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mariB
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| Posted: May 20 2008 at 5:32am | IP Logged
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I have been noticing during the past couple of months on some posts here that some mothers who have previously created their own transcripts for their first high schooler are now using Kolbe Academy for their second or third high schooler.
Is there a particular reason why?
Did you find it difficult to use your own transcripts when applying to colleges with your first child?
I have a 10th grader right now and planning next year...just wondering if you guys have found the Kolbe route easier and less stressful. Has it made your more confident?
Thanks!
**UPDATE**
O.K I've enrolled my two high schoolers in Kolbe for this upcoming year. I'm excited and truthfully relieved:) We will be using some of their plans and a bit of our own. They are very accommodating! We have a busy schedule and a little help in high school is very attractive to me!
Thanks ladies for your input! I really appreciate it!
Blessings,
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: May 20 2008 at 8:49am | IP Logged
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Marianne,
I did find it difficult and very time-intensive to create our portfolio and transcript. That said, I will do it again. I think it's worth the effort. My immediate concern for obtaining an official transcript was for our second child. I wanted an objective third party to validate our work and our plan of study. This wasn't necessary with my first: his writing, his reading list, and his test scores spoke to the quality of his education. But with my second, there are special needs and while I know that we are doing the best he can, it is important to me that someone else sign off on it. An official transcript is more versatile--almost everyone will accept it. That isn't so with a homemade transcript. Some schools loved our portfolio. Others completely disregarded it in favor of test scores because they wanted something "objective." It can't hurt to have an ally and that official seal. And I think that this way he is less likely to have his options limited.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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StephanieA
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| Posted: May 20 2008 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
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I have put together 2 high school transcripts so far without the use of a curriculum provider. But with my aged children (5 schooling and a little one and one with special needs) this year, I opted to enroll my 8th grader with Kolbe. She is mostly self-motivated and once we tweak the curriculum  , she will turn in weekly papers with their EES program. This, hopefully, will free up some time for me to...take a bath on a regular basis 
This will be a new experience for us, so we'll see how it goes!
Blessings,
Stephanie
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ALmom
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| Posted: May 21 2008 at 12:32pm | IP Logged
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I have used Kolbe for all my highschoolers so far - but have never used them for transcript services.
Mostly I sign up for Kolbe for the consultation. I got an immediate answer on how you do significant digits rather than spend hours hunting for a concise set of rules. I have asked grammar questions from books that were not on their list and they have enough expertise that they can answer the question from simply being told the sentence. They are able to give me quickly and easily the rules that I have long since forgotten and that makes things so much more efficient and pleasant for my highschoolers.
I use the Enhanced Evaluation for writing review both to get my dc used to another point of view, to have someone besides mom looking at their work and so that someone will know the next thing to work on when my children exceed me in ability to write (which usually happens by 9th grade).
I like to not feel guilty about taking up time to hash out or ask for ideas for what to do with science or... whatever. I always feel guilty for taking up too much time when it is a homeschooling mom because, frankly, I know how limited time is and how stressful life can be - but I also know that my dc need answers to their questions in timely manners even if it is help in knowing a reference to look into - but a lot of times it is a need for clarification because the materials are misleading or unclear.
I like having plans but not having to follow them . I like being able to look at their paper topics and figure out why my children always felt rudderless when I wrote up paper topics. I like having someone who has considerable knowledge in some of the more advanced high school subjects so the children are not held back by my inability to answer questions.
I like another view and fresh ideas from someone other than the same people I have always "consulted". I like that they are not necessarily homeschooling experts as much as experts and consultants in the field for which I have a question. It is tons cheaper than paying $25 - $50 per hour for private tutoring in those subjects for which my children need support beyond what I can give them.
Perhaps, by the time my 5 yo is in high school, I'll no longer feel the same need. By then I should have learned quite a bit and might feel confident without the consultation, but I really don't forsee winging it any time soon. I have too many areas of weakness and like that I don't have to wing it - but as parents, we do have final say. I'm not saying I'm incapable of finding most of these answers eventually, just that it is worth my time to have the help. I'm a less stressed mom and a better mom and teacher because of it. If that ever changes to where I become more stressed or less of a mom or teacher due to it, then it is time to drop.
Elizabeth, thanks for sharing, as I may need to consider that with one of mine who is not a good test taker due to some learning challenges (as yet undiagnosed).
Oh, I just like having lots of ideas and input to sort through. I feel so much less stress. Guess it just fits us.
Janet
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mariB
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| Posted: May 24 2008 at 3:58pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for all of your responses! It will help in my decision making for this fall.
;)
Blessings,
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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mariB
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 5:24am | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies for your help! Going with Kolbe with our 11th and 9th grader. **UPDATE** at original post. Again, thanks!
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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teachingmom
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
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I did the same thing for my rising 9th grader today at the IHM Conference. I also appreciate all the input in this and other threads.
__________________
~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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MarieA
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 10:25pm | IP Logged
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I re-enrolled today, too. This will be our first year of high school and I spent a good amount of time pouring over their books and plans. 
I had a wonderful time listening to the speakers and am looking forward to heading back in the morning. 
Marie 
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: Why Kolbe? **update**
