[HEY4QDEMS]

If a child that goes to public school takes the standardized test and fails it what do they do with the children?

Believe it or Not, that off the cuff statement could go a long way to reaching a solution.
I would propose that all home schooling families in Massachusetts get together and have all their children take the MCAS, unsigned of course, and compare the pass rate with that of public schools.

I wouldn't be suprised if the home-schoolers had a higher pass percentage.

But not signing the test, the state will only have the pass percentage as it's benchmark and could not unfairly single out specific families for harrassment.

[kjam22]

I wouldn't be suprised if the home-schoolers had a higher pass percentage

My wife is an 8th grade teacher. I think middle school is a point where many homeschoolers decide to place their kids in school, for a variety of reasons. Some because they want their kids to have the social stuff that goes along with school. Some because the kids want to be with other kids. Some because some of the parents aren't comfortable teaching highschool material... such as algebra, or trig or whatever.

There are many well taught homeschooled kids..... but there are also many many that aren't. Kids that come to the 8th grade lacking basic skills.

[jmc813]

I wouldn't be suprised if the home-schoolers had a higher pass percentage.

I'd be extremely surprised if they didn't.