Technological Luddites?

Hello Home School Families! 

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve written. Since testing season, like spring, is here, I thought I’d communicate with you about the role and use of technology here at Basic Skills. With AI being in the news a lot, this seems important. 

I want to start by saying that you can count on receiving answers to your testing questions from real people here at Basic Skills. I don’t know about you, but more than once I have found myself talking to a bot masquerading as a human. It was only after a few responses by the bot that seemed a little off, a little too canned, that I realized I was the object of a marketing process. 

We don’t, and will not, employ this technology here at Basic Skills. We are an “AI free zone.” I like to think of what we do as “home schoolers helping home schoolers.” Home schoolers sharing expertise and services with other home schoolers to help them be successful home educators.  

To access our services and get the help you need, here are three ways to reach us:  

For brief testing and product questions, you can use Facebook messenger. I know most people who use this platform start with something like, “I’ve got a question about testing,” expecting the response they receive to be the beginning of a conversation with a real person. What populates on the screen following their question is an auto responder that mimics what you would expect to hear from a real person. We only check it two or three times a day and after 24 hours, Facebook prevents us from responding to guest questions. Therefore, if you do use it, asking your specific test or product question at the beginning of your communication will ensure we answer it before time Facebook times us out. 

The most popular option to connect with us is by email. While in the past we had specific emails linked to specific employees, they’ve since been turned off as our services now focus on testing, digital and physical products, and diploma program. , our go to email address, is checked every day. We do our best to get back to you within 24 hours, excluding weekends.  

Finally, a little-used means to contact us is the telephone. With texting and emailing dominating our communication to each other, this old technology feels like new and foreign technology to some. Some are uncomfortable using it and only do so if “forced.” But, I assure you, we’re happy to talk to you by phone. It’s often the fastest way to get the answers you need. 

Please check out our in-person and remote group testing choices on our testing page  You’ll also find information about private and semi-private testing options, and a list of our examiners in both Oregon and Washington here too. How ever you choose to contact us, know that we’re here to help in your home school journey.  

Thanks for reading! 

Curt Bumcrot, MRE