The Testing Lady: Testing Information

Dear Parents, January 2012

This letter contains group and individual testing information for this coming spring and summer. Since I have kept my prices the same for 3 years, it is unfortunately necessary for me to raise my prices by $5 from what they were last year. Therefore, if you want the best prices, register and pay early!

NEW THIS YEAR!!! We have finally worked out some kinks in the system and you may now register and pay online! If you register online, I will send an invoice to you and you can pay thru Paypal. If you would rather not do it online, you may still do everything via snail-mail.

Look closely at the schedule below because there will be morning and afternoon testing times available for Iowa group testing 2^nd week only. The morning testing times will be from 9am to 12pm both weeks and the afternoon testing times will be from 1pm to 4pm (2^nd week only). All group testing will be administered at First Baptist Church of Norfolk located at 312 Kempsville Rd. in Norfolk (near Sentara Leigh Hospital).

The $15 non-refundable registration deposit guarantees your testing space. You may register by phone, but your space is not reserved until I receive your deposit. Along with your deposit please send a stamped (Forever stamp, please), self-addressed #10 size (4-1/8” x 10-1/2”) envelope. (Note: Deposit + Balance = Total Cost. Minimum total payment is $60 per child. Pay attention to which month you make your final payment to determine how much your total is.)

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a 2 day test. The group testing schedule is as follows:

Test	Date	Grades	Cost if paid Jan-Mar(Deposit + Balance)	Cost if paid in April (Deposit + Balance)	Cost if paid in May (Deposit + Balance)	Science and Soc. Studies **
Iowa	May 16-17 Morning	K(5)-12	$60 ($15 + 45)	$70 ($15 + 55)	$80 ($15 + 65)	add $10 to total
Iowa	May 23-24 Morning	1-12	$60 ($15 + 45)	$70 ($15 + 55)	$80 ($15 + 65)	n/a
Iowa	May 23-24 Afternoon	3-12	$60 ($15 + 45)	$70 ($15 + 55)	$80 ($15 + 65)	n/a

**Science and Social Studies tests for children 1^st through 8^th grades taking the Iowa test will be given on Friday May 18 in the morning only. Please remember that Science and Social Studies are not required by the state. They are optional and are given as a set. Grades 1-8 are charged a $10 fee for the set. High school students will not be charged extra for taking the Science and Social Studies portions of the Iowa Test and they may take it during their scheduled test dates.

No calculators will be allowed during these tests.

Notice the graduated payment scale. In the past, people have waited until the last minute to register for testing. This late registration causes administrative difficulties and takes time from my family. Please help me out by getting registrations and full payments in as early as possible. Early payments will also help you by reducing your cost!

NO STANFORD TESTS – I do not offer a group Stanford test. The Stanford 10 Test is designed to be an un-timed test. This creates more administrative headaches than I am willing to take on. However, if you desire to continue with the Stanford test, I will be happy to suggest other proctors who may be willing to administer this test for you privately.

NO CALIFORNIA TESTS – I will not offer the California tests. The California test is becoming old and is no longer being published. However, the California is still available and parents can administer this test themselves thru Seton Home Study, www.setonhome.com.

Evaluations and Individual Tests – Evaluations and private tests will be conducted in my home from May 1 through July 24. The price for my service doubles for any dates prior to May 1 or after July 24; therefore, make your appointment as soon as possible by sending your $25 deposit to hold your place. No private appointments will be scheduled without the required deposit. Prices will be as follows: (Note: Deposit + Balance = Total Cost)

Assessment Type	Cost if paid in full in Jan-Apr. (Deposit + Balance)	Cost if paid in full in May (Deposit + Balance)	Cost if paid in full in June(Deposit + Balance)	Cost if paid in full in July(Deposit + Balance)	Scheduled July 23 '11 – April '12
Evaluation	$95 ($25 + $70)	$100 ($25 + $75)	$105 ($25 + $80)	$110 ($25 + $85)	$220
Woodcock-Johnson	$95 ($25 + $70)	$100 ($25 + $75)	$105 ($25 + $80)	$110 ($25 + $85)	$220
Portfolio	$95 ($25 + $70)	$100 ($25 + $75)	$105 ($25 + $80)	$110 ($25 + $85)	$220
WRAT	$65 ($25 + $40)	$70 ($25 + $45)	$75 ($25 + $50)	$80 ($25 + $55)	$150

If you change your appointment after you have received confirmation, there will be a rescheduling fee of $20 per person. I must have the $25 non-refundable deposit to schedule an evaluation or private test, and there will be a $20 fee for rescheduling the appointment.

Again, I am privileged to have Renee Carey and Sherry Brunner to do many of these assessments for me. They do an excellent job and help me tremendously in filling the ever increasing demand for private assessments. I am looking forward to having their help again this year. (All of the private testing will still be done in my home to continue to provide your student with a maximum comfort zone.)

Remember that my time is becoming more limited because my clientele base is continuing to grow; therefore, please do not be offended if I ask you to allow one of my assistants to do the assessment. If I didn’t think they would do a great job with your child, I would not ask them to help me in this way. (I also promise not to be offended if you request Sherry or Renee!)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. If I do not answer, please leave a message on the answering machine and one of my assistants or I will return your call as soon as possible. I may be speaking with someone else about testing, and I want to give you the same undivided attention that I am giving them.

I am looking forward to working with you and your children this year.

Sincerely,

Sarah R. Olbris

P.S. Just a reminder – Parents, you are responsible to send in your children’s test scores to the appropriate school system. I will not send test scores to anyone but you.

Also, we have learned that the military as well as some government positions (local, state and federal) are requiring testing for 12^th grade as proof of completion and graduation. I strongly recommend that 12^th graders get tested if they are not going to start college this fall.