Book Club Discussion Outline for The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens by Debra Bell
As we discuss Part V: The High School Years; Chapter 12: The Four Year Plan, keep in mind that going to college is one of
many paths to pursuing a career. Options include:
1.
College/University
2.
Community College
3.
Trade/Technical
School
4.
Military Training
5.
Apprenticeship
Programs
6.
Work
Why it’s important to give your
child a college-prep education even if there are no plans for college:
2.
If high school is your
child’s highest level of education, you want it to be as challenging and
rewarding as possible.
Based on this reasoning, we will be
taking a look at the high school years from the perspective of what a College
Prep Curriculum (CPC) looks like in the state of Georgia.
Remember, the Georgia Department of
Education (GADOE) sets no specific homeschool requirements for promotion from
one grade to the next or for high school graduation.
Does the law specify any promotion requirements, testing or
record keeping by the home study program?
|
The
law does not specify any promotion requirements.
However, it does stipulate that an "appropriate" nationally
standardized testing program be administered in consultation with a person
trained in the administration and interpretation of norm-referenced tests.
The law further states that the student must be evaluated at least every
three years, beginning at the end of third grade. Nationally-normed
assessments must be given at the end of grades 3, 6, 9, and 12. Additionally,
the records of such tests must be retained for three years.
There are, however, requirements for
homeschool students entering into the public school system. We will discuss
those requirements another time.
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Since GADOE doesn’t specifically use
the word “graduation” in this answer, let’s ask HSLDA about graduation
requirements for Georgia homeschoolers:
Daniel
with HSLDA: “Georgia, like most states in the U.S., does not have
specific high school graduation requirements for homeschoolers. GA law only
requires that the home school include a basic academic educational program that
includes, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, math, social studies,
and science. See Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-690(c)(4) and HSLDA: Georgia: Legal Analysis PDF. As long as these and the other requirements of the GA
homeschool law are met, a homeschool parent is free to set the requirements
their child must meet before the parent will give the child a high school
diploma.” 2013-2014 School Year.
So, for
example, although I will be sharing about needing 4 science credits for high
school graduation, this recommendation is based on a CPC plan and not on any
state requirements for homeschoolers.
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We have to do our best to understand our children's' unique personalities,
learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. Taking all of this into consideration will help us to meet their educational needs.
Evaluations are ongoing as our
children are constantly maturing and changing, and they are continually being
introduced to new subject matter. How are they handling this? Are they
struggling with fractions? Enjoying essay writing? Loving a good book? Overwhelmed
by science? These are the types of things to seriously consider as we prepare for each
upcoming school year. Ask yourself, “What kind of child do I have?” Not the ideal
child, but the real child. Answer honestly; it’s in the best interest of
your child.
Questions to Consider
Depending on how early you begin
your planning, it's important to lay out 2 or 3 potential tracks to
follow. Of course, you'll narrow it down as your child gets older. Before
exploring different tracks, Mrs. Debra Bell suggests answering the following
questions:
1. What is his preferred learning
style?
2. In what areas does he show the
greatest effort and interest?
3. In what areas are his strengths?
4. In what areas does he need your
greatest involvement?
5. In what subject areas does he already
have a good foundation?
6. In what subject areas does he
still need to do fundamental work?
Keep all of this in mind as you
begin formulating a plan.
As we
look at a “Four Year Plan” based on CPC, we will see that although there are
graduation requirements to be met, there is still a great deal of flexibility
that we have. We will see this flexibility when we look at various Math &
Science tracks that we can choose from as well as different core courses, electives and curricula that are
available to us. So rest assured that even within the CPC there are many paths
to choose from. God has a unique plan for each of our unique children, and He
will show us the way! He will lead us! We must acknowledge
Him; seek His wisdom and guidance, and He will direct our paths.
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FIRST, let’s take a look at the Board of Regents of the University System of
Georgia (USG) PDF titled “Staying on Course.” Last Revised: February 28, 2014
English 4
-Literature (American, English, World) integrated with grammar, usage and advanced composition skills.
Math 4
-Algebra I and II, Geometry and a fourth year of advanced math, or equivalent courses*
Science 4
The four science units should include two courses with a laboratory component. Georgia public high school graduates should have at least
one unit in Biology,
one unit of physical science or physics,
one unit of chemistry, earth systems, environmental science, or an advanced placement course, and a fourth science. **
Social Science 3
Must include one unit focusing on US studies and one unit focusing on world studies
Foreign Language 2
(or American Sign Language)
Must be two units of the same foreign language (or American Sign Language) emphasizing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
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SECOND, we’re going to take a look at what University of Georgia (UGA) requires “For students who are Home Educated.” Afterall, they're “Top Dog” within the University System of Georgia. As of March 11, 2014:
As of March 2014: UGA>Homeschool Admissions>CPC:
English 4 Units of credit
Mathematics 4
-Algebra I & II and Geometry
-One math course beyond Algebra II
Science 4
-Biology/Life Science with lab
-Physical Science with lab
-One chemistry/earth science
-One science elective
Social Studies 3
-United States History
-World History
-One Social Studies elective
Foreign Language 2
-two sequential years of the same language
UGA: “Per the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG), students who are home educated or who attend a non-accredited high school must satisfy certain criteria in order to be considered for admission to any public two- or four-year college or university in Georgia. Each USG institution is permitted to require additional information to determine the academic preparation as well as the competitiveness of an applicant for admission."
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THIRD, let's take a look at what Georgia College Admissions Officers are looking at for Homeschoolers:
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FOURTH, let's look at what the
GADOE Graduation Requirements are. I know some leaders in the homeschool community say to look at what the colleges want and not the state, but the colleges are only showing me 17 units that are required and for the state of Georgia you need 23 units for a "College Prep Curriculum." I'm looking at what
everybody wants! I'm looking at
the big picture!
On
page 3 you can see the required courses:
You'll notice:
1. CTAE and/or Modern Language/Latin and/or Fine Arts (3 units)
2. Health and Physical Education and (1 unit)
3. Four Electives (4 units)
are part of the DOE's requirements. 2 of the 3 units from #1 will likely be Foreign Language since that's what the colleges want and what is considered to be part of a CPC.
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FINALLY, getting even more local, at the county level, let's look at what the
Graduation Requirements are for Collins Hill High School. You'll notice that the requirements are the same as the state requirements. Check out this page (
Gwinnett County Public Schools) to find a high school in your area, and see what more you can learn. I find all sorts of information on different websites. The more you explore, the more you discover!
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*Now that we've looked at the BIG PICTURE, let's put all of this information together!!!*
So based on CPC requirements from the USG, UGA, most other Georgia Colleges, the GADOE and schools at the county level, the following courses would be an example of what a College Prep Transcript would include. This list of courses is not exhaustive. Remember to check the USG "Staying on Track" PDF for a list of courses to choose from. You can also look at the GADOE Excel document that lists course numbers and course descriptions. (Both of these documents are linked to above.)
Example of what a College Prep Transcript may include:
Language Arts
9th Grade Lit/Comp (1)
Elements of Literature/Comp (1)
American Lit/Comp (1)
British Lit/Comp (1)
Mathematics
Algebra I (1)
Geometry (1)
Algebra II (1)
Fourth Math (Pre-Calculus or Statistics) (1)
Science
Physical Science or Physics (1)
Biology with Lab (1)
Chemistry with Lab (1)
Fourth Science (Physics, Marine Bio, Human Anatomy, Forensics, etc.) (1)
Social Studies
U.S. History (1)
World History (1)
American Government (.5)
Economics (.5)
Health (.5)
Physical Education (.5)
Foreign Language (2 sequential years of same language)
Spanish I (1)
Spanish II (1)
Fine Arts or Third year of Foreign Language (1)
Electives
Elective #1 (1)
Elective #2 (1)
Elective #3 (1)
Elective #4 (1)
Total Credits: (23)
