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LLR4
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| Posted: Aug 26 2010 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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Hi Friends!
I hope this is a good area of the forum for my double purpose posting here today.
My oldest (home schooled) is in the 8th/9th year this year. She has been doing very well, grades wise, with her schooling all along, and I am certain is college bound when her time comes. She has been using LifePac, Switched on Schoolhouse, Writing Strands, and Latina Christiana. She is only just 13, but she has very, very strong interests in politics and government. She studies it, and reads everything she can get her hands on, heavily, through her free time! She talks a lot about getting a seat in the House Senate someday. lol. She has a tall conservative agenda! ; ) Who know...I realize she is just a kid, as serious as she seems to be. But my point is, I want to be sure I prepare her, for whatever she decides to do. So as she heads into her high school home schooling years, I want to be sure I do right by her. That brings me to my question:
HOW important or necessary are the high school years of home schooling, being accredited? I have heard of colleges being happy enough with home schooled kids SAT scores, and accepting applications for their colleges. Does it really help a lot, to be sure the high school years are accredited? Or that really mattering less and less, as the home schooling route grows in America? I would LOVE to hear from mothers/parents, who currently have kids in college now, and what your decisions, experiences, regrets or gratitudes were/are. Naturally, accredited programs are are more expensive, and what I do for my oldest (if it turns out to the right choice when she heads to college), I'll likely do with my triplets when they get to their high school years. So, I am just projecting and this decision with our first is weighing on my some, knowing it will be X 3 before we know it. I would LOVE any input on this decision.
Ironically enough, I am ready to loosen up some, with my younger ones, who are entering the 3rd grade. Well, by loosen up I think I mean being a little more eclectic and unschooley. : ) (Allow me to make up words, won't you?) With them, I have been doing Horizons, Writing Strands, many educational extras, and a whole lot of Catholic study. (Which is our daily life/living). But I think we are going to go the more random workbooks route, and heavy in Mater Amabilis style. I've been researching about how I might want to switch things up some this year, as we are tiring of Horizons (although they were learning very well), and the Mater Amabilis was the first thing that really grabbed my attention and moved me. So....I hope that will prove to be a wise choice. But my biggest concern is making the right choices for my oldest here on out.
Lastly, I just wanted to put the word out, that I am giving away a great Home Schooling product on my blog right now!! It's the 2010 School House Planner, and it is AWESOME. A UNBELIEVABLE Planner....for your home/schooling, you name it. I couldn't believe when I got it and saw all that came with it. Printable forms, schedules, charts, timelines, recipes, all editable, changeable, workable in your computer, or printed out as paper sheets. So if you are looking for a new way to be more organized this year, maybe you could win this give away! It's in the Home Schooling section of our blog: http://www.ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com
Thank you, for anyone who read all of this. I can't wait to read any helpful or suggesting responses to my dilemma!
Pax Christi ~
Laura
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~ Laura
Blessed: Mama to dd{A}13 y.o., and 7 y.o. triplets ds{J}, dd{O}, ds{S} and wife to Michael
Our House of Joyful Noise
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MaryM
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| Posted: Aug 27 2010 at 3:59am | IP Logged
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Hi Laura,
I did move this the the High School forum - I think it will get more response here.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Aug 27 2010 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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LLR4 wrote:
HOW important or necessary are the high school years of home schooling, being accredited? I have heard of colleges being happy enough with home schooled kids SAT scores, and accepting applications for their colleges. Does it really help a lot, to be sure the high school years are accredited? Or that really mattering less and less, as the home schooling route grows in America? I would LOVE to hear from mothers/parents, who currently have kids in college now, and what your decisions, experiences, regrets or gratitudes were/are.
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Answering quickly just in case I can't get back to the computer today/this weekend...
Laura, there are several ways to approach answering this question. Our family chose to not go with an accredited homeschool program because of who we are (we like designing our own, wasn't overly impressed with any particular whole program, didn't like the expense, didn't want to be accountable to an arbitrary program and their grading system, etc.) We wanted to be able to go with our children's strengths and address their weaknesses via opportunities close to home. We live in a metro area and are blessed with so many options. In other words, we were willing to take on the responsibility and trust that our children will find their path to their goals within this framework.
Most schools are looking mainly for academic performance as shown through the SAT/ACT. After that, they are looking for further proof of the ability to succeed in college via coursework titles and grades in those classes on a transcript. Soooooooooo, my children will study for the SAT. They will also prove that they can succeed at college by taking college courses in high school via the local community college. Other families can do this by taking AP classes, either at home or at a local high school, or regular classes with strong substance written in the course descriptions.
Your decision will also be affected by where you live and what school your child may want to attend. Arizona is a great place to homeschool through high school with a goal of attending a state school. ASU based acceptance on SAT/ACT scores and the transcript that we made and submitted. The only additional paperwork we needed to submit was paperwork describing lab science courses taken at home, which would have been the case if she had done them via an accredited homeschool program as well. I can link to more on this later if you are interested.
I lean heavily toward feeling that going the accredited home school route isn't necessary for most college bound students. I don't think it is necessary to work on the premise of "Well, I better have the accredited school credential, just in case the future...." I think the best and only reason to go the accredited route is because today, right now, it is the best fit for the student and his/her family.
Gotta run!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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ALmom
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| Posted: Aug 28 2010 at 1:07pm | IP Logged
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Accreditation by itself is not critical, in my experience. Neither of our oldest had diplomas from accredited schools - and we honestly did very few of the things we should have in the application process - just provided what was asked (a transcript and copies of test scores). Our oldest was on full scholarship through undergraduate and now has scholarship and assistanceship for graduate. My other just graduated and will be starting up an EMT program and maybe eventually taking courses for a nursing degree. Her path is not likely to be typical - ie she will probably look into getting a job with the hospital which will then reimburse her for courses as opposed to the scholarship route.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of ways to the same end. If one door closes and they really are gifted in an area, they find ways to make their own opportunities.
If and when you decide to work towards scholarships, keep in mind that a college is trying to sort through a stackload of applicants and weed through what all those courses mean (how serious was the course, how demanding, what were the criteria for giving a grade, etc.)and they are also looking for something (almost anything that will make that child stand out from among the crowd). Naturally, if mom is grading all the work, it is hard for a school to know whether or not mom is extremely tough to counter the built in bias or whether mom let things ride or didn't sit on little details, etc. Standardized test scores are about the only non-biased thing that a college has to look at to verify that mom's claims are worthy of belief (and not just mom wanting that scholarship for her dear)if all you give them is your transcript and test scores. Lots of folks have high test scores and most folks are now cramming and jamming to get those scores - soooo what will a college do if they are comparing your child against someone with equally high scores who has a bunch of certified courses from someone independent from the home.
Does this mean you have to change what you do in a major way to be competitive. Not really - but you do have to look at things from the other point of view. How might you show the seriousness of your home courses or that your child has done serious work, has the people skills, leadership, drive and creativity to make them stand out, etc.
Some or how you do this will depend on the direction/talents your child shows.
In some areas/fields there are other ways to be distinguished from the crowd - auditions for music, competitive teams,etc. for sports, science fairs or science related work/awards, anything that has been published.
If your child has strong academic gifts, it is probable that at some point the child will exceed your abilities and you will be having them work with someone who is more an expert in the field - duel enrollment classes at a University, a class taught be a tutor, on-line classes, etc. In these cases you will have documented grades from someone else. If the class is through a non accredited school, you can still have the tutor write a letter or recommendation and include their qualifications in the letter and you can certainly provide more information than the minimum requested (ie give a description, send a booklist, etc.). If they are likely to do well on AP tests, take these in those areas if you like. (Sometimes you are able to do this and sometimes no one will let you sit with them - it just depends on your area. You can always take SAT subject tests).
Think about all the non-curricular things you do as well. Many of these things show leadership, service, the ability to work with others, etc.
Some areas - like the military academies will want to see team sports or some outside documentation of physical fitness and leadership. In this case, they really want it to be from something recognizable and list some things on their websites.
Many Universities seek out homeschoolers with high test scores so don't let the standard hoopla scare you into providing less than you do by being different - just be sure to give a good description or booklists or something.
To assure yourself, look at your dd areas of strength and pick a few college websites to look at with that in mind. Often they will tell you what they like to see from homeschoolers. Don't panic.
Another tidbit - the more your own child actually does the calling, writing, etc., the less likely you are to get stuck with a stereotype of homeschoolers not knowing how to make it out there in the world. Make them do their own searching but help guide, offer suggestions, etc.
Janet
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: ?'s re: h.s./college & give away alert.
