Listing a Repeated Course on a Transcript
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. If a student repeats a course due to a poor grade, is it acceptable to list the course once with the new grade on the high school transcript?
A. In a homeschool situation, students can work toward mastery or at least improvement. Parents may want to post the better grade because it reflects the knowledge gained regardless of the time it took to reach the improved level. Whether or not a student repeats a course, he should only receive one credit for the course.
There is no clear-cut answer. A homeschool parent can decide whether or not to drop the first grade, include both grades, or post the improved grade for the course.
Yvonne Bunn @ May 25, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (2)
The Difference Between Part-Time Enrollment and Dual Enrollment
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. What is the difference in part-time enrollment and dual enrollment?
A. Part-time and dual enrollment refer to two types of enrollment that may be available to students.
Part-time enrollment is when a homeschooled student (or non-public school student) enrolls in public school classes while being taught at home (or elsewhere). Each local school board determines if they will allow homeschool students to enroll on a part-time basis. You can find if part-time enrollment is permitted in your district by calling your local school board office.
If your school board allows part-time enrollment, according to § 22.1-253.13:2.N, homeschool students who have complied with the homeschool statute and filed a Notice of Intent can enroll part-time and take the following courses: mathematics, science, English, history, social science, career and technical education, fine arts, foreign language, or health education or physical education. Part-time students may take other classes, but the school will not receive ADM (Average Daily Membership) funding for these classes.
Dual enrollment is when qualified students enroll in one or more college classes while in high school. Homeschoolers who are dual enrolled can earn credits for high school graduation and, at the same time, earn college credits. Students must pass the college placement exam, and in most cases, the student must be a junior or senior. Students can take online college classes or attend classes on campus. Parents must pay college tuition and textbook fees. Dual enrollment offers an opportunity to jump-start a college education.
To understand the many options high school students have, be sure to watch our webinar Homeschool High School: Path to Success, take part in one of our Homeschool Success Seminars, or come to the convention on June 9, 10 and 11!
Yvonne Bunn @ May 19, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (1)
Understanding Credits
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Some homeschool co-ops offer credits for courses. Should I give my children credits for the classes I teach them at home?
A. A credit is simply a way to translate homeschool or school work into commonly understood educational language. Whether or not to give credits depends on the grade level of each child. If a child is in grade K-8, you do not need to assign a credit value for the subjects he completes each year. However, when high school begins at ninth grade, homeschooling parents should keep a high school record or transcript.
A transcript for grades 9-12 should include the courses your child has completed, the grades for each course, the credit value, and any other important information such as a GPA and College Board scores.
Generally, one credit is given for a year’s worth of work or approximately 50 minutes a day, five days a week for 36 weeks, or about 120-180 hours of work. A credit can also be given for completion of a course that takes about a year, or the completion of at least 75% of a textbook.
The credits on a high school transcript can be given by the parent or a by combination of people: by a parent if he or she teaches the course, by co-op teachers if a student is enrolled in co-op classes, by a school if a student is enrolled part-time in public or Christian school classes, by a college if a student is dual-enrolled in college classes, or by distance learning programs and correspondence courses when a child is enrolled. When the required number of credits is complete as determined by the parent or program, the student can graduate.
The parent of a high school student is NOT required to submit a transcript with grades and credits to the superintendent. However, it is very helpful to have a standardized record when applying to colleges, joining the military, or applying for certain jobs.
NOTE: Parents can develop their own transcripts or use the new easy-to-use homeschool transcript service provided by HEAV.
Yvonne Bunn @ May 11, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (2)
Testing a Kindergartener
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Am I required to test my kindergarten child if I notified my superintendent last fall that we would begin homeschooling?
A. Testing a kindergarten student does not depend on whether you notified or did not notify your superintendent. It depends on the age of your child last September 30 when the school year began.
Children who are NOT age six as of September 30 of the school year are NOT required to be tested. Age, not grade level or notification, is the determining factor.
The law is very specific regarding the age exemption. § 22.1-254.1 (C) states the following:
“The [testing] requirements of subsection (C) shall not apply to children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year.”
Therefore, at the beginning of the school year, if your kindergarten student was five years old on September 30, he will NOT need to be tested for this school year. However, if your kindergarten student was six years old on September 30, he will need to be tested. As you can see, some kindergarten students will need to be tested and others will not.
If you notified your superintendent you were homeschooling your kindergartner by sending him a letter or a Notice of Intent form, don’t be alarmed if you receive a testing reminder early in the spring. This is a form letter that is sent to every homeschooler in the superintendent’s district.
According to the above statute, you do not have to comply with this request. If a superintendent or his designee contacts you requesting a test the law does not require, please contact HEAV, and we will be glad to work with you in resolving this matter.
Yvonne Bunn @ May 4, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Leadership Retreat Summary
On April 15 and 16, support group leaders gathered from across the state for a time of refreshment, networking, and encouragement.
Take a look at the pictures, and be sure to tell your support group leaders to sign up for HEAV’s free Leader Letter. The Leader Letter is filled with helpful information and resources specifically for support group and co-op leaders — they’ll also learn about next year’s retreat!
If you attended the leader retreat, we’d love your feedback! If you haven’t filled out the survey we sent a few weeks ago, here’s the link. Thank you to all those who have already sent us feedback!
Having trouble viewing the slideshow? View it on Picasa.
Don’t miss HEAV’s Virginia Homeschool Convention on June 9-11, 2011!
Blog @ May 4, 2011 | Events | Comments (0)