High School Equivalency Exam

World Wide Web Links | 1/6/05 | Kevin O'Malley

[Kevin OMalley]

I've been getting asked more and more about my position that high school is a waste of time and my recommendation for parents to give their children a choice to skip high school. This is in response to the liberal agendas now prevalent in high schools as well as the simple fact that such a strategy would give kids a 4 year head start on their peers. Below are some useful links for investigating this option. I will repost my own experience under that.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/school/equivexam.html

UCB Parents Advice about School Taking the High School Equivalency Exam Advice and recommendations from the UCB Parents mailing list. This page is brought to you by UC Berkeley Parents Network Back to: Advice about School & Preschool --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How does GED differ from CHSPE? What's an R-4 Affadavit? 16-year-old wants to drop out & take the GED

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sp/documents/faq.pdf

California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs

http://www.hsc.org/chaos/teens/tests.php

Tests (CHSPE and GED) By Wes Beach Tests provide a limited means of measuring test-taking ability and maybe other things. Don't let them be any kind of measure of who your kids are. They can, however, serve important practical purposes such as high school completion or college admissions and credit.

There are two tests by means of which to earn a high-school-diploma-equivalent certificate: the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) and the General Educational Development (GED). The CHSPE has a narrower focus and tests skills and knowledge in reading, math, writing, and language. The GED includes these areas and also tests in science and social studies. Opinions vary about which test is more difficult, and different perceptions probably arise from kids with different strengths. The GED is more widely known and may be more readily accepted, although it is a myth that the CHSPE Certificate is unacceptable outside California.

In California (different states have different rules), anyone 18 or older can take the GED, and there are exceptions for somewhat younger people under some circumstances. It is administered by adult education schools in public school districts and is offered frequently. Contact your local adult school for information on the GED or call the GED Office at the California Department of Education at (800) 331-6316.

The CHSPE may be taken by anyone who, on the day of the exam, is 16 or older, or has finished the tenth grade, or is enrolled in the second semester of the tenth grade. This exam is offered two or three times a year at test sites throughout the state. CHSPE information bulletins can be found at high schools and libraries or at http://www.chspe.net/. For questions not answered in the bulletin, call (866) 342-4773. There is a great deal of misinformation about the CHSPE floating around, especially within the public schools. Check the official bulletin to confirm anything you hear. A student who passes the CHSPE still has the right to attend public high school if desired.

If a CHSPE or GED certificate is to be used for admission to college, entering the military, specific job requirements, etc., be sure to check at the source (the colleges, the military, the employer, etc.) regarding their policies.

Preparation books for these exams can be found in bookstores and libraries.

The College Board/Educational Testing Service offers a number of exams that can support college admission and/or can lead to college credit:

The PSAT, a shortened version of SAT I, is usually taken by high school juniors. If a student is in high school at the time he takes this test, he is automatically entered into the National Merit Scholarship competition. The PSAT is administered by high schools on their campuses; non-enrolled students may be allowed to take the test. Contact local high schools. SAT I (possibly along with SAT II) may be required for admission to four-year colleges and universities. There are two parts to SAT I: verbal—analogies, sentence completions, and critical reading questions—and math at the high school college preparatory level. The SAT's (I & II) are given at test sites throughout the state; sites are listed in the application booklet (see below). SAT II is a set of separate tests on high school subjects—world history, chemistry, French, etc. Advanced Placement: Colleges often grant credit for sufficiently high scores on AP exams. These exams are final exams in college-level classes taught in high school and are given at high schools at the end of the courses; students who have not taken the courses may be allowed to take the exams. Colleges also grant credit for good scores on CLEP exams. These exams are generally easier than AP exams, are given at test centers throughout the state, and cover the content of more than thirty college-level courses. ACT (formerly American College Testing) offers the ACT, a somewhat broader college admission test that colleges may use instead of or in addition to the SAT. The ACT consists of four sections: English, math, reading, and science. Even when SAT/ACT scores aren't required, they provide one way (there are others) to demonstrate academic ability and acquired knowledge in the absence of a traditional transcript. It may be possible to gain admission to the schools your kids choose through testing alone, and impressive test scores always add strength to a college application. Just as in the case with the SAT/ACT, good scores on AP and/or CLEP exams can support a college application. Check carefully with colleges of interest for their policies regarding credit. Classes that prepare students for these tests may be offered by high schools, adult schools, community colleges, and private companies.

Guides and preparation materials can be found in libraries and bookstores. Explanatory and application materials from the College Board and ACT can be found at high schools, colleges, and libraries, and also can be obtained directly from the College Board at (510) 873-8000 or at http://www.collegeboard.org; SAT tests will be changing within the next few years. To keep informed of those changes, check the website http://www.collegeboard.com/about/newsat/newsat.html. Information about the ACT can be obtained at (916) 631-9200 or at http://www.act.org. Information on the GED is available at http://www.acenet.edu/calec/ged.

http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000064.htm

College Confidential: Does CHSPE = GED?

Question: When colleges say that they accept GEDs, what does that mean for the CHSPE? Do they accept that credential as a high school diploma? If not, what should I do?

At the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) Web site (www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/chspe) you can find an Information Bulletin and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CHSPE. California law states that the Certificate of Proficiency provided to students who pass the CHSPE is equivalent to a high school diploma. In other words, institutions that are subject to California law and that require a high school diploma must also accept the CHSPE. (However, the Certificate of Proficiency is not equivalent to completing all course work required for regular graduation from high school.)

Therefore, if you've received the CHSPE Certificate of Proficiency, your certificate would be equivalent to a high school diploma. The Certificate of Proficiency is not equivalent to completing all course work required for regular graduation from high school in California. However--and this is a good caveat for most general college-entrance-related questions--you should always check with the admissions offices (or admissions sections of the Web sites) of those colleges to which you are considering applying. This is especially important if you're interested in colleges and universities outside of California that may not accept the CHSPE or may not even be familiar with it.

[Indy Pendance]

You should go to the local JR college, or even a regular college and talk to the counselors there (take your parent along too). They can hook you up with what you need to do, like take a GED exam or whatever is required. Most will give you an appointment, so call ahead and ask. Consider starting college, you can take all the electives you need and fulfill your college degree, and you'll have more fun with those classes anyway. You are well spoken and articulate for a 15 year old. Welcome aboard!

[Kevin OMalley]

Refer to post #59. It sounds like Texas is a good state for that kind of thing. Please let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

[Max Combined]

For one thing, Texas does not have nearly so many laws of any sort as does California.

Texas does nothing to regulate home schoolers. We never had any contact with any school or state authorities during the entire time we homeschooled our daughter from third grade until she went to community college at fifteen.

Texas considers home schoolers to be a private school. There is almost no regulation on private schools either. My wife teaches at a school associated with a church now and they just teach the kids without any trouble from the state.

In your case, since you are enrolled in now high school, it seem like it would be hard for you to now claim to be homeschooled. Many high school students enroll in community college classes and get both college credits and high school credits. You might want to do that. You also might want to talk to the admissions person at the community college that you want to attend to see what your options are at this point.

In any case, you need the cooperation of your parents, so I would advise you to talk to your parents about what you want to do and see if you cannot get yourself enrolled in a college.

[scripter]

Interesting thread bump and ping.

[Max Combined]

Texas Homeschooling Laws  
by Debbie Evans ©    

If you live in Texas, you are in the BEST state in the union for homeschooling! Just turn around three times, click your heels together, and say "My homeschool is a private school."

That's right! In Texas, homeschools are considered private schools. As such, they are not regulated in any way by the state! (Did you know that Texas private schools are completely unregulated? I'd bet some families spending a lot of money on private schools would be surprised to know that.)

Texas law basically states that as long as your school doesn't take state money, then the state cannot tell you what to do with your school. Homeschools and private schools are treated the same.

The state constitution clearly designates state powers to public schools only. Therefore, homeschooling is protected by the state constitution and has always been legal and unregulated. That hasn't stopped some of the school districts from trying to impose upon homeschoolers, however. So, in 1987, a group of homeschooling families filed a lawsuit against the Arlington Independent School District. The result was a three-measure standard that makes a Texas homeschool legal. This standard was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in 1994. So what's a Texas homeschool?

	Bona Fide -- Education should be occurring in a good faith manner, using a...
	Curriculum -- Formal or informal, from any source, including video and computer or internet-based instruction, and teaching the following...
	Required Subjects -- reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship (although there is no standard as to how these subjects should be taught).

That's it. There's no filing with the school district, no testing, no fees, no nothing!

The best part is that you are not required to prove that you are doing any of the above things!  Click here to read the letter from the Commissioner of Education to the Texas school districts concerning homeschooling. 

If parents are withdrawing their children from public school to teach them at home, they should "officially" withdraw the child from the school. You are not required to "get approval", sign any forms, or provide any information about your home school. 

If the school hassles you, the best response is to say, "If you will submit to me in writing what you want, I'll be glad to respond, according to state law and TEA guidelines." When (if) this request is given in writing, the parent should send a simple letter of assurance.  A sample is given below.: 

"This letter is to assure you that we have a curriculum that covers the basic areas of reading, spelling, grammar, math and a course in good citizenship. We are pursuing it in a bona fide manner. If you have any further questions please submit them to us in writing." 

Please note, that only a few schools have attempted to cause trouble for homeschooling parents. Do not go into the situation assuming you will have a difficult time. Many schools are understanding and aware of homeschooling in Texas, even if they do not necessarily agree with the choice.

You can keep as detailed or as relaxed records as you wish. If your children have college in their future, you will want to keep more detailed records for that purpose.

Speaking of older students, what about high school graduation?

Texas private schools set their own standards for graduation! That means you too. If your children plan to attend college, then take a look at what your prospective colleges require in the way of high school credits and plan accordingly. The good news is that ALL of the major colleges and universities are actively recruiting homeschoolers because they tend to do very well in college studies.

The following high school graduation plan complies with TEA standards. These are to be used as a guideline only (if you desire). For more info about homeschooling high school students, click here.

19-24 credits. Public schools base their credits on the following:
150-180 hours equals 1 credit or 1 year of study.

	English/Language Arts -- 4 credits
	Social Studies -- 3 1/2 credits World History (1), World Geography (1), US History (since reconstruction) (1), US Government (1/2)
	Economics -- 1/2 credit
	Math -- 3 credits Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. If your child's major is related to a "math field" include a 4th credit of Trig, Calculus, or other advanced math.
	Science -- 3 credits Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
	Health Education -- 1/2 credit
	Physical Education -- 1 1/2 credits
	Foreign Language -- 2 credits (level 1 and 2 of same language) International Sign Language is now readily accepted
	Fine Arts -- 1 credit
	Speech -- 1/2 credit

BACK

[Max Combined]

Lots more information from the site where the other information comes from:

http://www.texashomeschoolers.com/txhs.htm

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

In the fifties they had 3 types of GED, HS, two years college and four year college.

[WOSG]

My way to accelerate was to take enough AP courses so that I was able to get a BS and a Masters in 4 years of College.

[WOSG]

A woman who taught in my school wrote a book about her experience, titled "My Posse Don't Do Homework". It became a hit movie: "Dangerous Minds" with Michelle Pfeiffer.

----

That sounds like a curse - "may you end up in a school that is fodder for a Hollywood movie".

Hollywood would never make a movie about the modest Christian private school that ably teaches our children (in 2nd and 4th grade now) the basics in reading, writing, math, etc., Bible, in a good environment. The only thing Hollywood would find interesting is that there are children from many ethnic backgounds; ah, but almost all are from Christian homes.

[WOSG]

Um, not quite:

Conservatives are good on issues like the death penalty and taxes and drug laws and freedom of speech issues and foreign policy and Government spending and separation of church and state and how much say the men in black should have on such matters.

Liberals are good on issues like ... dog leash laws and neighborhood recycling programs. NOTHING MORE.

[Kevin OMalley]

I'm aware of the AP path, they had some of those classes in my high school. The quality of each program varies from school to school. But it doesn't really make as much sense as outright skipping 4 years of drudgery and getting on with the real work ahead.

One kid I knew took enough courses to supposedly qualify with sophomore standing when he graduated, assuming he passed all of the challenge tests. But if he had spent 4 years working at a college level he would have had much more than sophomore standing.

If you got a Masters & Bachelors & High School in 8 years, think of what you could have accomplished if you could have started college earlier.

For a typical advanced kid, those extra 3 years of schooling are difficult to swallow, and even just looking at starting salaries (with no raises), one would be $90k ahead of one's peers at a starting salary of $30k. If half of that $90k were put into savings, the kid might have over $300k in 30 years.

http://partners.financenter.com/choosetosave/calculate/us-eng/savings02.fcs

Amount you have invested $45000
Your savings rate % 4
Additional deposits $ 10,000
Yearly
Years invested 30
Your federal tax rate 25.00 %
Your state tax rate 6.80 %
Inflation rate 3.0%

In 30 years, your investment will be worth $330,376.

That's just looking at it from the financial side. The kid would certainly also bypass 4 years worth of liberal lunacy, which is worth more than $300k in my book.

[WOSG]

"I'm aware of the AP path, they had some of those classes in my high school. The quality of each program varies from school to school. But it doesn't really make as much sense as outright skipping 4 years of drudgery and getting on with the real work ahead. "

One way it makes sense is financially, ie, if you cant afford college. I got 26 credits, effectively a year of college, at a competitive school, and I didnt have to pay any tuition for it. My family couldnt afford to pay much for my college.

The other thing to do is to simply skip the lower grades, so you graduate younger without necessarily dropping out. e.g.
I graduated at age 17, having taken advanced calculus (BC), AP physics, AP chemisty, AP history, AP english, AP french, by then.


"If you got a Masters & Bachelors & High School in 8 years, think of what you could have accomplished if you could have started college earlier."

Doing that much was geeky enough, accelerating further might have been better financially on a spreadsheet, but it can leave you socially 'underdeveloped'. I was overloading on studies as it was and while I'm smart I'm no Steven Hawking.

Looking back, I got enough out of high school that I wouldnt want to skip them ... rather, I'd skip 8th grade.

[Kevin OMalley]

Doing that much was geeky enough, accelerating further might have been better financially on a spreadsheet, but it can leave you socially 'underdeveloped'.
***I keep hearing that and I think it's just plain untrue. Some of the source material posted in this thread directly contraverts that claim. As far as I can tell, it's an old wives' tale relied upon to keep kids in underperforming schools.


Looking back, I got enough out of high school that I wouldnt want to skip them ... rather, I'd skip 8th grade.
***I would skip that year as well. When I was told about the CHSPE, I spent 3 days thinking about it and then made my decision, and quit going to high school right then. I was in the local community college the next semester. When you look at it that way, I only willingly spent about 3 days at high school. I do feel strongly that kids should be given a choice for themselves. There's nothing more "socially developed" than a person who exercises a choice and takes on a more challenging course than the path currently provided.

[Kevin OMalley]

I'm struck by how much of what is required in high school is forced to be retaken in college.






19-24 credits. Public schools base their credits on the following:
150-180 hours equals 1 credit or 1 year of study. English/Language Arts -- 4 credits
***Partially building on writing skills but English is still a requirement.

Social Studies -- 3 1/2 credits
***Waste of time, required to take again in college.

World History (1), World Geography (1), US History (since reconstruction) (1), US Government (1/2)
***Waste of time, required to take again in college.

Economics -- 1/2 credit
***Interesting. I don't think that's a requirement in most colleges.

Math -- 3 credits
Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. If your child's major is related to a "math field" include a 4th credit of Trig, Calculus, or other advanced math.
***I'm glad to see this requirement getting pushed. Many folks freak out in college when they see that Trig is going to be a requirement. I don't think this stuff is a waste of time, even though the expression is true: "you'll hardly ever use algebra in real life".


Science -- 3 credits
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
***No waste of time here.

Health Education -- 1/2 credit
***Waste of time, required to take again in college.

Physical Education -- 1 1/2 credits
***Waste of time, required to take again in college.

Foreign Language -- 2 credits (level 1 and 2 of same language)
***One of the only things that actually counts towards credits in California. Not necessarily a waste of time.

International Sign Language is now readily accepted
***Fascinating

Fine Arts -- 1 credit
***Probably a waste of time.

Speech -- 1/2 credit
******Partially building on a skillset but speech is still a requirement in college. Certainly a strong skill to develop for career building.



By my count, that's about 7 units of credit/time wasted, more than a thousand hours that could be recouped just by taking the same courses at a college level.

[Kevin OMalley]

From another thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1361554/posts?page=65#65


Good response, ladylib...



To: ladylib
"Homeschool them and let them go to college when they're 14. "
***I agree with homeschooling, but not everyone has the wherewithal to do it. What is your provision for those who can't afford it, other than the standard browbeating of parents that they don't care enough for their children? Here's an example thread:

On the 'sin' of sending kids to public school
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1362311/posts

Interestingly, your prior response in #30 contains the seeds of the conundrum that kids face today, namely that the moment they can pass the equivalency test they are wasting their time in high school.




Thread 30: "More schools are also shifting attention to the standardized testing or the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests."

Ladylib: I think this is the real reason. Gotta study for those high-stakes tests, and the more academic courses you take, the better you'll do.



With your permission, I'd like to copy your response over on my other thread.



64 posted on 03/17/2005 5:42:56 PM PST by Kevin OMalley (No, not Freeper#95235, Freeper #1165: Charter member, What Was My Login Club.)
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---

To: Kevin OMalley
"***I agree with homeschooling, but not everyone has the wherewithal to do it. What is your provision for those who can't afford it, other than the standard browbeating of parents that they don't care enough for their children?

Browbeating????!!!! How dare You! LOL!

I would never, ever browbeat or even question a parent who chooses not to homeschool their children. I would never question an educational choice -- even a relative's. Homeschooling certainly isn't for everyone. It's not for parents who are not particularly fond of their children (although they may love them, you really have to like your kids to put up with them all day), and it's not for parents who know in their hearts they would just botch it up. In fact, it's not feasible for a lot of parents for a lot of reasons. That said, I, myself, am not happy with today's public schools for any number of reasons, and I sometimes do wonder why parents are willing to send their kids to public school.

However, many parents are very happy with their children's school (some of my relatives and friends, for instance) and many students are very happy to attend them. I also have relatives and friends who think homeschooling is for people who live in the backwoods, worship with snakes, marry their cousins, and sit around the kitchen table all day. They still might not want their children to go to the local public school, however, so they're willing to pay $12,000 a year in private school tuition. Choice is great!

I think it's fantastic that kids can start college at 14 if they are bright enough and they choose to do so. Why should they be held back? Many kids today just want to move on. They don't want another four years. Why can't they go to work, apprentice, take on-line courses at their convenience, start their own businesses, or go to the vocational school of their choice? Is it because we don't want kids from 14 - 18 on the streets or taking jobs from older workers? I think that's probably it. It's all about control.

Schools are cutting recess, electives, gym, art, music -- because they think that it takes too much time from test preparation. School officials are running scared. No Child Left Behind is throwing them for a loop. Their jobs are on the line -- finally. If enough kids don't pass their high-stakes tests, that could be the end of their careers. They need those kids to pull the fat from the fire. A lot of students don't do well -- and the reason they don't do well is because they are victims of poor curriculum and teaching practices, in my opionion. The chickens have come home to roost. It's make or break time for public schools -- I give them another two or three years to figure it out because every day, there are more and more options.

You can use my response.



65 posted on 03/17/2005 7:09:02 PM PST by ladylib
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[Kevin OMalley]

Bill Gates has declared American high schools "obsolete."





Public education isn't preparing teens

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1367344/posts?page=22#22



The Washington Times ^ | 3-21-05 | Michael Smith


Posted on 03/21/2005 11:12:45 AM PST by JZelle


Bill Gates has declared American high schools "obsolete." In a Feb. 26 speech to the National Education Summit on High Schools, he said "our high schools — even when they're working exactly as designed — cannot teach our kids what they need to know today." These criticisms are not new, but the fact that America's most successful businessman is concerned about how America will survive in a world that requires educated workers should cause people to take notice. Mr. Gates went on to say he was "terrified for our work force of tomorrow."


(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050320-092252-1935r.htm

[Kevin OMalley]

Hi Dawn53:

That was a good post over at that other thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1399251/posts

Skipped gym class costs student diploma
Times Leader/AP Wire ^ | 5/8/2005


Posted on 05/08/2005 6:47:15 PM PDT by Born Conservative


BOW, N.H. - A decision to take Advanced Placement biology instead of gym will cost a Bow High School senior her diploma, but it won't keep her from going to college in the fall.

Though Isabel Gottlieb is a good student, a trumpet player in the school band and holds varsity letters in three sports, she discovered last fall she was one gym class shy of having enough credits to graduate next month.....

[Kevin OMalley]

Well said on another thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1433891/posts?page=35#4
Voucher: Solution or Flawed Compromise ?
FEE ^ | 6/30/05 | Robert Parker



To: cinives
The answer is to require very limited testing twice a year for any student's school to receive the payment (and allow an option of only testing once a year, if the school is willing to wait a whole year to get any payment). Testing should be limited to math, reading/spelling/vocabulary/grammar, facts-only physical science, and possibly some very basic facts-only material on how government works (like the existence of federal and state senates and houses of representatives, governors, a President, etc. -- since a huge number of public school grads haven't a clue about this stuff). No room for political or religious issues, keep the tests to between 1-2 hours depending on age/grade level, and keep the questions and grading to a strictly right-or-wrong answer format. Have the tests administered at many convenient locations, administered by people who have no vested interest in the economics of the system, and who have no information about which students are attending which schools.

Set the standards to approximately the current 50th percentile of public school students, and once kids pass the twelfth grade level (even if they do it when they're 10 years old, which wouldn't be uncommon for a lot homeschooled kids), let them get their vouchers until they're 18, without any further testing. This system would allow homeschoolers, and little neighborhood private schools run by a mom or grand-dad or whoever in somebody's kitchen, to get the money for getting a minimum of the same job done that the public schools currently get done. Most would obviously do a lot more, but this would at least eliminate the need to limit vouchers to large schools which get inspected and regulated by the government, and would eliminate flat-out fraud by "home schools" or "private schools" which are doing nothing at all but pocketing the money (as is the case with a lot of federally funded adult vocational schools now).



4 posted on 06/30/2005 9:02:55 AM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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"Set the standards to approximately the current 50th percentile of public school students, and once kids pass the twelfth grade level (even if they do it when they're 10 years old, which wouldn't be uncommon for a lot homeschooled kids), let them get their vouchers until they're 18, without any further testing."

***I agree. We have been discussing inexpensive ways to fast track kids through high school to avoid the liberal agenda and other idiocies:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315730/posts?page=84#84

Unfortunately my thread title was not well thought out, because some parents might instinctively skip over it due to attached stigma, whether real or imagined.




20 posted on 06/30/2005 4:51:46 PM PDT by Kevin OMalley (No, not Freeper#95235, Freeper #1165: Charter member, What Was My Login Club.)





To: Kevin OMalley
Interesting approach. I think a lot of homeschoolers do essentially that. Homeschool entirely through 8th grade, and then phase in community college courses and/or individual high school courses in school districts which allow that.

Another important issue, though, is the huge numbers of kids who just shouldn't be doing high school or college academic work at the traditional age. We're spending colossal amounts of education for kids in the 14-22 age range, which is a time when most them really care about nothing that isn't driven by hormones and/or lack of life experience. Except for the small minority who are really academically self-motivated at that age, they'd be better off doing something like working at McDonald's, and maybe taking one course at a time that meets 2-3 times a week, until such time as they are serious about pursuing education.

It's a horribly common pattern in the U.S. that young people totally waste their time in high school and college, while taxpayers and parents are footing the huge bill for the illusion that they are "studying" full time. Then when they reach their mid 20s or early 30s or whenever they get a clue, they'd really like to do it all over again and get a serious education that will land them good and steady employment, but the money's all been spent and nobody's offering them a free ride anymore, now that they're really serious about studying.




21 posted on 06/30/2005 6:44:39 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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[dawn53]

I posted this to Kevin last night and he asked me to post it on the this thread.

"My kid used the dual credit program at our local state college to fast track. So now he's entering his senior year of HS (17 years old) and completing his AA requirements this term (he needs 3 more hours) and can use the rest of the available credit hours this year (you can take 15 per term) to work toward requirements for his major. It's a wonderful program...and the fact that it's tuition free doesn't hurt. Won't need a GED, since he's homeschooled, I just have to turn in a statement that he has "graduated HS" and he will be awarded an AA at the end of this year which will technically be his sr. year in HS.

Then he can transfer to a 4 year program next year to complete his bachelors, he'll be a junior, and if he stays on track should have his bachelors about the time he turns 20. In our opinion, the good thing about this program (other than the fact that it's free tuition) is that more and more a Master's is needed to secure a good position, and by graduating college at 20, you can go ahead and attain your Masters, still graduating at the same time you would have normally been graduating from college."

[Kevin OMalley]

Thanks, dawn53. You were the 3rd one to respond to this thread! I'm so glad for your son. Hopefully more will find encouragement in his story.