Home Schooling; Part 3

For kids who grew up in home school, a class with more than one can be a challenge.

“It was probably easier to learn without all of the other class interruptions and stuff,” Shaun, 14, said.

But interruptions and distractions are a way of college life, and as home schooled kids set their sites on higher education, they need to be intellectually and emotionally ready.

Dr. Marianne Garber said parents can’t always judge this objectively and that it is important for parents to get an outside view of what’s going on with their children A child in the public school system or a private school system gets other views from teachers and testing, she said.

While only 29 states require annual progress tests of home schoolers, experts said all home school parents should use that objective measure of their child’s progress as a matter of course.

“If that student’s scores are significantly below the average, I think the parent needs to then say, maybe the student needs more at this point than what I have to offer,” Dr. Garber said.

Special classes can provide the answer to the outside testing and influences a child.

What Parents Should Know

“I don’t have a transcript for my kid! How’s he going to get into college? How’s he going to get a job?” I have ruined my child’s future. Don’t panic. You haven’t ruined them. College is still an option and their future can remain in tact. It may just take a little extra work on your part.

Parents need to find out SAT dates and requirements, ensure that their child is taking the correct courses, and make sure that their kid is keeping a log book and portfolio of all of their work.

Without a teacher there to pass out reminders of SAT dates, parents need to call the SAT testing service (609) 771-7600 in order to have an application mailed to them. They can also log on to http://www.collegeboard.org/sat/html/satform.html to register on line.

Every college requires that a student take six to eight math credits, six science credits, six social studies credits and eight electives. The electives traditionally include foreign languages, arts and computer.

Keeping a very detailed log book and portfolio will also be a valuable tool when dealing with college admissions officers.