Across the States
To test or not to test—that is the question
On October 13, 2006, a representative of the Urbandale Community School District sent a letter to all homeschooling families in the area concerning the availability of standardized testing. She made an unauthorized demand, however, when she wrote: “As you know, all children over the age of 7 must take either the Iowa Test of Basic Skills at their neighborhood school or a standardized test at the Heartland AEA annually.”
This is not correct.
Families can choose from a number of standardized tests-or they can forego a standardized test altogether and submit a year-end portfolio review by a licensed Iowa teacher. If a family chooses the standardized test option, the student is not required to go to a school building to take the test.
The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators quickly responded to this situation, and Home School Legal Defense Association Attorney Scott Woodruff followed up with a call to the school official who had written the letter. She acknowledged her error and confirmed that she would send a letter of correction to Urbandale’s homeschooling families.
— by Scott A. Woodruff
