is we have to buy extra test materials this year because we no longer can use the answer keys and testing materials we used in past years. We will do our best to keep the costs down.

We will probably take the test in early May to keep aligned with last year's date.

More information will be coming.