Many people feel overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling through high school. Even those who felt confident homeschooling in the earlier years may now reevaluate the idea. Yet, this stage of learning requires the same from an educator as the earlier years - planning, commitment, and support.
Homeschooling through high school actually better prepares your student for college. How? By emphasizing the routine of self learning and self motivation. Resources abound to help a student during this time, despite a home educator's lack of certification in any area. Teacher guides, CDs, videos, syllabi, curriculum, quizzes, tests, and much more offer assistance in such areas. Homeschooling through high school CAN BE and HAS BEEN done! Therefore, let us evaluate the "How Tos". 1. First, develop a plan! Discuss with your student about their interests, goals, and abilities. Weigh options such as college, vocational schools, apprenticeships, careers, volunteerism, etc. Map out a plan that will move the child toward those goals. Do they need dual enrollment in a local college, an apprenticeship with a local business owner, or another method of accomplishing their goals? PLANNING - OUTLINE 1. To start your plan, first research your state laws for homeschooling during High School. Look here on HSLDA for that information. 2. Download a FREE Basic Planner Template @ The Homeschool Shop.com to use as an broad based outline. 3. Gather information for general requirements and content for high school: The HSLDA has information to help with this topic: HSLDA Main Page on High School HSLDA FAQs on High School HSLDA 4 Year Plan HSLDA Timeline and Developing a Plan for High School HSLDA Evaluating High School Credits HSLDA Preparing for College Now determine the necessary requirements and start developing them. If your child plans on college, what are the admission requirements for homeschoolers? Does he/she need to take the SAT or ACT tests? For example, here is the admissions page from Duke University. Perhaps the student can begin college before graduation with dual enrollment at a college such as Collin County Community College. Also, here are some articles about homeschooling and colleges: Home School Your Child into Harvard (or Any Other College) College Admissions for Homeschoolers Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers When should you beginning this planning? Jr. High School will give your student time to lay out a firm plan for their high school career. PLANNING - DEVELOPING Once you have outlined your plan, you need to decide on the route needed to accomplish the student's goals. Many options abound, but I will discuss just a few here. Regardless of the method used, keeping diligent records, transcripts, and portfolios will help to ensure the student meets requirements needed to graduate. For record keeping methods, please see my previous post "Time Management and Planning". 1. Setting your own curriculum plan This method tailors your educational plan to your child and goals. Pick and choose from different curriculum sequences, find the resources and self teach. To know the "what and when", please see my previous post..."The Next Question...How" Then, develop a transcript for method keeping purposes. Click here for a free transcript template. Once your child completes the requirements needed for graduation, set by you the educator, you are now ready to print a diploma. Here is the legality from the HSLDA for diploma information. Here is information from the American Homeschool Association. 2. Credit By Examination (CBE) Many colleges offer undergraduate programs to homeschoolers and credit by examination. Either the course and the exam or just the exam may be purchased. Upon passing an examination, school credits are issued and an accredited diploma may be obtained after the appropriate amount of credits have been accumulated. If the student does not take the course, the syllabus and list of materials may be obtained from the school in order to prepare for the test. Texas Tech offers such a program, click here to see their offerings. 3. Another option is to use a correspondence, distance learning, or online learning private school. This option usually requires payment for tuition and books. Also, although work will be completed by the student at home, assignments will be sent to the school (through snail mail or online) for grading and most include support of a teacher. These private schools also issue an accredited diploma for the student. HSLDA maintains a list of a few here. In addition, I have known some to enroll in Pearblossom and American School. I am sure I will update a continually growing list on my "Resources" page as I learn of more. 4. This last option may seem like a nice option to many families as the economy continues to decline. Free public schools offer a tuition free option with all books and materials included. Many do not yet offer complete high school courses and continue to expand the grade levels offered, so check their sites frequently for updates. Not only are classes, books, materials and teacher support monetarily free, many reimburse for internet and supply computers. Keep in mind though, that although work is completed via distance learning, they are still PUBLIC SCHOOLS. They structure the curriculum with little to no choice for the student. Curriculum may not be tailored where a child may excel significantly beyond their peers or slow down when needed. The child must still stay "on target". Also, there are time limitations, mandatory state testing, and many more restrictions. So, if you child completes their work in two hours, your child must continue to work for another four to six hours. Online classes with peers are required. Also, they usually do not offer year round school and follow the local school calendars. Not following their school calendar attendance rules can lead to truancy. Still, they are an option if they fit with your family's needs and goals. Just weigh the positives and negatives before beginning enrollment. Some in Texas are: Texas Virtual Academy Currently serving up to 11th grade Connections Academy Currently serving up to 10th grade PLANNING - IMPLEMENT Now, you have developed a plan, decided on a course of action, and put in the details. You are prepared to homeschool your child through high school and implement the plan. Just as children may be fickle in college and change majors, so their interests change in high school. Be ready to change your plan to meet their needs. Remember, a plan not "set in stone" allows room for tailoring the education of your child. Also, although law requires core education, our goal as parents is for our children to become mature, responsible and contributing adults that will continue to help our society. Comments are closed.
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