We need to make a big change when it comes to what we call our “local” schools.
It is a fact that all local residents pay the property taxes that go into “local” schools. Yet, parents who pay local taxes imto local schools in their area are unable, and often not allowed, to obtain any direct benefit for themselves and their children for their tax contribution to the schools.
Off the top of my head I can think of at least three areas where the “local school resources” should be open to participation by the home-schooled children of parents who pay taxes into the local schools.
Their children should, at a minimum, be allowed to parrticipate in all the “non-academic” activities of their local schools - gymn class and participation in the school’s organized sports teams, elective classes like music and drama, and use of the schools’ library facilities.
Also when local schools host college entrance examinations like the SATs, ALL local children, even the local home- schooled children should be allowed participation in them.
I am sure other “common” benefits of the local school infrastructure could be listed as resources that ought to open to any children whose parent’s taxes are funding that infrastructure, even if they are “home schooled”.
The SAT is done now by individual enrollment, with the test-taker choosing the date and site, irrespective of where he attends school. My son took his at a county charter school, but he could have taken it at one of several public high schools in our district or the adjoining one, on the same day. The charter school was an easier drive.
The PSAT doesn't have the same sign-up procedures and takes a little more effort for homeschoolers. Bill took it at a Baptist church's private school. In our area, homeschooled or private school students can also take AP courses by correspondence (computer) so they have access to the AP exams for college credit. We haven't done this because it's cheaper and easier to enroll in community college after age 16, but it's very useful for private-school students whose schools can't offer the full range of AP classes.