While figuring out credits for high school, I came across something interesting.

[mama2cntrykids]

I was wondering if it has any merit.  It basically says that we, as homeschoolers, determine what credits our high schoolers need to graduate, not the public school system.  Here's the link....https://homeschoolers.org/homeschooling-info/teens/

 

Look under the Graduation heading.  Obviously, colleges require certain credits, but is it true that we don't have to follow specifically what the public schoolers need to graduate?

Edited May 28, 2016 by mama2cntrykids

[regentrude]

Unless you state has specific graduation requirements for homeschoolers, you get to decide and do not need to fulfill the requirements for public schools.

It may, however, be prudent to orient yourself on those requirements or the admissions requirements of colleges your kids are looking at, which are usually higher than the ps graduation requirements.

Edited May 28, 2016 by regentrude

[mama2cntrykids]

No, unless you state has specific graduation requirements for homeschoolers, you get to decide and do not need to fulfill the requirements for public schools.

It may, however, be prudent to orient yourself on those requirements or the admissions requirements of colleges your kids are looking at, which are usually higher than the ps graduation requirements.

 

I was slightly dumbfounded reading that we don't have to go by the public schools credits to graduate.  It's a whole new concept to me.  It also helps us, because, with MFW, he has credit for ancient history from last year and *if* we continue with MFW this year, he will have a world history credit too.  But, if he does PSEO (which he's intending to do), we wouldn't have the US history credit that the ps system says that he needs to graduate.

Edited May 28, 2016 by mama2cntrykids

[EKS]

I was slightly dumbfounded reading that we don't have to go by the public schools credits to graduate. It's a whole new concept to me. It also helps us, because, with MFW, he has credit for ancient history from last year and *if* we continue with MFW this year, he will have a world history credit too. But, if he does PSEO (which he's intending to do), we wouldn't have the US history credit that the ps system says that he needs to graduate.

You will want to check with the colleges your student is interested in applying to as some schools actually require US history.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Here where I am we do have requirements as homeschoolers.  However, they are far less than what the PS students have to do.  Which is fine because that does give us more freedom. 

 

 

[hornblower]

I'm in a location where I don't have to do anything (other than provide an educational program, a term which we can define) & we don't have to meet any graduation criteria.

 

We do have to come up with some way of appeasing the post sec people however - & the universities in our country often don't even a homeschool admission policy so it takes some talking / figuring out. 

[klmama]

Obviously, follow your state's homeschooling laws, which may mean that you are required to provide a certain number of hours/days or to cover certain subjects, and be sure what you are providing will work with the colleges your dc is considering.  However, it's not a bad idea to also follow the public school requirements, if possible, as you never know what the future may hold.  I know women who had to stop homeschooling for their dc's senior years when their dhs' lost their jobs, and the kids had to have the right subjects to meet the schools' graduation requirements.  One was able to graduate at the expected time, but the other had to attend an extra semester.   

[MerryAtHope]

This really depends on your state--check out the laws for homeschooling in your state and see what's required. Then, check out what prospective colleges generally require (if you don't know yet where your children might go, check out several state schools and any private schools that might make your list due to family history or location etc...). Usually their requirements will be more stringent than what public schools require, though not always, or not necessarily in every area. It's pretty common, though, for colleges to want to see a year of US history, a year of World history, a semester of government, and a semester of something else, for example. However, they may not specify what years of World history you should cover (all of world history, only modern, only certain times etc...). 

 

With sciences, many will say they want 3 credits, and that they want 1 or 2 of those to be with labs (some schools even say all 3). Some might specify that at least one has to be biology or chemistry. Some might specify biology, chemistry, physics, or 2 of those 3--and so on. So, there can be flexibility within the sciences with regard to going on to college as well. 

 

Finally, think about what you would require. If the colleges in your area didn't require US history, for example, is that something that you personally feel is important at the high school level, or not? 

 

I had my kids take a "world views" course before going on to college. That's not something that I saw on any requirement list, but it made my list. 

 

I find that even with what colleges do want to see, there's still room for lots of flexibility within those courses, and for electives beyond that. Have fun! High school is a great time to explore!

[Lori D.]

Here is a very typical list of required classes for high school seniors applying for college admissions:

4 credits = English (Literature and Writing)
3-4 credits = Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2; STEM students = 1 or 2 higher maths requiring Alg. 2 as pre-requisite)
3-4 credits = Science (with labs -- STEM students = 4-5 credits and Advanced Science credits)
2-4 credits = Social Science (MANY colleges want 1 of those credits in American History)
1 credit = Fine Arts (music/art/drama -- performance or appreciation; or, digital arts, photography, filmmaking etc.)
2-4 credits = Foreign Language (of same language)

4-8 credits = Electives (examples: Logic, Computer, PE, Health, Bible/Religious Studies, Vocational Tech courses, "academic electives" of English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Foreign Language beyond the required credits, personal interest courses etc.…)

22+ credits = total

 

 

Colleges are typically much more open than high schools about *how* you accomplish those credits. So, while MANY colleges require 1 credit of American History as one of the Social Science credits, you can easily do it as part of an integrated World History study -- it doesn't necessarily have to be a stand-alone US History course. :) On the other hand, colleges will also accept things such as Worldview, Comparative Religions, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, etc. as Social Science credits from applicants, so if your student has a particular area of interest, you can follow that interest and it will very likely count towards admission! :)

 

That also allows you much more freedom in exploring special interests of the student through Electives, or speciality sciences, or Fine Arts...

 

Do note: what I listed above are the typical requirements for the majority of public universities and "second tier" universities. If your student wants to attend an Ivy league school, or top tier school, or a highly competitive or selective school you DO need to go for the maximum credits and go above and beyond -- AND you will want to show advanced level of work through AP courses/tests or dual enrollment with quality college courses while still in high school.

 

Also Note: if you have a student who plans to enter a science, engineering, or medical field the student will definitely need 4 math credits (going through at least Pre-Calculus), and have 4 solid sciences to be prepared for the STEM field and to be competitive to gain entry to the degree program of choice. The student will likely need even more math and science credits to be competitive to top level universities.

 

Here is a helpful chart of required credits for High School Requirements, depending on what your goal is. This is a "freebie" from Barbara H of this board, who hosts the Homeschool Success website! :)

Edited May 28, 2016 by Lori D.

[Targhee]

Definitely check your laws.

 

Here you don't get a state issued diploma and you don't have to follow anything but the vagaries of the law which say you have to teach all 11 required subjects (reading, writing, math, spelling, language, science, social studies, history, health, occupational Ed, and art/music appreciation). Note each subject is not a separate class and you can teach them however you like - there's no depth, breadth, time, etc parameters.

 

That being said, you are safest in preparing for college to follow the admissions requirements of prospective universities. And those requirements are usually very similar to high school requirements.

[Excelsior! Academy]

While my state has no graduation requirements for homeschoolers, many choose to follow the local school districts' requirements to keep future options open.  It makes it much easier for college and trade school entrance.  

[JanetC]

Yep -- I just posted on the local homeschool group facebook group the various choices we have for graduation requirements. Families can do:

 

1. Minimum required by our homeschool law

2. Something similar to the current state high school graduation requirements

3. Something similar to the new state (common core) high school graduation requirements

4. The minimum entrance requirements for four-year colleges in our state system

5. NCAA Division I high school requirements

6. NCAA Division II high school requirements

7. Some combination of above!

 

Lot's of choices, depending on what your kid might want to do after graduation.

[SilverMoon]

I guess it never occurred to me to care what the local ps requires. I'm far more concerned with what colleges want from their incoming freshman. Our state doesn't regulate this for homeschoolers, so we stick with what area colleges and/or schools of strong interest for that kid are looking for. There's still a lot of freedom within those requirements for kids to chase interests.

 

Maybe branch out of the cycle and do American this year? Your ancients would count for world history. Most of the schools we've looked at want a minimum of 1 world, 1 American, .5 government, and .5 economics for social studies.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

You will want to check with the colleges your student is interested in applying to as some schools actually require US history.

 

What we did was to spend about 16 months covering history from 1850 through the Cold War.  I titled it Modern World and US History and explained in the descriptions that it presented US history in a world context.

 

I do agree with making sure that what you present covers the bases of what your prospective colleges want.

[mama2cntrykids]

Another thing that I'm looking at is, my ds wants to do PSEO after this year.  So, he could very well end up taking PSEO classes and the rest of the classes that he needs to graduate.  He is thinking of being a dental hygenist and looking at the college where he'd go to get his certificate, he will need to take some biology, chemistry, and english with his PSEO before he can take the dental hygenist courses.  So, if he goes in that direction, I take it he'll be doing those prerequisites along with the courses he needs to graduate high school.  I think I got that right anyway!

[foxbridgeacademy]

You will want to check with the colleges your student is interested in applying to as some schools actually require US history.

 All the Colleges we've looked at require US History, even if you're a HSer. 

 

They also Require 4 years English, 4 years Math (Including Alg. 1, Alg 2, Geom., and 1 more advanced Math), 2-3 Soc. Studies, 1 of which must be US History, unless you live outside the U.S. (1 of the schools required Government, a different one requires Economics), 3 Science (most required Bio with Lab) plus 1 additional lab course. Most Require 2 years Foreign Language. A few require and Art Credit. 

These are bare minimums. What they don't tell you is how to teach these classes. So you could do US. History in name but instead focus on a Global approach, how the US fits into the Modern Global Society. In all honesty I'd just call year 4 of the cycle American History, Colleges don't know or even care that you also studied Europe, China, et al.  To them it's just a box that needs to be checked.

[EKS]

In all honesty I'd just call year 4 of the cycle American History, Colleges don't know or even care that you also studied Europe, China, et al.  To them it's just a box that needs to be checked.

 

:iagree:

 

I would be careful about calling a required course something that makes it sound different from what the admissions people are expecting.  

[Lori D.]

...my ds wants to do PSEO after this year.  So, he could very well end up taking PSEO classes and the rest of the classes that he needs to graduate.  He is thinking of being a dental hygenist and looking at the college where he'd go to get his certificate, he will need to take some biology, chemistry, and english with his PSEO before he can take the dental hygenist courses.  So, if he goes in that direction, I take it he'll be doing those prerequisites along with the courses he needs to graduate high school...

 

Most 1 semester dual enrollment courses (PSEO) count as 1 year of high school credit. So if your student takes mostly dual enrollment courses in 11th and 12th grades, he will easily meet all of the college admission requirements AND the pre-requisites needed for becoming a dental hygienist. Also, by taking the general ed. requirements through DE, if your DS changes his mind about becoming a Dental Hygienist, the credits would still be VERY usable and transferable to either a different Associate's degree program, or to a 4-year university Bachelor's degree program.

 

Tips for For doing dual enrollment (DE):

I strongly suggest starting SLOW and gently -- 1 class the first semester, and in an area that is NOT a weak area for the student. If DS wants to take DE this coming fall semester, you need to get in NOW and enroll as a student, which takes several steps:

- fill out the admission application / DE paperwork

- take the new student placement assessment tests in math and reading

- set up the student page on the college website, for access to student records, classes, financials, etc.

- register for classes

 

How to decide which classes to take as DE:

I'd go for double and triple dipping -- take courses that not only fill out potential high school requirements (in case for some reason DS ends up needing/wanting to attend local public/private high school, but also to be competitive with public/private high school students), but also fill out credits typically required for university admission, AND are required general ed. courses for the Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene that DS is interested in. :)

 

That means looking at the school's website, and find Dental Hygiene program list of course requirements. For example, our local community college offers an AAS degree in Dental Hygiene. Here are the requirements:

 

GENERAL ED. CREDITS

- Writing 101

- Writing 102

- Speech 102: Intro to Oral Communication

- Sociology 101: Intro to Sociology 

- Psychology 101: Intro to Psychology

- choice of course in Humanities/Social Science (things like History, Foreign Language, etc.)

 

PROGRAM PRE-REQUISITES

- Math 122 (Intermediate Algebra) or Math 151 (College Algebra)

- Biology 201: Human Anatomy & Physiology I

- Biology 202: Human Anatomy & Physiology II

- Chemistry 130: pre-requisitiste to Fundamental Organic & Biochemistry

- Chemistry 140: Fundamental Organic & Biochemistry

 

CORE COURSES

- 17 specific courses in Dental Health/Hygiene

______________________________

 

So your DS could knock out those General Ed. requirements and almost all of them would fulfill typical high school graduation requirements AND are typical requirements for other Associate degrees or for university 4-year degrees. Example of how you could gentle schedule these credits in such a way as to not overload your student:

 

9th GRADE

1 credit = English

1 credit = Math: Algebra 1

1 credit = Science: Physical Science

1 credit = Social Science: Ancient History

1 credit = Elective

5 credits = total

 

10th GRADE

fall semester

0.5 credit = English

0.5 credit = Math: Geometry

0.5 credit = Science: Biology

0.5 credit = Social Science: Economics & Personal Finance

1 credit = Foreign Language (1 semester of dual enrollment)

spring semester

0.5 credit = English

0.5 credit = Math: Geometry

0.5 credit = Science: Biology

0.5 credit = Social Science: Government

1 credit = Foreign Language (1 semester of DE)

6 credits = total

 

11th GRADE

fall semester

1 credit = English (1 semester DE: WRT101)

0.5 credit = Math: Algebra 2

0.5 credit = Science: Chemistry

0.5 credit = Fine Arts

0.5 credit = Elective: PE (or personal interest…)

spring semester

1 credit = English (1 semester dual enrollment: WRT102)

0.5 credit = Math: Algebra 2

0.5 credit = Science: Chemistry

0.5 credit = Fine Arts

0.5 credit = Elective: PE (or personal interest…)

6 credits = total

 

12th GRADE

fall semester

1 credit = Math (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. college Math requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Social Science: American History (1 semester DE -- also needed as a gen. ed. in Humanities for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Social Science: Psychology (1 semester DE -- needed as a gen. ed. for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

 

spring semester

1 credit = Social Science: Sociology  (1 semester DE -- needed as a gen. ed. for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Elective: Speech  (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene -- ex: Communications 100)

1 credit = Elective: Computer (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene -- ex: Computer 100)

6 credits = total

 

 

This would yield a total of 23 credits, meet the standard university admission requirements in case DS changes his mind during or after high school, AND knocks out 10 college general ed. courses through DE that DS would need towards his AAS in Dental Hygiene, and would shave a year off of working towards earning that AAS... OR, those DE courses could be used toward a different AAS... OR those DE courses could be used towards a 4-year degree at a university if DS changes his mind about what he wants to do for a career. :)

 

Here's the break-down of those suggested credits from above:

4 credits = English (with 2 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

4 credits = Math (up through Alg 2., and with a college level DE math class required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

3 credits = Science

5 credits = Social Science (includes typically required American History, Econ, Gov't, and with 3 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

2 credits = Foreign Language (2 DE classes that can be used for gen. ed. requirements)

1 credit = Fine Arts

4 credits = Electives (with 2 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

 

 

 

BEST of luck as your family plans for the next years of high school and for the future! :)

Edited May 29, 2016 by Lori D.

[Ellie]

I was slightly dumbfounded reading that we don't have to go by the public schools credits to graduate.  It's a whole new concept to me.  It also helps us, because, with MFW, he has credit for ancient history from last year and *if* we continue with MFW this year, he will have a world history credit too.  But, if he does PSEO (which he's intending to do), we wouldn't have the US history credit that the ps system says that he needs to graduate.

 

Why would you be dumbfounded? :-)

 

The public school system doesn't say your ds needs American history to graduate. It says that public school students do. However, for myself, as an American citizen living in America, it would not occur to me *not* to have my dc do American history and government, regardless of what the law says. :-)

[mama2cntrykids]

Thank you so much, Lori!  This beyond helpful and very kind of you to walk me through.  I've been going through a lot of big changes over the last few months (dh lost his job, found another 4 hours away, moved to the suburbs when we're used to living a very rural lifestyle).  So, to say that I really appreciate your kindness, I mean it. Now, with having to work outside the home while hsing...WHEW.  Sorry to go on and on...

 

 

 

Most 1 semester dual enrollment courses (PSEO) count as 1 year of high school credit. So if your student takes mostly dual enrollment courses in 11th and 12th grades, he will easily meet all of the college admission requirements AND the pre-requisites needed for becoming a dental hygienist. Also, by taking the general ed. requirements through DE, if your DS changes his mind about becoming a Dental Hygienist, the credits would still be VERY usable and transferable to either a different Associate's degree program, or to a 4-year university Bachelor's degree program.

 

Tips for For doing dual enrollment (DE):

I strongly suggest starting SLOW and gently -- 1 class the first semester, and in an area that is NOT a weak area for the student. If DS wants to take DE this coming fall semester, you need to get in NOW and enroll as a student, which takes several steps:

- fill out the admission application / DE paperwork

- take the new student placement assessment tests in math and reading

- set up the student page on the college website, for access to student records, classes, financials, etc.

- register for classes

 

How to decide which classes to take as DE:

I'd go for double and triple dipping -- take courses that not only fill out potential high school requirements (in case for some reason DS ends up needing/wanting to attend local public/private high school, but also to be competitive with public/private high school students), but also fill out credits typically required for university admission, AND are required general ed. courses for the Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene that DS is interested in. :)

 

That means looking at the school's website, and find Dental Hygiene program list of course requirements. For example, our local community college offers an AAS degree in Dental Hygiene. Here are the requirements:

 

GENERAL ED. CREDITS

- Writing 101

- Writing 102

- Speech 102: Intro to Oral Communication

- Sociology 101: Intro to Sociology 

- Psychology 101: Intro to Psychology

- choice of course in Humanities/Social Science (things like History, Foreign Language, etc.)

 

PROGRAM PRE-REQUISITES

- Math 122 (Intermediate Algebra) or Math 151 (College Algebra)

- Biology 201: Human Anatomy & Physiology I

- Biology 202: Human Anatomy & Physiology II

- Chemistry 130: pre-requisitiste to Fundamental Organic & Biochemistry

- Chemistry 140: Fundamental Organic & Biochemistry

 

CORE COURSES

- 17 specific courses in Dental Health/Hygiene

______________________________

 

So your DS could knock out those General Ed. requirements and almost all of them would fulfill typical high school graduation requirements AND are typical requirements for other Associate degrees or for university 4-year degrees. Example of how you could gentle schedule these credits in such a way as to not overload your student:

 

9th GRADE

1 credit = English

1 credit = Math: Algebra 1

1 credit = Science: Physical Science

1 credit = Social Science: Ancient History

1 credit = Elective

5 credits = total

 

10th GRADE

fall semester

0.5 credit = English

0.5 credit = Math: Geometry

0.5 credit = Science: Biology

0.5 credit = Social Science: Economics & Personal Finance

1 credit = Foreign Language (1 semester of dual enrollment)

spring semester

0.5 credit = English

0.5 credit = Math: Geometry

0.5 credit = Science: Biology

0.5 credit = Social Science: Government

1 credit = Foreign Language (1 semester of DE)

6 credits = total

 

11th GRADE

fall semester

1 credit = English (1 semester DE: WRT101)

0.5 credit = Math: Algebra 2

0.5 credit = Science: Chemistry

0.5 credit = Fine Arts

0.5 credit = Elective: PE (or personal interest…)

spring semester

1 credit = English (1 semester dual enrollment: WRT102)

0.5 credit = Math: Algebra 2

0.5 credit = Science: Chemistry

0.5 credit = Fine Arts

0.5 credit = Elective: PE (or personal interest…)

6 credits = total

 

12th GRADE

fall semester

1 credit = Math (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. college Math requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Social Science: American History (1 semester DE -- also needed as a gen. ed. in Humanities for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Social Science: Psychology (1 semester DE -- needed as a gen. ed. for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

 

spring semester

1 credit = Social Science: Sociology  (1 semester DE -- needed as a gen. ed. for AAS in Dental Hygiene)

1 credit = Elective: Speech  (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene -- ex: Communications 100)

1 credit = Elective: Computer (1 semester DE -- gen. ed. requirement for AAS in Dental Hygiene -- ex: Computer 100)

6 credits = total

 

 

This would yield a total of 23 credits, meet the standard university admission requirements in case DS changes his mind during or after high school, AND knocks out 10 college general ed. courses through DE that DS would need towards his AAS in Dental Hygiene, and would shave a year off of working towards earning that AAS... OR, those DE courses could be used toward a different AAS... OR those DE courses could be used towards a 4-year degree at a university if DS changes his mind about what he wants to do for a career. :)

 

Here's the break-down of those suggested credits from above:

4 credits = English (with 2 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

4 credits = Math (up through Alg 2., and with a college level DE math class required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

3 credits = Science

5 credits = Social Science (includes typically required American History, Econ, Gov't, and with 3 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

2 credits = Foreign Language (2 DE classes that can be used for gen. ed. requirements)

1 credit = Fine Arts

4 credits = Electives (with 2 DE classes required for the AAS in Dental Hygiene)

 

 

 

BEST of luck as your family plans for the next years of high school and for the future! :)

 

[Kim in SouthGa]

We were told by a couple of colleges to make sure we had all the credits that the local/state required for public schools.  To cover all my bases, I picked a range of schools (from local community college to state university to Harvard) and made sure my kiddos would have the credits needed by any of them. You never know what is gonna happen junior year- a kid that has seemed totally unmotivated may decide to pursue medical school!