--- In UnschoolingDiscussion@yahoogroups.com, Dan Lake <danthedad@...> wrote:
>
> The requirements page sounds like just about any parent, school, >curriculum
provider, or organization could provide third party >verification of graduation
or completion of a curriculum.


Here's what I posted elsewhere:

Yes, I did read the entire list.

Option a):

Here in New Jersey, homeschoolers are not under the authority of the public
schools. The State Department of Education does not issue diplomas. Diplomas are
issued by either public schools or school districts, or by private or parochial
schools, or are earned via GED, or are given by parents.

Most homeschooled kids in NJ who do go through the diploma ceremony do so with
their local support group, not a "state-wide homeschool association".

State homeschool organizations in NJ do not oversee homeschoolers, Therefore,
any diploma granted at a graduation ceremony has no more validity than one
granted in a family's living room ceremony, or with no ceremony at all.

Option b)

Many homeschooler create their own individualized learning program for their
kids. Most do so because it is best for their child. Many do so because they
can't afford to enroll in an umbrella school.

(Since when does a "curriculum developer" determine which homeschoolers have
actually benefited from their materials? If they are not grading assignments,
how would they know?)

Option c) - "third party verification memorandum"

1) In NJ, the State DOE does not oversee home education. Neither does any public
school or school district. Again, this option is nonexistent.

2) How would HSLDA know whether any homeschooled student has actually completed
high school?

3) Again, see Option A.

4) Since NJ homeschoolers do not fall under the authority of public schools,
families would have to pay a teacher or "educational consultant" for the dubious
privilege of having their grad's learning assessed and "approved". Or they could
hire "person with a graduate degree in education".

As if teachers' college graduate is suddenly the standard to which homeschooling
parents should strain to reach. </sarcasm>

Bottom line: NJ homeschool grads would find the least expensive way to have
their education "approved"... would be to join HSLDA!

Gosh, what a way to boost falling membership rates!
</sarcasm> (Sorry, that sarcasm switch is so loose...)

Rumors have gone around for many years now, saying that HSLDA wants to set
itself up as an approval authority, in much the way they set up the Richmans in
Pennsylvania.

Isn't it nice of the National Guard to assist them?

</sarcasm> (Darned switch!)

On the other hand, if simply attending a graduation ceremony hosted by a
"state-wide homeschool association" is adequate to prove that a kids has an
education, then why not simply accept the diploma and transcript straight from
the parents?


Nancy McVicker