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Some kind of Standardized Testing should be implemented to homeschooled children every year. And if they don't meet a certain level. (Let's say 50%.) Then they should be forced to go to public school or have a private school send the state a letter saying they go to the private school.
The same testing available to public school children is available by law for home schooled children. All the regency tests, all the proficiency tests, presat's SAT's, etc. Its all available.
you should research the studies on home schooled children versus public school children. Theyre far more likely to attend college, hold full time jobs, and in most cases have better social skills than public school children.
adding: Most states (any that i've ever lived in or heard of, except MO) require you to turn in a curriculum at the beginning of the year to be approved by the local school board, and a completed portfolio to be 'graded' by a certified teacher to satisfy federal schooling requirements per age and grade level.
As far as socialization goes, unless you sit at home on you duckus all day staring at books you're going to socialize just fine. Theres homeschool groups, play groups, homeschool sports leagues, swim teams, HSA's field trips, camps, retreats, lock ins... and all with people and children who are emotionally more balanced and capable than the public at large.
Can we please not turn this into a "homeschooling is better/homeschooling is bad" thread. That was NOT the question. Both home schooled kids and school schooled kids can have poor teaching and socialization experiences. Or excellent. And everywhere in between.
We've each encountered different experiences in life that flavour our views on different topics, but that doesn't mean that one's own viewpoint is the only valid one.
Different states have different laws pertaining to testing and homeschooling. Saying that "this is the law" is only valid for the state you live in. For someone who lives elsewhere, the laws are different--maybe a little different, maybe a lot different.