Sponsored by PBC Homeschoolers, Inc . pbchomeschoolers.com HOMESCHOOLING HIGH SCHOOL
This material was presented at the PBC Homeschoolers’ Homeschool Fair, July 31, 2019 Questions? Contact us at pbchomeschoolers.com or better yet, come to one of our meetings for support in your homeschooling journey or exploration
Cheryl Trzasko Former classroom teacher PBC Homeschoolers support group leader Public, Private, Dept. of Defense Dependents Schools since 2009 Taught from 6 th to 12 th grades Homeschool evaluator since 2003 Current FL certification in Math, grades 5-9 and grades 6- 12 Homeschool consultant Previous DoD certified to teach Helped homeschoolers get into colleges Science — general middle & high school, biology, chemistry, including Stanford physics University of Chicago college admissions Math — middle & high school committee alumnae interviewer 7.5 years Computer science SAT prep instructor Recruited to teach at FAU Previously for Sylvan and Club Z! Homeschooled own children from start to college privately Was homeschooled herself for some elementary years
BIG QUESTIONS? Do homeschoolers get into college? What documentation should be kept? Will a homeschooled student get a diploma? What are the graduation requirements? What materials must be used? How are credits calculated? What should be in a transcript? And more….
A FEW QUICK ANSWERS Do homeschoolers get into college? Yes! Will a homeschooled student get a diploma? If you give one! What materials must be used? You choose And more answers to come….
College Admissions Meet basic requirements Want successful graduates Self-starters Set out to do something and do it Want diverse campus Not just racially and ethnically Also in terms of interests, passions, ideas Homeschoolers can excel in showing passion, success, diversity
HOMESCHOOLING HIGH SCHOOL VERSUS OTHER GRADE LEVELS No Change Different Will likely want to keep extra documentation Laws Required Home Education Documentation Course Descriptions Letter of Intent (if starting out) Transcripts Portfolios Time spent on various subjects Evaluations Volunteering documentation Letter of Termination (when done) And eventually… Teach what works for your child Diploma Affidavit of Completion Use materials of your choice
HOMESCHOOLING OPTIONS HIGH SCHOOL Recommendation: “Umbrella School” Home Education Stick with same option for final 2 years of high Public school participation options Legally private school students school Tiny private schools — more options Interscholastic extracurricular Rules vary Sports Might keep or help with records Marching Band Dual enrollment Clubs: e.g., Robotics T eam, etc. Private colleges — fees Right to take tests Public colleges Dual Enrollment May not allow umbrella school students Public colleges — free Articulation agreement needed “Diploma mills” concern
High school Graduation Requirements Follow Public school requirements 4. Compulsory attendance to age 16 1. See link below Can graduate earlier if going 18- or 24-credit tracks and others on to educational program College entrance requirements 2. Career or Other requirements Justifiable? Reasonable? Good! 3. Fldoe.org/academics/graduation-requirements
TRANSCRIPTS Summary of high school May be needed Colleges Scholarships Job applications Eligibility for extracurriculars
TRANSCRIPTS Summary of high school Identifying information Classes Name • • Simple • Consider public school titles Credit earned • • Grade earned Test scores • ACT • SAT PERT • • AP CLEP and so on • GPA Awards
TRANSCRIPTS: BEST FORMAT? Samples online Schools use various formats NO best option •
TRANSCRIPTS: MAKE IT OFFICIAL Official transcripts • Say “Official Transcript” • Might require notarized certification statement • Might need to be in sealed envelope with parent signature across flap
TRANSCRIPTS: MAKE IT ACCEPTED Make it seem acceptable • Proofread • No spelling errors • Consistent spacing and formatting • Organized • One to two pages
High School Course TitlesH Florida Department of Education’s list of course titles and course numbers Not required to use this list Can be useful See options Get ideas Make documents readily understood by FL schools and colleges Fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7746/urlt/1920CCD-Basic9-12.pdf
60 page list ! FL DOE 9-12 COURSE LIST CLEP Exam Options Test to earn credit High school credit Perhaps college credit later Must enroll in college Must be accepted by that college Must score high enough Required score varies by college
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AP • AP is trademarked • Cannot use without approval • See their website for approval process if interested • Can take AP exams • With OR without AP course • List on transcript
High School Credits One credit=one year-long high school class 2/3-3/4 textbook for a yearlong high school class Hours: 120-150 hrs. = One credit; 60-90 hrs = ½ credit Scope and Sequence of a high school class Testing such as CLEP Dual enrollment courses: One semester college course may equal one high school credit See official list on site below Fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5421/urlt/AcademicList1920.pdf
Dual Enrollment High schoolers (or even middle schoolers) can take college classes Could be FREE Rules vary by college for admissions and policies Can take in-person or online classes Many homeschoolers use dual enrollment to get free college credits, even AA degree Homeschoolingagain.wordpress.com/2018/12/20/dual- enrollment-starting-college-in-high-school
Out of the Box Credits Unschooling? Create your own class without a high school textbook? Unit studies? These and more are possible in high school. Document it! Hint: Consider some activities extracurricular. Just for fun. Colleges want to see those .
Grades & GPA Weighted vs. Not weighted Percents versus Letter grades Pluses and minuses? Or simple letter grades? Holistically — based on overall performance, learning and/or effort Don’t overthink it. Admissions Officers like grades to put in boxes. Make them happy. Grades won’t be taken too seriously unless bad. Test scores, recommendation letters, will be considered more.
Affidavit of Completion Proof of high school graduation On transcript or separate document Florida colleges have forms or make your own Example: “I, <parent’s name>, parent of <student’s name> do hereby certify that <student name> has graduated from high school through a home education program in accordance with Florida law (FL s. 1002.41)” with parent’s signature and date and a notary public’s signature and seal. Florida law requires state colleges to accept a parent’s signed Affidavit of Completion as proof of high school graduation.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Copy titles, numbers, credits as on transcript Books or Resources used Description of topics covered Any notable projects, activities, awards, etc. Mention if taken elsewhere: FLVS, college, co-op, etc. May not need Send to colleges only if asked Helps show quality of courses
Diploma Pretty certificate Parent who is directing a child’s homeschooling has the right to issue a diploma Make your own — adapt a certificate on word processing program, or 1. Purchase one, or 2. Attend a support group graduation ceremony, such as PBC Homeschoolers, or 3. the huge one by FPEA in Orlando in May at Homeschool Convention Florida law requires state colleges to accept a parent’s signed Affidavit of Completion as proof of high school graduation.
VOLUNTEER HOURS Floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf th grade onward End of 8 Scholarships — including bright futures College admissions/employment Can submit to district for verification After financial aid application account has been set up
VOLUNTEER HOURS Floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf Keep record of nonprofit organization name, • date(s) served with hours, • type of service performed • Organization’s representative must sign • Bright Futures gives a list of acceptable types of service for their scholarship. Worked for free for a profit business? Doesn’t count as community service. But could be an internship if enough time put in.
Sponsored by PBC Homeschoolers, Inc . pbchomeschoolers.com Q & A
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