Utterly Meaningless

Tim can probably comment on this with more accuracy than I can, but I believe NJ has started a similar program. Something about being in the top ‘x’ percent of your high school class and you get to go to any community college in NJ for free. Not sure how it will apply to homeschoolers, but I believe something was afoot.

Actually, I can answer that one. I wrote to McGreevey when he announced the NJ STARS program. Homeschoolers are not eligible.

If it ends up using GPA – it will only take a few years before it’s practically impossible to not get a 3.0 (or whatever the cutoff is) in a public high school. GA has had a problem with severe grade inflation in the high schools, since no well meaning leftist educator wants to cost a kid his “free” education.

We spent time last year rectifying the mistake made by the legislature when Tennessee’s lottery scholarships were established. Public schoolers still have a GPA option that homeschoolers don’t but the SAT/ACT score is now exactly the same.

TnHome...s.html for details.

Chris, that is my opinion as well. I am really wondering what 10 years of lottery-based education will do for the state colleges (my oldest will be close by then). If they don’t lower standards, a lot those inflated B’s will be gone after a semester.

I have a friend that homeschools in GA. They do test homeschoolers & have done so prior to NCLB.

Let me know what Gov Minner says in response & I’m also curious as to if you pee into the wind do your shoes get wet? (As I’m so sick of legislators being unable to think in the BIG education picture… they just can’t seem to acknowledge that their proposals have impact on all forms of education)
Gee does this mean I need to get my raincoat & rubber boots.

Here is more info on HOPE scholarship for homeschoolers. Homeschoolers are eligible, but they have to complete a year of college and maintain a 3.0 GPA and then be reinbursed for the prior year.

gsfc.o...es.cfm

There is no SAT requirement specifically for HOPE, other than the fact that the SAT is required for admission to the college.

There are problems with grade inflation at G-schools. There are also questions about how long the lottery income will exceed the HOPE disbursements. I personally think the homeschool model should be applied to everybody – do well and get reimbursed.

Georgia does require testing of homeschool students every three years, but the scores are not reported to anyone, and as far as I know, there is no method in place to prove to the government that you have tested your kids. Honor system I guess.

Brian,

Thanks- I guess I was thinking of TN’s version which does use GPAs and ACT scores.