[Sisku Hanne]

I’m struggling to understand why you seem so aggressive and negative toward wintertime’s idea. Their suggestion simply offers more freedom of choice for academically motivated students and parents, not a mandate for all. My guess is that those who hate school would not be able to pass the test, and therefore would not be “free-ranging” in the streets.
Also, as a former “non-traditional” graduate student (and a former middle school teacher) I find many points of disagreement with the conjecture in your second paragraph.
Personally my only major concern would be IF a 13 yr. old student would choose to attend a brick & mortar classroom (vs. a virtual one), that they may be vulnerable to “predatory” situations.
The bottom line is, parents and students deserve more freedom of choice in deciding how to craft an education plan that best suits their child’s individual needs.

[A_perfect_lady]

I'm not hostile to her idea, I think it's a pretty good idea. I'm just trying to address the two ways it could go wrong:

1.) The expense of administering and scoring those tests is considerable. It is best to limit the opportunity to those who

...a) stand a good chance of passing, and

...b) have the maturity level to handle college or trade school.

2.) Bear in mind the impact this could have on the colleges. As I have said, at the college level, people are paying to be there. You dump a bunch of 13-14 year olds in there, no matter how bright they are, it's going to change the tenor of the classroom, and people who are paying for their seat aren't likely to appreciate that. We don't go to college to hang out with kids that young. I really do recommend that 15 be the youngest.

You have to think of the possible unintended consequences.

[wintertime]

t they may be vulnerable to “predatory” situations.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1) My kids were 13 ( one was 12) when they started college. Kids that young need to be driven to the college by their parent. Essentially, I waited for them in the library while they took their classes. If a sibling was taking a class the other children and I would read and study in library while we waited.

For us it was a very safe environment.

Any child who could take public transportation to a college would first have the danger of riding the public transport, ...so,... even there it would be better for the parent to drive them to the school.

2) The typical high school has plenty of opportunity for “predatory situations” .

[mdmathis6]

she is a school teacher from what she says in past posts...and loves to challenge Freeper Christians and getting them wrapped up in circular arguments...she should have been Viking cat zotted ages ago!