Preparing Homeschoolers for College

It can be overwhelming. After years of happily homeschooling young children, parents look at high school and suddenly panic. Record keeping, transcripts, courses, credits, and tests! Those things are real, I'll admit, but in the grand scheme of things, they really aren't very important. They are all just small, manageable goals that you can complete one step at a time. When you strip away all this fluff and meringue, you are really left with just one major goal each year. There are only four goals in the four years of high school.

Read the whole article and learn the goal for freshman year, sophomore year, junior year and senior year.

Read the complete article here

Dealing with learning challenges is difficult, but in high school, it can become seriously concerning. You don't have to be afraid! With the great student to teacher ratio of homeschooling, and the love for your child, you have what it takes!

Debbie was at her lowest point when she realized her 12 year old son, Dan, could not read or write in his Sunday school classes. She had to carefully shield him from the judgment of others. Her homeschool friends were very understanding, but she worked hard to keep him away from situations where he would have to read aloud. She was distraught. Again and again they changed curriculum, hoping each time that a new curriculum would change everything. It seemed like nothing would ever work. He struggled with learning all the way through high school. She never had him officially tested, because she didn't want him to be labeled as an adult. Dan has achieved wonderful things since graduating homeschool!

Read about Debbie and Dan, JoAnn and her daughters, Jill's National Merit Scholarship Achievement, advice from in-the-trenches Joelle, and get tips on finding a perfect-fit college.

Read the Article Here

Turn Your Humble Homeschool into a -
Supercharged, High Octane,
College Prep, Homeschool Academy
(Without Making Mom a Basketcase!)

...You can homeschool high school independently and I can help!

Preparing to Homeschool High School - 2nd Edition

Completely updated with nearly 4 HOURS of instructional material (90 more minutes than the 1st edition!)

Topics include planning high school courses, planning lessons, assigning grades, determining credit, keeping great records, navigating the standard high school tests, socialization and specialization and planning to succeed in college.

Price: $60

Get More Information

The HomeScholar's new e-book, "The Easy Truth About Homeschool Transcripts" teaches you how to create incredible homeschool transcripts the easy way! No need for complicated software or expensive accreditation services. You have everything you need to create incredible transcripts that will impress colleges!

Read more about it here.

For some women, it comes on suddenly.

At two in the morning you snap awake in a cold sweat, heart racing, gasping for breath with every muscle tensed. You wonder, "Is this The Change?" "No," you tell yourself, "I'm only 40." When you finally come to your senses, you are able to verbalize the true source of your panic. Sitting up straight in bed, you seize your husband's shoulders and scream, "But what about COLLEGE!?"

If this hasn't happened yet, tonight might be your lucky night. It seems when you homeschool high school, your biological clock suddenly tells you "the end is near." If you make it through homeschool high school and haven't experienced this panic, you are a strong woman indeed!

When this sort of "change of life" occurs, don't panic. Plan. Look college admission straight in the face, take a deep breath, and find your happy place.

College Admission and Planning Read my article here

"I always thought the idea of teaching was highly overrated. I was more interested that my kids learned."
~Lee Binz

Stop Teaching and Start Learning
Do you sometimes long for an "escape from teaching?" I sure did, especially as my kids got a little older. The good news is that your days playing the "teacher" role will someday come to an end. Instead your role will evolve to that of a "learning facilitator."

It's true: there comes a point in most homeschools where you must let go of the idea of "teaching" everything. Usually, this comes in high school, with calculus, physics, and foreign language. Depending on how passionate your student is on a particular subject, this time can come much earlier. Sometimes that will mean you find self-teaching curriculum and allow them to learn without your help. But sometimes "not teaching" really means just letting go!

Read complete article here

A parent came to my booth at the Homeschool College Fair in Washington, and asked for help with her teenager. She described how her son was burned out, stressed out, struggling to keep up - and she worried that he was failing.

When I talk to parents with these concerns, it usually means one thing. It was the end of the day, and so I just blurted it out. "I was wondering...are you in a co-op?"

"How did you know?" she replied.

Find out how she knew here

A mother (who shall remain nameless) called me during my free office hours last May, seeking advice about college applications. Her question went something like this:

"It's May of my daughter's senior year, and she wants to go to college. She is very gifted, but we have never done math or foreign language, and she hasn't take the SAT or ACT. She hasn't looked at many colleges, but I know she is smart enough to get into Harvard, and I know homeschoolers can get in there. Can you help me?"

Now, before you jump to any conclusions about this mom, let me just mention that she was not the ONLY phone call like this last May! And no, May of senior year is not the time to begin thinking about college - especially if you want to go to an Ivy League school! Getting into college requires planning. There is a lot of work that needs to be done during junior year particularly, because junior year is pivotal.

In fact, careful planning and conscientious effort during junior year can compensate for a lack of attention earlier in high school. If you have a junior, follow these strategies now and you can be successful at the college admission game. If your student is younger, pencil these into your calendar now, so that you are ready for junior year - when it's your turn to work hard!

Learn the 9 Keys that can make YOUR junior year successful!

I was at my husband's softball game doing what I love doing at his games - talking about homeschooling. My friend Kathy said to me, "I never took PSAT in high school. I don't think I knew anything about it. Suddenly all my friends were taking it one weekend, and by then it was too late to sign up!" Some things never change! Every year I talk to students that are in the same situation that Kathy was decades ago. They don't realize the test is available, or that they should register. The next thing they know, they are spending the day alone, while all their friends are taking the test.

In this article you will learn the two purposes of the PSAT, how homeschoolers can take the test, and what the benefits are. The PSAT is only offered once a year, so it's really easy to miss. The ONLY way to make sure your student can take the test is to plan ahead. Sounds intimidating? I'll break that information down into bite-sized pieces.

The complete name for the test is PSAT/NMSQT which stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Don't just think "Wow! That's the biggest acronym I've ever seen!" The name can help you decipher the two functions of the PSAT. The first name, PSAT means it's a practice test that you can take "for fun" to learn about the SAT. The second name, NMSQT means National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which means you can take the test "for profit" as a junior. Either way can benefit your student. Let me describe the functions of the PSAT so that you feel completely comfortable with it.

Read the entire article and learn what you should do next

Tovi was explaining to me her anxieties about high school. After seven successful years of homeschooling, high school was making her nervous. She sought help from a company with certified teachers and an accredited program. Instead of supporting her successful homeschool, they told her not to use the curriculum she had chosen.

Why?

Personal preference. Even though the curriculum was popular and successful among homeschool families, the teacher just didn't prefer it. It simply wasn't her cup of tea. Tovi left that meeting feeling more insecure and incapable. Fortunately, because she was a veteran homeschooler, she didn't stop there but continued to look for help that was a better fit for her family. That's how she found me.

"That one phrase on your website got me," she said. "I will not judge your homeschool or evaluate your children." That was how she ended up with me, talking about curriculum.

When you are starting high school and feeling a bit insecure, how do you go about choosing curriculum? Here are ten proven strategies to help you make successful curriculum decisions. Finally, if you're still stuck after all that, I'll share my personal "starting points" for choosing curriculum so you can see the things that I used.

Read the entire article here

Are you thinking about homeschooling high school? Perhaps you have already started and have a few questions. Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, has created a resource just for you! The HomeScholar Gold Care Club is your one stop shop for all your homeschool high school questions. You can get expert advice on transcripts, grades, credits, record keeping, college preparation and more. This site is filled with parent training tools (videos and audios), templates, planning guides and good solid advice for all parents who are considering homeschooling high school with an eye toward college.

Get more information here

What would happen if your family situation changes and you feel the need to put your child into public school
in the middle of high school? In some states it's easy to take kids out of public high school, but much more difficult to put them back in. This combination of concerns leads some parents to consider abandoning homeschooling during the later grades and put their kids into public or private high school in 9th grade. For others, the fear leads
them to consider accredited programs. It's not because they don't like homeschooling, or because homeschooling isn't working for their family. They do these things because they're afraid of the "what if" situation:

• "What if" there is a family trauma and we have to put our kids back into school?
  
• "What if" the high school doesn't accept credits earned at home.
  
• "What if" my child is put back into the 9th grade, and made to start high school over?

The good news is that you don't put kids into school because you are afraid! There are other options!
Read Complete Article

By Matt Binz (Mr. HomeScholar)

Do you ever find yourself observing children at a supermarket, library, or a shopping mall? I do. My wife and I will sometimes play a game called, "Spot the Homeschoolers." For some reason, it is not all that difficult to identify homeschooled kids in public, whether or not they are with their family or in a crowd of other teens.

Why is that?

One of the distinctives is manners. I've noticed that homeschool kids tend to conduct themselves more civilly than their formally schooled counterparts. This is likely because homeschool families may be a bit more attentive to the rules of conduct in civil society than other families. Gross generalization - yes - but true enough to make "Spot the Homeschoolers" a possibility.

(Read complete article here)

The PSAT is only offered once a year in October, and you have to plan ahead to participate. It can help with finding the perfect college, and it does have some scholarship money attached. Here is what The College Board says about homeschoolers and PSAT registration.

"If you are a home-schooled student, contact a principal or counselor at a local public or independent high school to make arrangements to take the PSAT/NMSQT at their school. Be sure to do so well in advance of the mid-October test dates, preferably during the previous June. If you're a home-schooled student, your PSAT/NMSQT score report is sent directly to your home address. On the test day, when completing the basic information on the answer sheet, be sure to enter your state's home school code in the "school code" section. The test supervisor will provide this for you."

The College Board administers the PSAT, and SAT exams. Homeschool students can take the test at a public OR private school in their area. Although schools aren't always homeschool friendly, the College Board usually is. They have a web page titled "Home-Schooled Students and PSAT/NMSQT® Why, When, and How" that is very helpful. Check it out!

There are good reasons to take the PSAT "for fun" as a Sophomore, but it only counts toward the National Merit Scholarship when the student takes the test as a Junior. You can learn more about high school tests in my audio course, if you are interested. Read more about my "High School Testing" audio course here.

How important is the perfect college? And how do you find it? Nothing can replace just LOOKING for colleges.

I'm constantly amazed at the diversity among colleges, and it really will help you to look around before deciding. If you have a budding doctor, then you want to find a college like Seattle Pacific University, which has an unusual 100% medical school acceptance rate. Read about their perfect score on their website, spu.edu. If you have a math or science whiz, consider Ohio Wesleyan University. According to a representative from a science fair, they needed more applicants in science and math. She told me that 12 of their $60,000 scholarships were not given out because there were not enough qualified applicants. When I was at the college fair, I found colleges that specialize in remedial help, a college that wanted Lacrosse players, and a college that provide a full scholarship for every engineering student. Looking around at different colleges can provide a perfect fit for your student - or earn fabulous scholarships.

If you want to learn more about the steps to finding a college, I have a video presentation that can help you. Read more about "Finding a College" here.

When commitment to homeschooling is high, but the economy is low, what is a parent to do? It's time to think creatively, and brainstorm ideas to help your homeschool thrive even in a difficult economy. The economic meltdown may be too close for comfort in your home, but there are still some drastic cost-cutting strategies that will help you survive.

When your commitment to homeschooling is high, but the economy is low, what is a parent to do? It's time to think creatively, and brainstorm ideas to help your homeschool thrive even in a difficult economy. The economic meltdown may be too close for comfort in your home, but there are still some drastic cost-cutting strategies that will help you survive.

Learn the six ways to bail out your own homeschool!

1. Don't Pay to Play
2. Buy Smart
3. Choosy Mothers Choose Math
4. Go to the Library
5. Get a Job
6. Compensate with Thorough Record Keeping
7. Think, Don't Panic

Read about these money-saving strategies here.

Many colleges are changing the way they distribute financial aid, making it much more affordable for ordinary students to afford extraordinary colleges. Read about these examples!

Brown "Brown University is eliminating tuition for students whose parents earn less than $60,000, after decisions by fellow Ivy League universities to bolster financial aid as their endowments grow." The New York Times.

MIT"Given our commitment to meeting our students' full need, when tuition goes up, we make sure that the aid we offer rises even faster."

Other colleges are joining the bandwagon as well. In previous newsletters I've told you that Harvard and Yale are the same way. Why are colleges making these changes? The New York Times explains "Senate is Looking at Endowments as Tuition Rises."

So is there a downside? Perhaps. This Newsweek article says "enrollment specialists ... have long warned that elite schools may soon have a two-tier student body: full-paying students from the top echelons of wealth and lower-income kids supported by generous financial aid packages."

Others are noticing a different consequence. As more students hear about the affordability of these colleges, the number of applicants is increasing. That makes is less likely for any one person to get in, and it makes them appear to be an even more selective and prestigious college. But if you get in, the price is right!

Let others argue about whether this is good news or not. I just know that that some colleges are more affordable than before. Everyone can reach for a college education! Don't give up! Look here to discover what a successful Comprehensive Record looks like. Call me if you need help. You can do this!

Aim for College
Parents can provide a college preparation during high school for every student, which can benefit every child. If they ultimately don't go to college, then your homeschool education will be the only education they get. Make it great! They'll be well prepared for life and their civic responsibilities. Plus, if they ever change their mind and decide to go to college, they will have a much easier time getting in. On the other hand, some parents know early on that their children are college bound. For them, a college prep education can influence the quality of the colleges they get admitted to. College preparation can benefit everyone!

(Read Complete Article)

Getting to know colleges is very important, because you are trying to find that perfect fit for your student. I was reading an article about Christendom College in Virginia. A strongly conservative and devoutly Catholic college, 50% of the student body has been homeschooled. That college is the perfect match for someone.
Read the article in US News.

Learn more about Finding a College

Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA) does a wonderful job of explaining what it means to be a homeschool friendly college. Read their policy here: HSLDA.org

In general, a homeschool friendly college is one that treats a homeschool applicant the same as a public school applicant. Your child would be requested to take the exact same tests as any other student - more tests are not required of a homeschool applicant. Some colleges say they are homeschool friendly, when in reality they have "hoops" that we have to jump through. HSLDA has a rating scale for college admission policies here:

Tier 1: The college accepts the parent's transcript, along with general standardized achievement testing, and/or the review of a portfolio.
Tier 2: The college requires a GED in place of, or in addition to, any of the Tier I requirements.
Tier 3: This type of college requires test scores (like the SAT II) from home school students that are not required of traditional high school students, which is inequitable.

Let's compare three colleges that claim to be homeschool friendly: Trinity Western University, The University of Washington, and Evergreen State College.

(Read complete article)

Homeschooling parents know how to best educate their children. Use what you know about your students and their learning styles and consider the subjects that colleges want to see. Homeschooling in high school is very efficient and there is plenty time in the day to give your children an education that has breadth and depth in a way that is meaningful to the student. Here is a list of the courses that colleges look for in their applicants. As you read it, think about how you can incorporate these subjects into your homeschool.

(Read complete article)

"C'mon kids! We're going to the fair!!" I let them pile in the minivan with images of scones, roller coasters and disturbingly large cows dancing through their heads. I didn't tell them it was the College Fair. Thank goodness we homeschool! They'd had so many experiences going to homeschool conventions, that their first College Fair seemed very comfortable. That's because college fairs are just like homeschool conventions, but instead of trying to sell curriculum, it's trying to sell a college. A college fair can be a good starting point in choosing a college, and right now is college fair season.

(Read Complete Article)

As homeschool parents, our goal is NOT to teach something. Our goal is for the kids to LEARN. I could have taught my kids "at grade level" and they would have not learned a thing. Instead, I gave them curriculum at their ability level, and then they had to learn something that they didn't already know.

Read more

This mother was asking how to find a good college for her daughter that wants a PhD in Biology. She was asking for a school in New Jersey, and I don't know the schools in that area. I was able to give her some general advice, though.

(Read my response here)

"Strap on Your Auxiliary Brain!"

My son Kevin is a chess genius. When he was in high school, he was ranked second in state even though he never had a chess coach like the other kids. Instead of a coach, my husband purchased a high-powered chess program for his Palm Pilot, and he would play Kevin while using the chess program. We used to tease my husband that he was "strapping on his auxiliary brain" when he played with the chess computer in his hand.

Sometimes Moms feel sick with worry about transcripts or course descriptions. If you want to do it yourself, but you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, you can use The HomeScholar as your "auxiliary brain!" We can talk over the phone, and discuss class titles, credit value, course descriptions, grading criteria, and anything else that is wearing you down. I'll give you the brain-power boost, and you can make your own transcript with the information you glean from our discussion. Remember that I don't judge your homeschool or evaluate your children, I'm just here to help if you need me!

>>>>One mother asked if it was better homeschoolers to take the SAT or the ACT.<<<<

I have read that the SAT is more commmonly given on the coasts, and the ACT is more commonly given in the center of the country. For that reason, both tests are accepted at colleges (every college I've ever spoken to HAVE accepted both.) One of the great benefits of homeschooling is that we can choose which test is right for OUR student, and they don't have to take the same test as their age-mates in school. I always recommend that students take a sample test in both and see which one they score best at, and then study for THAT test. They can raise their score more that way - and it can mean saving many thousands of dollars every year on tuition. I read a statistic that said 30% of kids score better on the SAT, 30% score better on the ACT, and 30% score the same on both tests. I found a link from Kaplan, that compares both tests for you. It also mentions that both tests are accepted by colleges:
http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/Article/College/SAT/Learn-About-the-SAT/CO_satact.html

I have heard that some colleges require the "optional essay" from the ACT. I would encourage her to use the test she scores better on - the SAT - but also make sure she does the essay on the exam. Some homeschoolers do have "just mommy grades" and do well. For those people, colleges use their SAT and ACT scores as external documentation of learning. If you have distance learning classes AND test scores AND homeschool grades, then you're doing more than enough. In my opinion, she will not be at a disadvantage at all. In fact, she will have the advantage! Way to go, Mom!

Blessings,
Lee

Kathi Kearney of Homeschoolers of Maine has a wonderful resource page you can check out for yourself. There are links for online courses in all high school subject areas that are available free of charge. The course information is toward the bottom of this page.

Find out more!

A comprehensive list of free online high school courses also available on the Hoagies Gifted Education Page.

Find out more!

Save It! Share It!

Don't get so wrapped up in the busy life of homeschooling and forget to make education fun! Success in life and success in college hinge on the same key ingredient: a love of learning. Here are some fun ideas for all ages - see if it will spark your imagination!

Ornithology for Every Age
If your children have an interest in ornithology, check out these great resources for a wide variety of ages. The Bird coloring book and unit study activities in these links provide lots of fun ideas that are free!
Free Bird Coloring Book
Free Ornithology Resources for grades 5-8 (adapts for K-12)

Fun for Teens with the Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all students age 14 and up. It involves setting goals in four program areas; Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you'd like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace - on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals. It has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge. It's a great long-term commitment that looks great on an Activity List during college applications. If your teen isn't already interested in something like team sports, theater, music, or scouting, this may be just the ticket!
Read about the Congressional Award

Literary Analysis with the Pemberly Ball
My son is a huge fan of Jane Austen, and started the "Pemberly Society" on his college campus. They had a huge Pemberly Ball at the college. Complete with period food and educational displays, many students came in full period costume. If you are interested in Jane Austen, or creating time period costumes, you will find information on my blog posts.
Homeschool Pemberly Ball Gowns