The home-schooled kids I knew were pretty much the same as their other-schooled equivalents. If a guy who was homeschooled was athletic and funny, he was fine socially. If he was a nerd who was homeschooled, he likely wasn't any better off than you're average nerdy guy in a public school.

I haven't come across any home schooled folks where I thought "wow, they'd be pretty socially capable if not for their home schooling."

And here's the thing - the same factors that might contribute to a home-schooled student being socially inept might also be the ones that make a public school student the same. No one is arguing that public schooled students are all socially "ept" (it's a joke, it's a joke) - there are many things ranging from parental involvement to shyness to autism( I have a nephew is autistic, but is high functioning enough that people think he is "socially inept"), etc.,etc. that contribute to being socially immature. Sometimes it is just a matter of time passing -we all know people who were awkward in high school who bloomed when they became older. Thank God, the social skills required in middle and high school are not the same as the ones required of adults. I was an awkward drama nerd in high school - and I went to public school. I like to think I grew out of it . . .:rolleyes:
As far as qualifications - again, until the "qualified" teachers of the public education system can produce students who out perform home schooled students on a consistent basis (you can google the research, if you wish) there should be no talk of making parents meet the same requirements as a public school teacher. Most states have basic requirements, and I think it is the states who should dictate what those are.
I don't think standardized tests are in public students' best interests, and I sure don't think trying to hold home schooled students to the same flawed standards is. Too many teachers have to ditch teaching students what they need to know in order to prepare them for tests which will determine funding, job advancement, and the like. I'd hate to see the same thing happen to home schools.
Yes, my daughter did very well on the ACT - but the only prep she did was some sample tests. She did as well as she did because she had a solid foundation, is well-read, and can write.
FYI - my husband once taught a class for the University of Phoenix - it is a giant scam. Surely everyone knows that U of P and Walden University are diploma mills, right? He even wrote an expose' for a national magazine. Stay far, far away from the U of P. Having said that, many well-established universities have great on-line programs.

This has been my experience with home schooled kids in college. I do live in a rural and conservative area, so there are many people who are keeping their kids at home for religious reasons and some of those kids FAIL at adjusting to life at the University of Idaho. I will give props to one kid I know who was beyond socially awkward and has made leaps and bounds with adjusting to the real world by attending a public university. He made the conscious choice to join us and even though it causes issues with his Christian beliefs and background, he knows that it will help him function in the world at large.

I'm now curious about the percentage of home school graduates when comparing public and private institutions, and within the private religious denominations.

I can't give you an exact percentile, but I consider myself a Christian. I was homeschooled in an environment that was Christian based, and going to a public university did not phase me a bit.

I was involved in many things in college in addition to Theta, including being a high ranking officer in Student Government, Officer in multiple honor societies, and many other organizations.

And I am not the only homeschooler to do this and prove that we are not "socially inept"!