Comparing Calif. public school and Ariz. homeschool credits for college entrance

In reference to the article on homeschool coursework needed for graduation and college entrance, a reader asked this question:

If I went to public school in California and now am homeschooling in Arizona, how do I compare the high school credits to know if I am on track for admission to Arizona State University?

Coursework credit is figured in two different ways in the public schools, and homeschoolers can add in a couple more.

• Typically, if a high school class lasts for one whole school year, it is counted as one credit.
• If Carnegie units are used, classroom hours are counted over the school year.  Generally, 120-150 hours of instructional/classroom time on a subject is considered one credit.
• Since homeschoolers may move at a faster pace than the public school, completion of the textbook and assignments for a year-long class would be counted as one credit.
• Scoring 80% or higher on a final exam for a subject would reflect sufficient mastery to award a credit.  Students may also take a CLEP, AP, or SAT II Subject Test and receive course credit with a high enough score.

Arizona schools award one credit for each year-long high school course, which may also be designated as one Carnegie unit.  One semester courses are one-half credit.  California schools do the same, but they generally also include ten “local credits” for each Carnegie unit completed.

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High school graduation: What courses are needed for homeschoolers

Beginning with the class of 2012, or those who began high school in the fall of 2008, Arizona’s minimum high school graduation requirements have been increased.  For the class of 2013 (those who began 9th grade in the fall of 2009), the requirements are going up even more.

Current credits needed for graduation up to the end of 2011:

• English: 4 credits
• Mathematics: 2 credits
• Science: 2 credits
• Social Studies/History: 2.5 credits
• CTE (Computer Technology) or Fine Arts: 1 credit
• Electives:  8.5 credits
• Total:  20 credits

Credits needed for graduation for the class of 2012:

• English: 4 credits
• Mathematics: 3 credits
• Science: 2 credits
• Social Studies/History: 3 credits
• CTE (Computer Technology) or Fine Arts: 1 credit
• Electives:  7 credits
• Total: 20 credits

Credits needed for graduation for the class of 2013:

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Homeschool transcripts: How to include life experience, literature-based courses

Creating a homeschool transcript is a daunting task for some parents.  The transcript document itself is not that difficult, if you know the standard components of a high school transcript.  The parts that can get more confusing are those that are a little outside the standard framework of high school classes.  In the Phoenix area, workshops can be set up to provide guidance on transcript preparation and key steps needed for getting ready for college.

Ronald Johnson of  PACworks.com offers some helpful suggestions for using practical life experiences and literature for high school credits.These non-traditional venues can provide an additional method of counting coursework for things the students may already be doing.

Using practical life experiences for homeschool transcript credit

• Use Carnegie units to determine how much coursework has been covered.  Typically 120 hours of instruction and independent work equal one high school credit.  This is based on the public school schedule of 45 minutes per day times 180 days in a school year, taking into account the time off for holidays and teacher inservie time. .  Keep track of the number of hours spent on various tasks.
• Determine the types of subjects that are being used in the practical experience.

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Can a homeschool transcript really get a student into college with scholarships?

If you are planning to homeschool high school students, you have probably encountered these questions. You may even know someone who is pretty intimidated with these thoughts.  Join a veteran homeschool mom to get answers to these and other important homeschool questions in a series of four homeschool workshops in one day designed to provide answers and equip you to have the best tools for providing a stellar education for your students.

The workshop sessions include:

• Session 1:  Goal Setting and Record Keeping                   9:00-10:30 AM
• Session 2:  Setting up Lesson Plans                                  10:45-12:00 PM
• Session 3:  Preparing for High School and College           1:00-2:25 PM
• Session 4:  Creating a Homeschool Transcript                   2:40-4:00 PM

Creating a Homeschool Transcript will provide a framework for accessing the correct information to put on a transcript along with sample templates that you can customize at home.  You will also receive a GPA Calculator Tool which takes the stress out of figuring the Grade Point Average. This class goes hand-in-hand with the Preparing for High School and College session

Have you heard of the best ways to account for high school classes which were taken in Junior High or how to translate CLEP or AP test scores into college credits?

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What does homeschool high school look like and how to prepare for college

Homeschoolers are busy people who want easy-to-digest information conveyed in practical language.  They also want a way to sort through the myriad of resources that gives them access to tools that will work for them without a lot of trial and error.  If this is how you think, you may be interested in a series of four homeschool workshops in one day which will answer some of the most pressing questions of new and veteran homeschooling families.

The workshop sessions include:

• Session 1:  Goal Setting and Record Keeping                   9:00-10:30 AM
• Session 2:  Setting up Lesson Plans                                  10:45-12:00 PM
• Session 3:  Preparing for High School and College           1:00-2:25 PM
• Session 4:  Creating a Homeschool Transcript                   2:40-4:00 PM

Preparing for High School and College gives an overview of the many tasks that need to be accomplished during the high school years.  Parents take on the roles of guidance counselor, class scheduler, driver to extra-curricular activities, career counselor, life coach, preparer of good citizens and competent adults, just to name a few.

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How to set homeschool goals and what records to keep

Homeschool parents and teens have a unique opportunity to get homeschooling continuing education at a one day series of workshops.  Session titles are:

• Session 1:  Goal Setting and Record Keeping                   9:00-10:30 AM
• Session 2:  Setting up Lesson Plans                                  10:45-12:00 PM
• Session 3:  Preparing for High School and College           1:00-2:25 PM
• Session 4:  Creating a Homeschool Transcript                   2:40-4:00 PM

Goal Setting and Record Keeping is especially designed for the new homeschooler or one who needs more structure to stay on track.  There is a lot to consider and keep track of, especially for those parents with numerous children, and it can be overwhelming.  You will come away with practical guidelines and easy-to-use forms that can be customized for your family’s needs.

Did you know that homeschool families need to keep all the records that might be kept by other parties for those in the public school?  Tha includes medical records, testing records, classes taken and grades achieved, community service and volunteer work, just to name a few.

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Homeschool workshop series equips parents on lesson plans, records, college prep

If you are a homeschool parent, or if you are thinking about homeschooling your children, you probably have lots of questions.  These are some of the most common queries asked by homeschoolers:

• * How do I set up a schedule for getting through all the materials?
• * Do I need to keep all of my students’ work?
• * What records do I need to keep, and where do I need to send them?
• * How do I teach all the high school classes?
• * What classes are needed for college entrance?
• * What testing is needed as a homeschooler?
• * What else should I be doing for my kids during high school?
• * Can my kids really get into college?
• * How can a homeschooler get college scholarships?

If you have been pondering these or similar questions, you are invited to participate in a series of workshops designed to provide practical answers and resources so that you are more equipped to give your children the best education and preparation possible.

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Can Parents Create Their Own Homeschool Diplomas and Transcripts?

Another great question from the email inbox.

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if anyone here has done their own diploma and transcripts ..and had them accepted by a college?

My oldest two children were homeschooled in PA ..and there was a PA Homeschooler Diploma approved by the Dept. of Education..this was done by an evaluator..and they also kept transcripts.

My 18 yo son had 2 years in that ‘program’…we had to meet certain requirements..read 25 books, 1 10 page paper per year..etc..but when we moved to Ohio and then here he’s not permitted to be in. And I’ve never done it.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
cindy

A:  Hi Cindy,

My girls graduated from homeschooling in 2000, and I prepared their transcripts.  They both went to Glendale Community College, and the older one transferred to University of Arkansas, Little Rock.  There was no question about their transcripts at all, and in fact, both girls were eligible to be in the Honors program at GCC, based on the ASSET test and the transcripts.

I never actually made a diploma for either one of them (shame on me) but no one has ever asked to see it.

There is a federal law which validates transcripts and diplomas created by the parents, since they are the ones overseeing the school work.  Home School Legal Defense Association has a page of Q and A about homeschool diplomas.

I have created dozens of transcripts and diplomas for other families, and have been given good reports on them.  (Here is more information.)

I am doing a College Prep and Transcript Preparation workshop on Friday, August 14 in Tempe, Arizona.  It is free to attend.  Here is the link to all the details.

I would love to answer any further questions that you may have.

Thanks and Blessings,

Holly Craw

Back by Popular Demand! Another Homeschool College Prep Workshop!

 Details will be posted on this tomorrow.  Here is a comment from someone who came to my Unit Studies workshop this week.
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 Holly,

 I really enjoyed yesterday’s workshop and I am sure the other gals did too.  It was very infomative and provided me with further clarity in my planning.  It also confirmed that I am basically on the right track – what a comfort!.  Plus it is always good to see you – when I moved here three years ago and we met, you made me feel very welcomed in my new city.  The fact that you always remembered me and my name even though we’d go months between my coming into Covenant proves you must surely have a knack, i.e. gift, for remembering people with real warmth.  Thank you so much! 

Ok, that all being said . . . I look forward to your next Bookman’s workshop on Multiple Intelligences. . . hmmm, could the boys attend . . would this provide some interesting insight for them into their learning styles?  Blaine is now 13 and Brett is 17 1/2.  Let me know if that is ok and we can add them to the workshop.  You wouldn’t have to provide materials for them – they could share mine so that other Moms could have the benefit of your printed resources. 

Oh, and let me check my calendar for the additional workshop on college prep.  I will get back to you if I can attend that one also.  Again, thanks for yesterday’s workshop.  I am really excited to “open” my package of forms  . .time to get started on the new year ahead.

Yours,
Pam