[dark_lord]

Interesting situation. One the one hand, we don't want "the state" especially as represented by social workers to decide to just take custody of kids because they don't like the fact that the parents haven't had their kids take a standardized test. On the other hand, we don't want some nut cases deciding that home schooling means they can keep their kids pig ignorant so that all they are fit for when they are adults is welfare and crime.

While I am in no way sympathetic with the state, most home schoolers are happy to take standardized test because they consistently show how much better educated they are than the publicly schooled kids. And face facts -- if you want to get into college after home schooling (well, the vast majority of colleges especially if you want to pursue a real degree) you are going to have to take standardized tests to get in.

To take the position that homeschoolers are exempt from standardized testing (which is the least intrusive way for a state to determine that, yes, the kids are actually being educated instead of watching the cartoon channel all day) is like saying "heck, I'm a good driver, I don't need no stinkin' license, so I ain't gonna get one!" Well, yeah, maybe you are a good driver, and maybe you aren't, but if you are going to be on the roads with the rest of us we would like more than just your word on it!

[secretagent]

The government has no business assuming that the parents won't educate their children, therefore has no need for a "least intrusive" test.

If we don't assume basic good will and competency of most citizens, we assume a nation fit only for rule by an elite.

[webber]

If home schoolers are mandated to take a Gov't education test, then I think those questions AND THE CORRECT ANSWERS ACCORDING TO THEIR STANDARDS that are asked should be made available to the parents and to the public so that liberal pinkos won't skew the questions so that if you don't answer the questions in the PC manner you flunk. otherwise, it would be of no value. The test questions should be highly suspected and scrutinized as to their real value in the education of children. "How do you properly put on condom on a broomstick" is not relevant in public schools, but it's taught.

[GovernmentShrinker]

This is basically a 4th Amendment issue, and should approached that way by the courts. The proposed tests are a form of search, which the government is not authorized to conduct without probable cause. Given that "Both sides agree that the children are in no way abused mentally, physically, sexually or emotionally", and absent any mention that neighbors, local shopkeepers, etc. have been telling authorities that these adolescents can't read, there is no probable cause.

[BenR2]

To take the position that homeschoolers are exempt from standardized testing (which is the least intrusive way for a state to determine that, yes, the kids are actually being educated instead of watching the cartoon channel all day) is like saying "heck, I'm a good driver, I don't need no stinkin' license, so I ain't gonna get one!" Well, yeah, maybe you are a good driver, and maybe you aren't, but if you are going to be on the roads with the rest of us we would like more than just your word on it!

////
And you prefer to take the "state's" word for what constitutes adequate education because . . . ? (Certainly not because the state does such a good job of turning out educated citizens.)

[Mulder]

One the one hand, we don't want "the state" especially as represented by social workers to decide to just take custody of kids because they don't like the fact that the parents haven't had their kids take a standardized test. On the other hand, we don't want some nut cases deciding that home schooling means they can keep their kids pig ignorant so that all they are fit for when they are adults is welfare and crime.

How about this for a compromise:

The kid takes the test. If he scores "average" or better, the parents get a refund on their property taxes for the "average" cost to educate a child in MA.

This would assume of course, that what passes for the American education system is concerned primarily with education. In reality, their only objective is indoctrination and building empires based on stolen goods.

[Zack Nguyen]

To take the position that homeschoolers are exempt from standardized testing (which is the least intrusive way for a state to determine that, yes, the kids are actually being educated instead of watching the cartoon channel all day) is like saying "heck, I'm a good driver, I don't need no stinkin' license, so I ain't gonna get one!"

I disagree with your analogy. Cars are inanimate objects that can kill if they are wielded by lousy drivers. Children are not inanimate objects. The education of children is, finally and fundamentally, the province of the parents.

[Aquinasfan]

most home schoolers are happy to take standardized test because they consistently show how much better educated they are than the publicly schooled kids.

Homeschoolers like us, but... What happens when the standardized test tests for knowledge of PC doctrine? Then what? Parents will have to teach to the test, thus undermining the central purpose of homeschooling. A thorny problem for which I see no simple solution.

[paix]

You're right. Rules exist. There do exist colleges that do not require testing, only a GED. This is an option for homeschoolers.