Homeschool~ Between years testing, who else has to test their kids?

[CrazyChickieMama]

When I was homeschooled in Cali, we were "registered" with a private school (actually it was an old private school that no longer operated but did let us meet there for choir, debate, and art). When I graduated, I received a diploma from the school and was considered graduated from a "school" even though I hadn't stepped foot in one in 3 years.

My mom wasn't required to test us in Cali, but in NC, she was. She also could not administer the test. the person had to be a college graduate. Thank goodness our neighbor on Ft. Bragg had an English degree and gave my siblings and I the tests.

My youngest brother just got his GED. All three of my younger siblings were homeschooled from the beginning and now my sister is getting her Art degree. She's the ony one so far to go to college. I tried it, but did NOT enjoy it.


ETA: the nice thing about graduating that way was I was in the Top 5 in my class(there were only 5 of us

)

 

[saddina]

When my sister went to college after being charter schooled for high school, she did 1 year on campus, then switched back to online classes, something about being told to do English at 8 am....

 

[HobokenChickenEmergency]

Our only law in Indiana is that we have to provide the superintendent with our proof of 180 hours of school per year if asked. I've never been asked, and we're 2 years into it.

 

[briteday]

Move to Nevada!!! All we have to do is notify the district the first year we homeschool to agree that the child will not be penalized for non-attendance to a regular school. And just that first year we need to attach a list of the subjects and materials to be covered. Then you are good until they turn 18 and they cannot be considered truant anymore. The state assumes you are homeschooling each year after the first and you don't file any more paperwork, ever. Also, it is state law that they cannot force a student to be tested....ever.

OK, we also rank at teh bottom nationally for education. And I know plenty of people who "homeschool" their kids and those kids are doing absolutely nothing. On the other hand there are parents and students like us. My daughter started college after finishing the equivalent of 10th grade when she was 15. When she took the state college entrance exams there were only 3 people in the last 7 years who had higher scored...and one of them was a professor who took the test just to be sure it was valid. One of the other two was a homeschooled student. She is now 17 and has 46 college credits already. I had her take the Iowa tests twice, during elementary and middle school years. And I had her take the SAT the first time when she finished 8th grade. She took it again while doing high school work and may take it one more time again, since her official HS graduation year is 2010.

Our state education system is horrible here. So homeschooling was the only option. Luckily our daughter is self-motivated and did well with that system. But it's not for everyone.

 

[mamaKate]

I chose to remain in MO because of our minimum restriction homeschool law. Even the low restrictions are not strictly enforced. Basically, if there is no reason to suspect neglect, no one interferes.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Good luck on the testing! I know how the nail-biting is when you're worried you've somehow failed... I've homeschooled my son since birth, but when he spent a year in a private school, I was SO worried he wouldn't pass their tests.

I don't know why they have the 25% rule. Why even take the test? Is that just so they have a guarantee that they have a place at your kitchen table?

Arizona has VERY stringent homeschool laws. They REQUIRE you to go to the Dept. of Education office ONE WHOLE TIME and sign a paper saying your kid will not be in a public school. And they make you use INK! I can't believe those people. Always in my business...

 

[saddina]

In theory, scoring 25% means they're working 2 years below grade level, however some test questions are poorly written. Same percent as a 3rd grader only being able to get the 1st grade questions right, however most homeschooled kids who aren't special needs, blow the tests out of the water.

 

[OccamsTazer]

I mean this in an entirely respectful and curious way, I am not attacking any parents, but: What does a home school parent do when a child reaches middle/high school and you can no longer keep up with the curriculum?
For example, I went to public school, and after 10th grade or so, I could run circles around my dad when it came to anything but biology. I just don't think the typical parent has the skills to educate a child in every subject at the high school level.
Disclaimer: I am 23 and therefore neither a parent nor a high school student! I am not flaming anyone and I know this is a touchy subject, I just want to know what parents think about it!

 

[thewarriorchild]

Quote:
Answer keys

lol You just teach them what is in the materials you purchased or some have DVD, online, or computer classes. Sometimes you have to relearn it. It sticks the second time around alot better.

NJ has no rules, do not have to notify anyone even.

 

[mamaKate]

By the 10th grade ( if you've done it right ) you're more resource manager than teacher. You help find and supply resources and the kids learn on their own. Think Abraham Lincoln. Also, the teacher learns sometimes WITH the student.