I'm not sure how to define proficiency for the average student. I don't think that it should be calendar-based, though.

And that's a damn shame because those types of books are needed. People act like the trades never need any science or math at all and it's not true. Back in the stone age, my high school had different tracks/paths depending on what your plans were and your ability level.

Oh, and I also think it should be ok to take a course at half speed if that is what it takes to complete it. If you need 2 years to understand Algebra 1, fine. Take 2 years! Proficiency is proficiency regardless of time spent getting there.

I'm not in favor of eliminating subjects like algebra I and geometry as a requirement. I'd rather see those topics approached in an accessible way for students that have learning disabilities. For example, there are texts written at lower reading levels for algebra. Apparently, Conceptual Academy just released a "conceptual algebra" course. I haven't looked at it, but maybe that's something that would be more accessible to some students. Geometry doesn't have to be a proof-heavy course to have value. I'd like to see more conceptual science offered and make the labs optional. Most high school labs are just demonstrations and kind of a waste of time, IMO. If the kids want to take them, sure, have at it. But I don't think it should be required. Likewise, conceptual or consumer chemistry should be a valid option. Not everyone needs to slog through weeks of stoichiometry. I'd eliminate the volunteer hour requirement, foreign language requirement, and X number of electives requirements for graduation. Make those things truly elective, and not mandatory. I know some people will gasp over no LOTE, but most Americans don't ever use a foreign language. We don't have a lot of opportunity to use one.

Yes and no. I was in the military, so that means lots of rules. But we also homeschool partially because I can't be bothered to follow the nitpicky rules of public school. My kid is a rule follower, but he will also ask for explanations to rules that don't make sense. That tends to ruffle feathers.

Once upon a time, I could not make gravy from scratch. It tasted greasy and gross no matter what I did, and I theorized that it was one of those skills that couldn't be mastered until you were grandma age/in your 50s. I turned 51, said "Let's try again", and now I make perfect gravy. 🤷‍♀️

Our local high school requires 24 credits in order to graduate. 4 credits English 3 math, to include algebra 1 and geometry. You don't have to take algebra 2, but if you want to apply for state aid for college, you need have to take it. 3 sciences, to include biology. 1 pe 1 fine art 2 credits in language other than English, but they only offer Spanish, so 🤷‍♀️ 4 credits social studies, to include world history, US History since 1877, US govt & econ, world geography. 6 credits electives. One of them is some sort of everything-but-the-kitchen-sink "digital literacy" course that everyone has to take. There are some endorsements you can get, like distinguished achievement or various votech tracks. I don't know a lot about the votech offerings. They have a lot of different courses listed, but this is a small district and school, so I don't know how robust or large the program is, or if it results in the kids getting jobs after high school. You have to pass end of course exams in Algebra 1, Biology, English 1 & 2, US History. There are also mandatory volunteering hours, which just results in people writing down any old "volunteer" opportunity. Like, if you stay after the band concert to help put away music stands, that counts for volunteering, and you can get your form signed. When I was in band, (back in the stone age), that was just part of being in band. Volunteering wasn't mandatory and if you did volunteer, it involved an actual charity that needed help, not simply helping out at your own school-run activity. The state minimum is 22 credits as far as I can tell. It looks like starting in 2021, seniors are also required to fill out the FAFSA or state aid form in order to graduate. Minimum credit breakdown is: 4 English, (English 1 & 2 required, remaining 2 years can be any other course) 3 Math (Algebra 1 & geometry required) 3 Science (Biology required) 3 Social Studies (US history since 1877 and US govt & econ required) World history is NOT a state graduation requirement! 2 language other than English (programming languages meet this requirement) 1 credit PE 1 credit Fine art 5 credits electives My overall impression is that everything is mile wide, inch deep.

For science, could she do something like Guest Hollow's Chemistry in the Kitchen? It's all trade paperbacks and has a workbook. There are videos and cooking projects if she wants to do them, but they aren't necessary. There's no organizing of the information necessary; just read the chapter, answer the questions in the workbook for that chapter. Or not. She could just read, watch the videos, and discuss the reading with you.

Teacher reddit is disheartening. And here I am, agonizing over how to grade my kid's work and whether or not I can call his astronomy course "honors" with a straight face. I might as well slap whatever grade and label I want on his coursework. Who's School Is It Anyway? Where the grades are made up and the standards don't matter!

I like the Luke Combs version and I can't stand country music. The Tracy Chapman original hits in a different way for me. My ex was a big Tracy Chapman fan. He was also an unapologetic, unemployed drunk. So. The song feels familiar.

Doesn't happen here, either. Every once in a blue moon, DS15 will bring me a cup of coffee. When I watched the Queen's funeral, he brought me a cup because he knew I didn't want to miss anything. I thought that was remarkably thoughtful for a teen boy!

I've seen a few schools around here offer "pre-AP" courses, like pre-AP algebra 1. I don't really understand what those classes are accomplishing. There is no AP Algebra, so no how can you have a pre-AP version of it?

I would see about splitting the teams into "beginner" and advanced. Rec league sports are usually open to everyone and are non competitive. It's frustrating to be on a team with mismatched skill levels, but if the league is truly open to all, then you really can't kick people out for not be good enough.

I'm actually not sure I am glad pre-calc is college level only. This used to be a class commonly taught at the high school level by high school teachers, and taught well. I don't think students should be earning college credit for high school-level classes. I'm open to having my mind changed on this, however.

Underwear, mattresses, (shudder), car seats. Any kind of used safety gear because you have no idea if it's been in a wreck and has damage that cannot be visualized. No foods. No toiletries unless the bottles still retain original safety seals. I would only take upholstered items from family. I buy clothes and shoes used and even wear them, *gasp*! Leather shoes get buffed and polished and a squirt of Lysol inside. Converse and Vans get tossed in the wash and dried in the sun.

What resonated for me I this talk was his comment on test, AP classes. He said he'd seen kids with great scores, AP this and that, excellent gpa. They get to Princeton and for the first time ever, see problems they have NO idea how to solve. They don't know what to do and bomb, and Princeton is not where you want to make the realization that you really don't know what you're doing. The kids are great at memorization and can plug and chug, but can't problem solve. They memorize and dump for the next test, wash, rinse, repeat for all of high school.

I think this is it. It's long, over an hour. 2014 Richard Rusczyk

Coincidentally, I was reading an article last night about American education standards and how it relates to textbooks. It is probably preaching to the choir, but then TL/DR is that textbooks are written at a 7/8th grade level and the first two years of college at many schools are to remediate what was not taught in high school. Is American Education a Colossal Failure?

I was just about to post that talk from Richard Rusczyk. He gave the talk almost 10 years ago, so this is not a new problem, either.

Nm. I don't have time to dig into the article right now.

Cape dresses are very popular with royalty the last year or two. There are some similarities with this dress to what royal ladies have worn. I don't think this is a GoT doll. Sorry.

Ack, I'd need sedation if that happened here.

They don't sit longer than a day. I do dishes twice a day. Dirty dishes go in the sink, not the counter. It makes me nuts to see dishes on the counter. At most, dishes will sit overnight. I'm glad he apologized..It sounds like you're both having a rough time

I really can't deal with his songs. They feel so sappy and from-another-era. My parents were into John Denver big time, a long with Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow. *Shudder* I am a fan of the John Denver Muppets Christmas special, though.

Same as last year! I am finally going to make some of the crafts I keep saying "someday". I'm going to make an ornament wreath and a little Santa's Workshop: Santa's Workshop