Archive for May, 2011

Selecting Christian Homeschool Curriculum

Posted on May 30, 2011 | Home Schooling.

You can find a Christian homeschool curriculum very easily now for your family or homeschool group. However, that was not always the case. I have been told that not too long ago, curriculum publishers were unwilling to sell their material to families. They feared that the resources would not be used properly and that individuals were incapable of using the materials designed for traditional school use.

Fortunately, those days are gone and most publishers are happy to serve the needs of the rapidly growing homeschool population. They eagerly supply the Christ-centered books, computer software, and even online courses that homeschoolers are looking for.

There are several benefits to using a Christian homeschool curriculum when teaching your children, such as:

  1. Bible-based content throughout the resource
  2. Traditional views and values will be emphasized such as respect for the family
  3. Support of your decision to educate your child at home
  4. Careful treatment of delicate issues such as “occult practices” or “alternative lifestyles” that may be discussed in higher grade levels
  5. Additional opportunity to dialogue with your child about Godly principles mentioned in the curriculum

A few of the well-known curriculum publishers include: A Beka, Alpha Omega Publications, Bob Jones University Press, Christian Liberty Press, School of Tomorrow, and Rod & Staff. There are others but most people are familiar with these popular names which are often seen at curriculum fairs and events.

Just because you elect to use Christian materials does not mean that you will be required to “settle.” The popular publishers mentioned above offer complete curriculum packages and plenty of supplemental resources.

There are publishers who provide Christian unit study options, such as Five in a Row or The Weaver Curriculum. Some others focus on a single subject such as art or science as seen in the popular resources How Great Thou Art and Apologia Science for example.

There are many publishers who offer Christian homeschool curriculum so your job will be to sift through the choices and determine which one is best for your family. Look at their descriptions in catalogs or online carefully to make an informed decision. Ask for samples or download a sample chapter, if available.

Also, check your Christian bookstores to see if they have the curriculum you may be interested in using with your child. Include him or her in the decision-making process if appropriate.

Choose wisely and remember, that no decision is “set in stone.” If your selection does not work for you or your child, sell it, give it away, and move on to something else. Do not become burdened with any curriculum that does not fulfill your needs.

Homeschool High School – College Placement Tests

Posted on May 28, 2011 | Home Schooling.

As homeschoolers, our job is to teach our children at their level, in every subject, all the time. It is difficult to determine what “at their level” means, because even if they have finished their math book, that does not mean they are ready for the next level. What if they missed a critical concept? What if it was so easy for them they should really skip the next level?

Colleges feel the same way. They want to teach young people at their level in every subject all the time. Unfortunately, they cannot determine “at their level” based on SAT scores or transcripts. With so many public and private schools having their own standards and sequences, kids with the same-looking transcripts can have widely varying skills. Some kids come to college with stellar records but lack-luster preparation in reading, writing, math, etc.

What to do, what to do? Often, colleges may start the year with a test to solve this problem. College placement tests are usually quite different than CLEP or AP. They were developed for this generation of students entering college with an accredited high school transcript but without the ability to do college level work.

These placement tests are often given during or before the first week of college to decide whether students need remedial help in reading, writing, or math. They will help the college in placing children in the proper level of foreign language, science, or other subject area. Those tests usually do not include college credit or the financial benefit of speeding the college degree. On the other hand, extremely poor performance may lengthen the time in college if remedial help is required. Again, these tests have become common as the result of the poor quality of high schools in general. If your child is reasonably well-educated, I don’t think you will need to worry about that.

At some colleges, these tests are required for every freshman. Other colleges will use SAT or ACT scores for a portion of the placement. One common college placement test is the COMPASS placement test. Some college and professors will create their own placement tests, and require a passing grade to register for their class.

Florida recently enacted such a state-wide placement test. Their press release says, “New Placement Test Designed to Help Florida Increase College Graduation Rates: Florida post secondary readiness test to better measure college readiness skills and placement.”

This highlights the fact that a placement test may be a better measurement of college readiness than an accredited transcript from a public or private school.

The press release also underscores the benefits of teaching students at their level, citing improved college graduation rates. Homeschoolers can keep their students working at their level and also see wonderful benefits.

Keep your homeschool curriculum challenging but not overwhelming. Understand that college placement tests may be used to do the same thing at the university level.

Finally, make sure you have prepared your homeschool student for college. Failing to aim for college by using challenging curriculum is one of The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Homeschooling High School. Learn how to avoid all 5 mistakes in my free e-mail mini-course.