Replies

It seems to me that a very big point is being missed in this conversation, which is that many parents homeschool at least partially so that they can teach things at the pace and in the order they feel is best for their child, according to the child's developmental needs. This may mean one child reads great at age 5 but it may also mean another child doesn't do their multiplication tables until age 11. With all the time wasted in public schools, there's no reason an older homeschooled child who is developmentally ready can't pick up a subject at an older age, whiz through it, and come out just as well-educated in the long run as children in classes of 30 who begin struggling with some subjects before they're ready.

The public schools in CA somehow think that part of the answer to "fixing" schools here is pushing that subjects be taught at an ever-earlier age which, in my view, are often not developmentally appropriate (i.e., multiplication tables in 2nd grade). I have a child who could do them easily at 6, but I also have a child who was hugely frustrated by this (despite hours of hands-on parental involvement) and would have been much better off waiting until age 10 (the age my parents were taught them in CA, when schools were also much better!).

The point is that if we expect privately homeschooled students to complete standardized tests, then we are forcing those parents to teach to the test according to the standards set by the state, rather than according to their child's individual needs, thus giving up one of the great benefits of homeschooling.

There are other reasons testing shouldn't be required of private homeschoolers (I differentiate between public school charter homeschoolers who agree to testing in advance)which have been covered here. I just want to point out it's not as simple as the idea "Give them a standardized test to make sure they're learning, any homeschooled student being taught well will ace it."

To some, all they need hear is "homeschool" and the implication is of Ward and June Cleaver doing best by the Beaver.

How do you know the parents aren't a couple of psychopaths?

Their making such a big deal out of a simple test makes me lean that way.

I want the State to make sure. Someday these kids are going to be released on all of us. Hopefully well educated and well adjusted, but we need a clue they are going in that direction.