I just sent them a copy of my GED. We haven't ever been contacted . I don't know anyone who has either. I think it mainly if someone files a complaint they check. I keep everything incase I need it but, never have.
Reading about what you all go through....makes me feel really fortunate I lived in Michigan while homeschooling. We have no regulation here at all. http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_6569_35175-307002--,00.html We don't have any testing, documentation, nada. You simply decide to home school and everyone's cool with that.
North Carolina is very easy too. I actually think it's good they require the little they do, because it hopefully helps to prevent parents from "homeschooling" so their child can work on the farm all day! I would test my kids even if it wasn't required, because it's nice to see the areas they need improvement. I am originally from Minnesota and thought about moving back recently. They have stricter requirements, like having to have your curriculum approved by the superintendent. But, you get a lot more up there too - if you want your children to take a class at the public school, they can. They can also participate in sports and clubs. When I was in high school, we had homeschool students who came in and took Spanish with us. Here in NC, while we have very few regulations, we also have NO access to ANYTHING the public schools offer. I live in a town with an extra school tax (our town decided to improve our schools by increasing our own local taxes to make up for the shortages we were facing). I have to pay the tax, but I see no benefit at all. So, there are opportunity costs to living in a low regulated state - those are usually the ones who keep homeschoolers out of all public school programs.
Michigan schools offer all extra-curriculars to home school kids. From the Dept. of Ed: Students in these home school families may enroll in noncore courses such as band, art, physical education, or music in public schools. They can also participate in sports and clubs at public schools. Best of both worlds....no requirements, and tons of access. State of Michigan also offers an online home public school option....where the state uses the money (your tax dollars) it would have spent on sending your child to school....and instead pays for curriculum, teacher and tutor access in virtual classrooms K-12, and even a computer and internet connection if you qualify. It's a great way for parents who feel shaky about their teaching abilities to still be able to home school with some help. Virtual school is big in Michigan. Maybe because of our harsh winters? Lots of public school kids supplement their educations with online classes, or take a qualifying class that is a better fit than what's taught at the school to fill a requirement. Also, they do a lot of credit recovery for kids who are just a couple credits shy of graduating...if they want to work hard, they can still graduate this way. Public schools are shockingly friendly to home schoolers here. When Elle started public school in eighth grade, I expected blowback....but we were treated very well and very fairly by everyone.
