Homeschool or Not (elementary school, college, live)

[MadHaus]

I regret having to contradict another poster, but it is most definitely not a requirement that homeschoolers purchase SACS accredited "school in a box" programs in order to be admitted to 4 yr. colleges or universities. While I agree that in the OP's situation homeschooling is probably not the best choice, I would hate for others to forgo homeschooling due to some misinformation about college admissions.

I homeschooled my children K-12. We used a highly regarded school's program for one year only. After that we became what's commonly known as "unschoolers." Our unconventional approach to education did not pose a deterrent to our children's college and career aspirations whatsover. In fact, in every admissions interview my children were told by the interviewer that their motivation, self-direction and obvious love of learning made them very attractive candidates.

My children chose to apply for early admission to college and were accepted at multiple universities, both private and public. They chose to attend UAH because they liked specific programs offered there and they decided that they preferred to remain in AL. They were awarded several academic scholarships and graduated with honors.

Homeschooling required my husband and me to make many sacrifices, but the rewards far outweighed the costs. It's not a venture to enter into lightly, but requires a good deal of preparation and commitment. It is not for everyone, but can be a terrific option for some families.

AL is a unique state in which to homeschool, but if one takes time to research and learn the facts (& not distortions published by certain costly church sponsored umbrella programs) it becomes clear that AL actually provides a great environment for educational choice. We did not live in HSV while homeschooling, but I understand that there are a number of support groups that welcome newcomers.

[Ang_256]

Thank you all for you input to my question. I think I have made a decision as to what to do.

[deesonic]

Originally Posted by MadHaus

I regret having to contradict another poster, but it is most definitely not a requirement that homeschoolers purchase SACS accredited "school in a box" programs in order to be admitted to 4 yr. colleges or universities. While I agree that in the OP's situation homeschooling is probably not the best choice, I would hate for others to forgo homeschooling due to some misinformation about college admissions.

I don't know the circumstances of MadHaus' particular situation, but I can tell you that what I say is NOT misinformation. Accreditation DOES matter in most cases. These "school in a box" programs you speak of often have dubious accreditation. Many, if not most colleges will not accept a home school program that is not regionally accredited. Not necessarily SACS mind you, but some regional accreditation. We can argue the merits of home school vs. traditional classroom education, but the standard by which MOST colleges use for admittance is regional accreditation. Otherwise, GED and standardized test scores can be used for most 2-year schools and some other colleges.

I'm not talking out of my rear end. I worked in college admissions for several years. There may be exceptions to the rule, but for the vast majority of colleges regional accreditation is the standard. I can tell you first hand, that if your child walked into my office for admittance from a home school consortium that was not regionally accredited, we would not admit them. I can't speak for UAH as I did not work there. So parents, whatever your situation, do YOUR homework.

[JakeWilliams]

Originally Posted by deesonic

I don't know the circumstances of MadHaus' particular situation, but I can tell you that what I say is NOT misinformation. Accreditation DOES matter in most cases. These "school in a box" programs you speak of often have dubious accreditation. Many, if not most colleges will not accept a home school program that is not regionally accredited. Not necessarily SACS mind you, but some regional accreditation. We can argue the merits of home school vs. traditional classroom education, but the standard by which MOST colleges use for admittance is regional accreditation. Otherwise, GED and standardized test scores can be used for most 2-year schools and some other colleges.

I'm not talking out of my rear end. I worked in college admissions for several years. There may be exceptions to the rule, but for the vast majority of colleges regional accreditation is the standard. I can tell you first hand, that if your child walked into my office for admittance from a home school consortium that was not regionally accredited, we would not admit them. I can't speak for UAH as I did not work there. So parents, whatever your situation, do YOUR homework.

I'd like to know where you worked, if you would be willing to share.

From HSLDA.org:

Home School Legal Defense Association began working to improve this situation and helped amend the Higher Education Act of 1998, which now prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal funds from requiring homeschool students who seek federal financial aid to take a GED or an ability to benefit test.
This legislation ushered in a new era of acceptance of homeschool graduates and over time more and more colleges and universities began to embrace homeschool graduates.
In 2006, the overwhelming majority of colleges and universities now have either a dedicated homeschool admissions officer or a homeschool admissions policy. In fact, since many colleges have experienced the quality of homeschoolers they often actively pursue homeschooled students.

Also, please see this list of schools that are accepting of homeschoolers: HSLDA | Rating Colleges & Universities by their Home School Admission Policies

I can't say I've ever seen any kind of accreditation with any homeschools we've looked at in the Huntsville area. Are you saying that colleges won't accept any graduates of Huntsville area homeschools?

Jake

[deesonic]

Originally Posted by JakeWilliams

I'd like to know where you worked, if you would be willing to share.

From HSLDA.org:



Also, please see this list of schools that are accepting of homeschoolers: HSLDA | Rating Colleges & Universities by their Home School Admission Policies

I can't say I've ever seen any kind of accreditation with any homeschools we've looked at in the Huntsville area. Are you saying that colleges won't accept any graduates of Huntsville area homeschools?

Jake

No, I'm not saying that colleges won't accept graduates of ANY Huntsville area homeschools. I'm saying there may be special provisions for their admittance unless the consortium is SACS accredited. And some Huntsville area homeschool consortia are SACS accredited. I don't know them off the top of my head unfortunately.

And again, I'm just passing along information and making sure the OP has thought this all out thoroughly. I have no issues with homeschooling. My godson is homeschooled and he's brilliant. But I tell his parents the same thing I'm posting here about knowing the facts about college admittance for homeschooled children.

Now, I haven't worked in college admissions for over a year now and much may have changed since then. If you must know, I have worked at five different colleges over the years (four 4-year, 1 2-year). I will list them with their HSLDA rating based on the link Jake provided:

Jacksonville State University - Tier I (nearly 15 years ago when I worked in admissions as an undergraduate assistant)
University of Denver - Tier I (more than ten years ago since I worked there)
University of Georgia - not on HSLDA lists
Loyola College of Maryland - not on HSLDA lists
Calhoun Community College - not on HSLDA lists, but I don't see any 2-year schools on the list*

*As of summer 2008, Calhoun would NOT accept home school graduates if they were not from a regionally accredited program UNLESS the student successfully passed the GED and met the minimum score of a standardized test (ACT or SAT). They keep a list of regionally accredited programs in the admissions office. Call them if you want to check out accreditation of potential homeschool programs at 256-306-2500.

HSLDA's definitions (from the link posted above):

Tier I - "These colleges typically required a parent’s transcript, general standardized achievement testing, and/or the review of a portfolio of the potential student’s materials in place of an accredited diploma."

Tier II - "GED required in place of, or in addition to, any of the Tier I requirements."

Tier III - "Colleges who ask home schoolers to take extra standardized exams, and colleges requiring home schooled students to score higher than traditionally schooled students on standardized achievement tests or entrance exams."

Bottom line is, the vast majority of colleges and universities are NOT on those HSLDA lists at all. And furthermore, I would still double check with any colleges on that list to make sure the information is correct.

For fun, I decided to find all SEC schools and see how they handle homeschool grads. Let's see...

University of Alabama - Tier II
Auburn University - not on HSLDA lists
University of Arkansas - not on HSLDA lists
University of Florida - Tier III
University of Georgia - not on HSLDA lists
University of Kentucky - Tier I
Louisiana State University - not on HSLDA lists
University of Mississippi - not on HSLDA lists
Mississippi State University - not on HSLDA lists
University of South Carolina - Tier I
University of Tennessee - Tier II
Vanderbilt University - not on HSLDA lists

The SEC breaks down like this:

Tier I (the HSLDA standard) - 2 schools
Tier II (GED required) - 2 schools
Tier III (higher standardized test score req'd) - 1 school
not on lists (who knows?) - 7 schools

Here's a handful more state schools:
University of North Alabama - not on HSLDA lists
UAB - Tier I
Samford University - Tier I
University of South Alabama - not on HSLDA lists
UAH - Tier I
Alabama A&M - Tier I
Birmingham-Southern - Tier II
University of West Alabama - Tier II

That is all...

[CFOTOCEO]

So what did you decide to do, how is the process going?

[Ang_256]

I will let him stay in public school this year and see how it goes for the first semister. But, I am looking for a tutor to tutor him for at lease 3 days of the week for about 2 hours. I know this will be a little expensive but it is my childs education. So, I will cut back on spending, etc. to make sure this happen. Since my question we met with a homeschool program. I was inform that they have more and more kids doing homeschool and most of the kids go on to college like Alabama, Auburn, UAH, Georgia Tech and other shools. They are not required to take the graduation exam but they are required to take the ACT test and make a 18 or above. I did look at the work that these kids are doing and they are ahead of the public school system. So, I will try public school and see how it goes the first semister and if no change we will homeschool. For one of the above post, I went to school with my child and sat in the class with my child on several occasions. I don't think some of the teachers really liked it though.

[gsp4ever]

Originally Posted by Ang_256

I was inform that they have more and more kids doing homeschool and most of the kids go on to college like Alabama, Auburn, UAH, Georgia Tech and other shools. They are not required to take the graduation exam but they are required to take the ACT test and make a 18 or above.

Is the 18 on the ACT for graduation from the homeschool program (in lieu of the AL Graduation exam) or are you referring to being able to gain admission to universities listed above with an 18 ACT? This bar is set low, in my opinion.

You probably know this but an 18 is not a good score on the ACT. It is below both the ACT national average and AL state average score. There is little to no chance of being able to be admitted to schools like Auburn, Alabama and Georgia Tech with that type of score. At least, not these days. You might, *potentially* be able to gain conditional admission to UAH with an 18 but I doubt it. A student would have to have excellent grades and probably some exceptional circumstances to even have a chance. I'm not saying this because UAH is bad, but because UAH is smaller and more enrollment driven than those other schools. In other words, you could plead your case there more effectively.

Hopefully, all will work out this year in the public school system. I think that is a better plan for now.

[Southlander]

My niece has been homeschooled by her mother for 3 years now, and just graduated from high school. She wants to go into nursing and has applied at Wallace State, but is having to study for and take a phlanx of tests - not sure what they are, but apparently Wallace State did not automatically accept her homeschooling diploma.

[Ang_256]

gsp4ever, thank you for your support. We are going to work hard this year.