RE: Question 2: Non-traditional education

I believe that parents that research alternatives to their available public school and engage in same (i.e. charter schools, homeschooling, unschooling) have adequately demonstrated concern for their children's education.  I believe that the State should be more hands-off in the area of alternative schooling accountability as long as parents can produce a list of accomplished curriculum (even of their own design) and a portfolio of the child's work. We must presume that these parents, having demonstrated that they are not relying on a public school as a simple babysitter, must genuinely want an enriched educational experience for their children or they wouldn't have troubled themselves about it.

I think requiring STAR testing of alternative schools completely misses the point of why families find these options attractive.  Many of us choose not to participate in standardized testing as a backlash against a system that has been proven to be error filled; inconsistently applied; harmful to children; and disrespectful of educators. I believe teachers and parents are capable of assessing children's achievements and development through observation and authentic assessment (i.e. a writing portfolio).  I would hate to see the State pursue standardized testing as a measure of accountablitiy for alternative public education.