My questions for debate are:
Should there be a come as you want attendance, i.e., you're only required to come to school when you feel like it?
Should equivalency tests be given out each week in school so that students may use them to complete courses quickly? For those of you who don't know, an equivalency test is a test of the year's work.

Let me start with the second idea. I don't know if I would have such a test every week (that sounds like it would be very difficult to do), but I certainly like the idea of allowing a student to "test out" of a particular class, or part of a particular class, if the student can show a complete mastery of the subject matter. The test would have to be a rigorous one which would genuinely demonstrate skill in the subject. This would be a lot easier to do for certain subjects than others. It seems as if it would be quite possible to design a test that would demonstrate a full understanding of Algebra One, for example. (I would picture these tests as being quite long and rather difficult.) It might be more difficult to design such a test for a section of American Literature, but it might be possible.

Now let's think about the first idea. I would not offer this option openly to all students. Let's face it; there would be some students who would never show up. (I'm talking about students who would genuinely benefit from school. Those few who are antisocial enough to make schooling impossible are another issue entirely.) I might, however, offer "days off" for those students who have demonstrated mastery of a subject. This would serve as a reward of sorts for being a good student. The best students are those that are self-motivated, and these would continue to learn. (Some might even choose to decline "days off." The student who has mastered Algebra One might be eager to tackle Algebra Two.) Less motivated students may need a more formal system, with mandatory attendance.

I hated having to wait on the slow kids. After awhile I stopped paying attention altogether. There should definetly be a way for students to advance at their own pace. It is why I study Instructional Design. I want to help estabilish very affordable private schools where kids can learn at their own pace. Set it up to meet the requirements of the Government(Which are sadly low and STILL can't be met) .
The problem with your first idea is that some people will whine that it isn't fair to other kids and will give them a complex. So it wouldn't happen.

Should there be a come as you want attendance, i.e., you're only required to come to school when you feel like it?

No for two reasons...too many would abuse the program and schools receive funds from the government for attendance and performance records.


Should equivalency tests be given out each week in school so that students may use them to complete courses quickly? For those of you who don't know, an equivalency test is a test of the year's work.

Every student should be motivated to advance according to his/her proven capabilities. There should be three levels: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. In the first week of every school year and in every subject, students should be given a written exam (a mixture of T or F, multiple choice, and essay) to determine at what level of the three each student should begin the year in. And then have various assignments/extra projects that will allow those students to advance at their own pace to the next level. This method would not shorten the standard time allotted for each subject, but would permit students to learn and advance on an individual basis rather than on a collective basis.