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I found this in regard to your comments:

They were ruled to be "unfit" for not filing educational plans with the government.

I think you're correct. I assumed the issue was over the MCAS test, a point at which the parents could've gotten thousands of angry people in their lawn stopping any action.

On second reading, it sounds as if the parents didn't file the necessary educational plans, in which they're supposed to go before the local school board, discuss what they're doing to provide for their children's education and how they were going to validate the progress their children were making. That plan would include types of testing and what extracurricular options (in the school, if desired) would be pursued. It's really a very flexible process.

I don't see the parents gripe here, if they haven't handed in their plan. As someone wrote, you don't want someone keeping their children out of school and providing some nutty terrorist "education"...or do you? Home study is really pretty common in Massachusetts, and local boards tend to be flexible.

I don't understand why these parents don't talk to the school system, set up a plan, and talk about testing. I wish they'd come online and chat with us; most home-study parents take pride in their children's achievement and could tell us what assessments they're doing to make sure the children are learning.

As someone else wrote, most school systems are actually thrilled when "screamers" decide to keep the kids home or send them to private school.

"I don't see the parents gripe here, if they haven't handed in their plan."

Go back and read post #194.

I don't understand why these parents don't talk to the school system, set up a plan, and talk about testing.

I agree. It is the reasonable thing to do, and really not a stretch if it keeps the bureaucrats off their backs.

You are on the right track. These parents refused long ago to file education plans with the local school district. Had they chosen to cooperate, they could have avoided testing altogether since the local school district has very minimal requirements for these plans and would have allowed any one of various methods of assessment. Because these parents want to make a point and get publicity, they refuse to cooperate in any way, shape or form. As a result, custody of their children has been turned over to DSS. That happened a while ago. As of now, as the article states, the local superintendent wasn't even aware of this latest action. That's because the school system has in its possession a valid education plan that was filed by the children's custodian, DSS. The school district is satisfied. DSS is requiring the testing, not the local school district so this latest issue is between the family and DSS. These parents may be providing their children with a wonderful education. Unfortunately part of that education includes continual lessons in stupidity and spitefulness that can't be good for any child.