What is a public school system doing regulating homeschooling? There should be state law that takes that discretion away from local districts with political points to make and axes to grind.
There are multiple ways to assess academic progress, (Virginia law names several) and the school district should not be choosing it, not should they choose the test used if testing is the method picked.
I have my son tested because it's convenient and he tests well. But I agree it is actually a poor measure of what he has learned...though it is one way to compare his progress with that of other children.
In our state, I tend to think the portfolio and/or yearly testing is overly intrusive. I'd prefer to give the tests *I* think I need to evaluate his progress, on my own terms and my own timetable, and to have him take the state achievement tests only when public school students do, which is every few years.
But I would object vociferously if the discretion for what tests and when was handed over to the local school district.
"What is a public school system doing regulating homeschooling? There should be state law that takes that discretion away from local districts with political points to make and axes to grind. "
They are NOT regulating homeschooling. Re0read the article. The parents are REFUSING the LAW in their state that requires testing.
"There are multiple ways to assess academic progress, (Virginia law names several) and the school district should not be choosing it, not should they choose the test used if testing is the method picked. "
Great! BUT that is NOT what is in place in the state in the thread. What the law says NOW is what must be upheld.
"I have my son tested because it's convenient and he tests well. But I agree it is actually a poor measure of what he has learned...though it is one way to compare his progress with that of other children."
I don't agree that is DOES NOT measure what they know. It's simply a guideline and MANY homeschoolers in our area willingly take it to make sure their child is AHEAD.