[nmh]

"We do not believe in assessing our children based on a number or letter. Their education process is their personal intellectual property," said Bryant.

Sounds like a nutcase to me. Why wouldn't a homeschooling parent test their kids? Something fishy going on here. Just what is it that these kids KNOW that can't be measured by a test? Furthermore, why should these kids be excemt from testing? Why must they be the exception to the rule?

[Notwithstanding]

If you think the state has a right to know what is going on in your kids head, then you have succombed to the mind-numbing of the left.

It is one thing to willingly choose to have the state look after your kids' education.

It is true tyranny for the state to demand such control.

[ClearCase_guy]

why should these kids be excemt from testing?

Yeah!! Standardized tests might help them learn to spell! What do you think?

Seriously, the parents are fighting for a principle. By what law does the State have final say over the education of children? Don't the parents matter?

[Notwithstanding]

These folks sure do look like nutballs.

[CyberCowboy777]

Why must they be the exception to the rule?

Because the Stat has no place demanding testing on free citizens. The rule must be abolished.

It is a little thing we call self determination, a Liberty thing.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Why must they be stamped out copies of what some bugeyed socialist monster says they should be?

This is Massachusetts, land of middle school fistf**king classes.

The question is, what the heck are they doing living in that cesspool?

[safisoft]

Furthermore, why should these kids be excemt from testing? Why must they be the exception to the rule?

Who gets to set the rules? The state? What if some day they make it a "rule" that parents who teach their children that liberals are evil must give up their children - would that be an acceptable "rule"? Which "rules" would be over the top for you? Or all of them legitimate? Maybe a tax on tea? How about special government stamps for all official business? Those don't sound too bad now do they? Yo, King George, we changed our mind...

The government is poking into areas are not their business, while real crimes are constantly committed. It is kind of like setting speed traps on Interstates - while the side streets are in the hands of rapists, murderers, etc.

[Lunatic Fringe]

"We don't want to take the test. We have taken them before and I don't think they are a fair assessment of what we know," said Nyssa Bryant. "And no one from DSS has ever asked us what we think."

She sounds like a well-spoken young lady for 13 years old. I can imagine what a public-schooled student would say.

"We don wanna take no test. We took em before and they ain't fair."

[Sloth]

Furthermore, why should these kids be excemt from testing? Why must they be the exception to the rule?

What gives the state the right to impose such a rule in the first place?

[Notwithstanding]

There is evidence that government education system is not a safe place for kids nor a place that fosters learning.

---

Found on the net:

---

One of the misuses of the words "schooling" and
"education" is the common reference to "compulsory
education." That is a misnomer if there ever was
one. There are no compulsory education laws--laws
which require that all children be educated. As is
commonly known, huge numbers are not educated to any
minimum level, including many who graduate from
high school.

[thoughtomator]

Even if you accept that not submitting your children to the test is a crime (which I don't), wouldn't you say that stealing the children qualifies as an 'excessive' fine under the 8th Amendment (or alternately, as a 'cruel' punishment)?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Perhaps they parents believe that what they teach their children is their own business. It is not like they could do much worse than the piblic schools anyway.

[Democratic_Machiavelli]

What do they know that can't be measured by a test?

Some homeschooling families don't learn subjects in the same order that public school children learn them. They'll do a "unit study" and cover a broad range of topics all at once. Some families prefer to go at the child's pace (i.e. don't give them algebra if they don't understand basic math).

If that's the case with this family, the state may jump on a slightly low area and say, "These children need our help!" The children would then be stuck in the public school system wherever the state wanted to put them. Unlike their public school peers who are automatically moved with their class no matter what their grade is.

[cruiserman]

Furthermore, why should these kids be excemt from testing? Why must they be the exception to the rule?

If you believe the parents have the right to do as they see fit regarding the education of their children, then you have your answer.

[dead]

Just what is it that these kids KNOW that can't be measured by a test?

Perhaps they’ve been taught proper disdain for communism and tyranny.

No public school test would ask the simple questions that would reveal that valuable knowledge.

[L,TOWM]

If you were to ask those questions of me about my two homeschooled kids, I would answer with a question:

"WTF is it any business of yours, a-hole?"

Sorry to get nasty, but if you ask some noxious questions, you may get some noxious answers...

[dasboot]

Mass law REQUIRES that the parents CHOOSE one of three options:

Standardized testing

Home visit by district rep

Submission of curriculum (overview, list of books)that demondtrates that it meets Mass Law for requirements...like state history, phys ed, etc.

It is the RIGHT OF TE PARENT to choose the venue. The school district can not refuse the parent's choice, unless they have PROBABLE CAUSE (evidence)that educational neglect is occurring. Period.

This district is out-of-bounds, and not acting in accordance with established law.

And the danger of the tests is this: Because the testing measures attutudes (affective domain) and has established a norm (do your kids fit the approved profile?) these results can be used for evidence of child abuse or neglect. These parents are being ordered to provide evidence against themselves...potentially... vis-a-vis custody of their children. (physical...nit just legal)

What you have here is a pissin' contest. DSS can't afford to have their charges aware of their rights...makes the job a lot harder. Too bad.

There is no legal reason for these parents not to prevail....just a matter of how much bureaucratic friction they are able to deal with. I hope HSLDA is on this case.

[armedandtotallysafe]

It is obvious by your reply that you went to public school. You incorrectly spelled "exempt". As for these people being "nutcases", you are sadly mistaken. Because one chooses to take a stance on a topic, which you obviously do not understand, does not make them "nutcases". I didn't realize refusing to allow you children to be indoctrinated by goverment schools makes you a wacko. The MA schools are probably irritated these young and impressionable children have not had the opportunity to learn the values of masturbation, gay sex, fisting and birth control. I bet you are one of the sorry souls who carp to the one homeschooling family you know about "socialization".

I pity you.

[TaxRelief]

Why must they be the exception to the rule?

Children in public schools are tested to determine if taxpayers are getting their money's worth out of teachers.

Children in public schools are tested to determine if they are receiving the services they have willingly sought .

Children in public schools are tested so that they can be brainwashed with a bunch of liberal nonsense while they are a captive audience (a.k.a the Reading Comprehension test).

Children in public schools are tested to determine if they have learning disabilities (last I checked medical information was supposed to be confidential).

[headsonpikes]

Is nmh the official spokesman for the Republican Party on this thread?

Where is the Party of Lincoln on the issue of freeing the children?

Anybody?

This is the sort of issue that drives folks to the fringe parties.

Some things are just so damn wrong that they drive people to acts of principle!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

First of all standardized tests are tools to make sure the civil servants we pay to teach are doing their jobs and therefore "worth" our money.

Parents are the one's who should decide what is good for the child, unitl the child is old enough to make those choices. If we had more parents actually working with their own children we would not have the mess we have in this country with young people. The state does not own children, they do not get to decide if kids should be raised in Day CAre,should read ceratin books or should be tested for IQ. It is none of the state's business what the child's IQ is.

Social workers, who are usually below average IQ, should not get to make up their own rules re: acceptable testing metods for young people. This is a case of social workers out of control and on a power binge. If that doesn't worry you, nothing should.