Homeschool Q&A: Graduation
This post is part of a new series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series will feature questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics—and the answers!
Q. What records do I need to keep while I homeschool? How does a homeschooled student graduate from high school? Does a homeschooled student get a valid diploma?
A. From grades K through 8, parents may choose to keep grades and informal school records for their own reference. The superintendent’s record of a parent’s Notice of Intent only verifies that the parent has complied with the Virginia homeschool law and the compulsory attendance law. It does not lead to a high school diploma.
At ninth grade, which is considered the beginning of high school, parents should begin developing a more formal record of courses and grades. This type of record is known as a high school transcript.
I recommend The High School Handbook by Mary Schofield. This book will help you narrow down the goals you have for your student and develop a course of study in keeping with these goals. For each course, you will assign and record appropriate grades and credits for completed high school work.
When your high school student has completed the course of study you have planned, you then sign and issue a diploma. Parent-generated, homeschool diplomas and transcripts are accepted by community colleges, state and private colleges, employers, and by a variety of other post-secondary educational training facilities.
For more information about high school, click here!
Yvonne Bunn @ August 25, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Transferring High School Credits
This post is part of a new series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series will feature questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics—and the answers!
Q. My homeschooled son will be entering eleventh grade and wants to attend public school. They will not accept any of his homeschool credits. What can we do?
A. Based on Virginia law, each school district makes its own policies for students transferring into government high schools whether they are public, private, or homeschooled students. The policies you mention concerning not accepting homeschool credits are similar in most other counties.
Credits for graduation begin at ninth grade. Government schools are NOT REQUIRED under Virginia law to accept credits from non-accredited schools, including private schools or homeschools. At the same time, they are NOT prohibited from accepting them. It is up to each district to determine its policy. In addition to evaluating credits, SOL tests from previous years often must be taken for placement.
Parents are no longer in control of important educational decisions when their students enter government schools, so there is little a homeschool parent can do other than object and try to negotiate. After trying to negotiate, you must ultimately submit to the policy decision of your local school board and the school counselor when sending your child back to public school.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 18, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Obtaining Records
This post is part of a new series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series will feature questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics—and the answers!
Q. This is my first year homeschooling. Up until this fall, my child has been in public school. Can I get a copy of his school records? I am not sure what my legal rights are.
A. Yes, you have a legal right to a copy of your child’s public school records. You may go to his previous school’s office and request a copy. According to the Freedom of Information Act, referenced in § 2.2-3705.4 (1), a parent or legal guardian has a right to have a copy of this information. It’s possible the secretary may not know the law.
If the secretary does not respond positively, you may need to respectfully help him understand his responsibility by providing a copy of the law. You may be required to show identification and sign a release form in order to obtain a copy of the records.
You child’s permanent record may have helpful information about his progress, learning issues, and educational development. This may help you plan a program of study that will better fit his individual needs.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 17, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (1)
Homeschool Q&A: Understanding Work Permits
This post is part of a new series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series will feature questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics—and the answers!
Q. Does my teen need a work permit to get a job? If so, how does he get one? Are there any hour restrictions for homeschooled teens?
A. A 16-year-old does not need to have a work permit in order to get a job. He may be employed in any job allowed by law that does not endanger the teen’s health and safety. He may work in many types of jobs—construction, auto repair, dry cleaning, manufacturing, radio and TV repair, printing, hospitals, hotels, theaters, warehouses, fairs and carnivals, etc.
Also, 16- and 17-year-olds have no restrictions on their hours of work. Due to health and safety concerns, however, certain occupations and job tasks are prohibited for teenagers. You can view more details on the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s website.
If a teen needs a work permit, it can be obtained from a local high school or possibly from a private school, even though he does not attend these schools. Your school board or Department of Social Services may also issue work permits, but call first. An official “issuing officer” must give you the permit.
Federal work regulations are the same for all teens whether they homeschool or go to a government school. I have personally lobbied on Capitol Hill for changes to work hours for homeschoolers, especially since homeschool students are not on a government school schedule. I hope we will see law changes in the future.
We have a comprehensive Q&A on teens and jobs on the HEAV website.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 11, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
New Study Shows Homeschoolers Succeed in College
Note: You can view the actual study referred to here.
Contact: Ian Slatter, Home School Legal Defense Association, 540-338-8663
PURCELLVILLE, VA, August 3 /Christian Newswire/ – Last week, a study titled “Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students” was released and showed that homeschooled college students significantly outperformed their peers. “This is great news for the homeschool community,” said Michael Smith, president of HSLDA. “Once again, homeschooling parents have shown they are more than capable of preparing their children for all aspects of life,” he added.
The study covered homeschoolers from 2004-2009 at a mid-sized college in the upper Midwest. Among the major findings:
Homeschooled students earned a higher first-year GPA (3.41) when compared to other freshman (3.12).
Homeschooled students earned a higher fourth-year GPA (3.46) when compared to other freshman who completed their fourth year (3.16).
Homeschooled students achieved a higher graduation rate (66.7 percent) when compared to the overall student population (57.5 percent).
Other research has shown that parents spend on average $500 per child, per year to homeschool. In comparison, the average public school spends over $10,000 per child, per year. Homeschooling is proving itself everyday to be a credible and cost-effective method of educating children.
Other examples of homeschool success can also be found in the college preparatory area. Patrick Henry College Preparatory Academy, which conducts online AP* classes with a Christian worldview, released its results today for the May 2010 United States Government and Politics AP* Exam.
Reported scores for homeschooled students who studied with PHC Prep averaged “3.75″ on a scale of 1-5 (with 3 being a pass). Last year’s national average for the same exam was “2.78.”
As millions of children go back to school in the next few weeks, it’s important to remember the hundreds of thousands of homeschool families (representing over 2 million homeschooled children) who are achieving amazing results on a fraction of the budget.
*Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a 27-year-old, 85,000 member non-profit organization and the preeminent association advocating the legal right of parents to homeschool their children.
Blog @ August 10, 2010 | Homeschoolers Did It! | Comments (0)