Hi you all! Nan, I have a 17 yo who also,learns French, weekly with a tutor. (I don't want to repeat myself) (I think I've posted before)He's from Africa and he is bringing some of the French material and exams from his country for her to do. (they do some African Lit also) He has come for 5 years now! and before that a different tutor. (two hours at a time, with assigned homework) I spent some time researching French schools also, and they are really expensive when they have the boarding. Same with Swiss schools. (like a year of college) We even looked into French speaking Africa, but I don't think you can find much there either. One of my friends recommended Belgium, she said the French is spoken well there and they are nicer to you then the French would be. You could do an exchange program and choose French and Belgium and that would probably be very nice. I started my daughter on Portuguese, as I've learned Spanish previously, but it's slipped a lot, and I love listening to Portuguese. Portuguese is really a cute language, and there's a lot of options that aren't as expensive as French. The language schools are a lot cheaper, - she just returned from one last December. The class sizes were 3 or one, the last week of the year. She made amazing progress. (this was in Portugal) She lived with a family, and was in class for 7 hours per day, then had homework. She could eat in a cafe for 3-5 euros for lunch. The school was young adults who were going off to work in various Portuguese speaking countries, and they were always speaking in the language. She loved the environment and decided she doesn't want to do a high school kind of program now, as she has had a taste of independence and maturity of motivated students. They don't get many Americans at all. She loved the town, Porto, and she would like to attend the university there. (it's not expensive but I really don't think we can figure out the application) But-long story--there is an in depth foreigners Portuguese language program at U. of Coimbra, on the campus, which is the oldest university and a very nice town. It goes either for a month or a semester or a year. It is subsidized by a foundation, and the semester tuition price is 450 euros for next year for a semester. This is 20 hours per week. You have full access to the university grounds and even the medical clinic it said. They will help you find housing but you would kind of be on your own. My daughter loved the affordability of the area, as she could get a coffee and a small pastry for less than 2 euros in a cafe. The portuguese often live with families while they are in school, and the dorms are reasonable also they said. I think the room part was 200 euros per month, plus your food. You can get European college credit (ECTS) for the course. (this price is for students from non European countries) The French really helped her, and she said she ran into a few French people there to speak French with. She doesn't want to do an American style study abroad, it would be pretty tough to enroll in a French university, but learning Portuguese kind of gave her some more options. She's excited about trying the language program at U. of Coimbra, I told her that I just don't think she can apply as a regular student there. (the applications are through a national portal, and it just seems really difficult to figure out) The sciences are taught in English anyway! This language program seems to fit the bill as it's got an office where the people actually email you right back! If you pm me I can give you more information. She originally really wanted to study in France, but it just seems really expensive for what you get. The Portuguese seems to be amazingly considerate people, even on the street, so she really enjoyed her time there, and wants to return. If you go to Brazil, there is no English at all, so that would be nice, but the visas are expensive, plus the airfare is too, so maybe another time. To enroll at a university in Brazil you need to go through your university and do a study abroad (and they only have the social sciences and humanities available for a study abroad ) No science at all. (anyway, just food for thought, didn't want to interrupt, but we have been trying to find something similar for some years, and we just don't want to throw away $20,000 for a year in a high school in France!!

My d is doing Calc 1 through LSU- 6 credits cost $601 (semester credits) the next semester is 4 credits so it will be a little cheaper. The book and solutions manual together were less than $50 and she can use it for two maybe three semesters. It's the same book used locally at the state univ's just a few editions older and one zero cheaper! The course is pretty independent, if you need help I think you'd have to get a tutor or get some of the DVDs for calculus. The tests are hard, though. I took two of the precal courses myself and thought they were very good, however my daughter thought the first test had some typos. I don't know as I didn't see the test. You have to pay to use a testing center for the two exams. LSU has a lot of math courses, plus some English and history that look pretty good.

Hi! My daughter is studying Portuguese doing continuing ed adult classes in the evenings. She really enjoys it. I saw that the dream of Jeannie DVD has Portuguese, but I couldn't find that for myself when I was looking for that. How do you make sure that you get the DVD with the Portuguese available? thanks!!!

I would wait to send the official sealed transcript as you usually have to pay something for it. We had the school send a certain number of sealed transcripts to us in a large envelope. They went to my husband's office as we were paying for fast delivery and someone has to be there to receive them. Someone at my husband's office slit the large envelope, then carefully slit open each of the 7 small sealed envelopes!!!(that's why I remember this part) So each application had our list of classes, and then the sealed transcripts were included. (we had to order new ones!) Sometimes the colleges only accept them directly from each institiution. (like NCAA) but most schools were OK with the sealed transcript. The Indiana Univ. counts a quarter class at the CC of 4 or more credits, as one semester HS class for the dual credit. I'm not sure if the CC is on a semester basis, but I think then it could be a 3 credit class and still count. I remember the two credit classes couldn't count for any kind of dual credit. HTH

My d. has been tutored in Chinese for about 3 years. ( a few years back) It was difficult finding the right curriculum. Now there is a great online company to order the texts- www.chinasprout.com they have several different series to choose from that come with DVD, cd's and also the answers for the work books. Highly recommended. hth

We used Indiana University High school and it is considered appropriate for the teacher student interaction as the teacher writes comments on your assignments. That's why they say they are still approved for the NCAA classes. However the price has gone up and it is over $200 for each semester course (not including the books) You need exactly 40 credits, classes, to get a HS diploma. (and it's a nice big one!) You can transfer in other accredited classes, and community college credit, so perhaps you can find some cheaper classes. They are very helpful and quickly send out the sealed transcript when you apply to colleges. They also rushed my d's test correcting when she was trying to get finished in time to go to the USAFA. Super helpful really. (the price can't compare to AS, however) The colleges look at this transcript kind of like you're a traditional student. However, as the 40 credits is minimal, then you can still do other things. We're using it for the second daughter also, but she's bringing in classes from many other places to put on her transcript.

Hi - that distance calculus looks really interesting- my d. just started in Calculus one using LSU distance ed. The cost was $601 for a 5 credit course, so it's about half the price of the Shorter University course. The book, used, was reasonable so I would say the text with solution manual costs less than $40, and it is the same one used for 3 semesters of Calculus. (we're happy about that) I have done two LSU math courses myself. You do have to find a university based proctor for the two tests, and that now costs$25 per test. (was $15 before) I really like the courses, the homework is graded quickly, and you can send 3 assignments per week (there's 24 lessons for this class) The tests are thorough, but fair. I liked the fact that they offer a lot of math so she is planning on continuing through everything they have. Also LSU is pretty established as far as transferring credits. HTH

Glass Castle is an interesting view of growing up in different areas of the south and the southwest. How the kids learned to adapt to their environment---I thought the most poignant part was how she made her own braces! There's another amazing book in the same vein, For the Sins of My Father, even more sad, ( about a boy who grows up as the child of someone high in the Mafia in New York. He eventually has a nervous breakdown from the stress of trying to hold everything together. His dad was killed and he tried to keep the family together as the FBI was closing in. The dad's neighbor took him under his wing and helped him become a stockbroker. The neighbor told him that his dad was such a brilliant businessman that he could have made a good living honestly. Both my husband and I loved the book, but it was sad at the end. Glass Castle has a somewhat happier ending.

The cheapest accredited program I've seen is the American School in Chicago (see Cafi Cohen's books--she used them and explains why) They have a very bare bones minimimal curriculum you can find to get a diploma. IE, the math requirement is low, so she had the kids take more classes at a college for math. She did additional homeschooling to improve their education, but the American School provided the diploma. I think they have payment plans. (not a lot of hand holding however) good value for the money. HTH

Hi Beth- My daughter did the exact same thing, but she wanted to take the AP Calc at our local HS. 11th grade- I think she was working on her Dolciani Algebra 2 book at a snail's pace(the first 1/2 was " too easy, mom") but she never finished the second half as she poked around and the course expired--so she didn't even get credit for it. Anyway, she finished the Algebra 2 book, barely, and went into AP Calc. They do a lot of review in the fall, and she caught right up. (oh, and she had jaw surgery the week before and was on pain meds for the first month of school, to make it even harder) This teacher was ranting about kids not having PreCal, and d's table would start laughing! She is now one of the better students I believe. She didn't sign up for the AP test and teacher was really unhappy, so that tells me she was doing OK. (they even found an extra test the night before, which she passed on) She also took the Compass test, and didn't do all that well--she's going to do the LSU distance ed college calculus class. (prices are pretty good, and it's the same book they use at the UW) I actually might look at the LSU courses, they have the best collection of math courses we have found for distance ed. For college credit the price is good. The books can be found for a bargain price--I've done a few of their courses and they're very well written. Their choices of books are excellent- (the high school calc book was discovery math, which went over like a lead balloon) Daughter is going to take all their math at LSU they have (Linear Algebra and whatever else they have) We have found a really good tutor. I would say if the kid wants to do it, that's different. She's also going to do the Oregon State E campus chemistry this summer, so she can take Organic next year. At some point they do get motivated.....

JJ- would you mind keeping us posted on the Senegal experience? Which program are you using? That sounds like a wonderful opportunity--- My daughter has been tutored now for about 10 years in French. She has had the most wonderful tutors, the best have been from Africa. Evidently only the most talented students were offered the chance at the French education system, as one of our tutors explained. They seem to have beautiful French accents and are well educated and smart. We had one for three years, and I think our current one--almost 5 years. They come once per week and assign homework. I look for second hand college books that I pick up. For her first year of public school, she's doing AP French at our local HS, and I think she decided it's really at the level of French 3, but no one knows as they don't use the regular textbooks. She's amazed at the total non interest of the other high school students. The tutors have been really wonderful. We originally found them on craigslist, but I would try to find out if there's any African French speaking people nearby. I think there's more on the east coast? (a lot of them start working in restaurants) Currently looking for Portuguese- no local tutors much. Daughter is taking a continuing ed course evenings at the CC and enjoys it. Everyone else is engaged to a Brazillian, that's why they're in the class!!! Will probably have to go to a web based tutoring at some point. She wants to study in Brazil, and the language schools in the smaller towns are more reasonable than going to Europe. They also have those Meet up Groups of language speakers. Keep us posted on Senegal!!

I think the American School of Correspondence sounds like it might work. It started as a way for adults to pursue a diploma through correspondence. The price is reasonable, and it's accredited. They don't have a lot of electives or AP's like you see in the current accredited schools. I think they have placement tests. The requirements for a diploma are minimal. I think the prices include the texts. Cafi Cohen talked a lot about it in her first book. She did say that to get into a highly ranked college you would have to pursue additional classes, more than what they wanted for the diploma. She said it fit easily around the kids activities and community college courses. She said that because the school is so old they know what they're doing. I think the tests are open book, you don't need a proctor. (We use Indiana U. and U. of Missouri---the courses are more expensive, and you need to arrange for a proctor for the tests) HTH

Not a book, but there's a Movie called Fireproof---Its done by an organization (a church actually) and the website is called Fireproof your Marriage. My husband brought it home from the video store because he was looking for fireman rescue movies. This movie really wasn't what he was looking for!--but you know -I enjoyed it--the messages that are woven into the plot are really true--it's the day to day things that actually keep your marriage going. I think people can see some of the behaviors done by the different couples and see themselves at least a little bit. The actors are all members of the church--and you know, it's pretty well done. I would cautiously recommend it, actually.

Hi --just wanted to add that in WA state we have the GET (guaranteed tuition program) and you can use it for graduate school or any other college if you want. My dd graduated from a service academy and was not able to use it there. So she still had the units available to use. (you're supposed to only store them until you're age 28) She is taking some online college courses through Purdue while she is working in the Air Force. (they are undergrad credits, so the AF won't help pay for them) She's supposed to be pursuing a graduate degree at some point, the AF pays a portion, and then she can use her GET to pay for the rest. The GET can be used to pay for books and room and board also. It pays for graduate school, but there is a limit per year of 120 units that you can use which is basically a little over the regular instate tuition. So, graduate school costs more, but it goes quicker, hopefully, so if you had 4 years saved up--and your masters took you two years, well then it would fund part of it, but then you would have extra left over, unless you could stretch it out. Hope this makes sense! If you'd like to pre pay for graduate school (MS), I'd buy two years worth, it won't pay for everything, but you won't have anything left over. The more the regular tuition goes up--the more the GET is worth. HTH !

Oh my goodness! I just love this forum---I learn so many things here! Please translate this information for me! - I read about the Cyber Challenge but I still don't understand it! Sebastian- do you think it would work as an activity for a unit of Sea Cadets? I was thinking it would be a nice way for the group to work together, if I could figure out exactly what they do. The Sea Cadets meet once a month--would this be adequate to prepare the kids? Thanks again. I found about Sea Cadets here on this forum and it has been a wonderful experience for my daughter---keep up the good work!

My daughter got about 1/2 way through the course. The problems in the book are interesting, and not too hard, but some of the challenge ones for the course were definitely hard! I would agree, there's a lot of reading in the book, I would say it's quite an interesting algebra book. At first the class seemed too easy, but it did get hard later on, and she didn't have enough time--we also had time conflicts with the class so you can only read the transcript.

1. Following the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (from Britain) Wonderful geography/topography lessons reading sections from his diairies and then visiting that actual location. (we got it at the library) 2. One about protecting Tigers in Eastern Russia and how the Russian government has such a small budget that they can barely afford gas for the helicopter! (also from the library) 3. Margaret Sanger- (kind of a movie about her life!) Excellent for girls to see--her own mother died in childbirth and she battled for woman to have birth control before they had the vote. 4. Buena Vista Social Club- about Cuban musicians 5. The Wave--about the fascism experiement done at a high school in Berkeley in the 70's. The original teacher spoke at the screening here. It is required to see if you grow up in Germany! I'll think of more and get back to you!!

By accredited, I mean through an accrediting body of a school association. (I forgot which one they mentioned in the email)( I think one for private schools. ) If you have questions about accreditation-you can go to the website for the accrediting body, and see the list of schools that they are responsible for. When you read the Bears book about schools and accreditation you'l find that some accrediting bodies are just store fronts. Depending on the type of accreditation, the credits will transfer if the schools are comparable. Re Digipen- the computer Game College- their accreditation is vocational, and the other schools listed under the same association are trade schools or beauty colleges. That's why the credits won't transfer to a regular university if you don't finish and want to change colleges. The AP part is through the college board, but the college board wouldn't be considered an accrediting association. They could approve your class, but that wouldn't make it accredited. HTH

My dd has taken and recommends the Latin and the Literature through Scholars On Line. I just received an email that they are pursuing accreditation and expect to get it soon. Potters school is recommended-the Vocabulary class was fun; the teacher has a beautiful speaking voice. I am taking the Microsoft Office class for adults through TPS and it is also very good. (it's the same as the High school class) He did say that the classes will be somewhat different next year- you will do each topic separately for 1 semester. (ie Word, Excell, PP, etc. He also is going to start teaching summer classes. The teacher's great! (Bob Madison) She's doing Electronics through TPS and it's fun, but hard. Professor Otieno is excellent, he left the PA AP school but continues to teach on his own. He uses more of a live meeting format. He's very supportive of the kids. (Computer Science) They work on units and then take a quiz. www.acit. I believe is his website Also recommended is the LSU distance classes. (price is great and quality excellent) Unfortunately they have discontinued the high school courses, but I could recommend the college ones. I've done two math classes and am trying to decide on my next class. HTH

The only thing I can think of after all your suggestions is to check the different websites for rating the college faculty. I would think if you were particularly interested in Subject A, then seeing the across the board ratings for the faculty that teach Subject A. One that I know is Rateyourprofessor.com and there's another one with a similar name. People here use them a lot for the community college classes where there's a lot of sections to choose from. If you're really interested in a sport or club--contact the people directly and they will give your student insights if they have difficulties with the administration, etc. One local u. the administration gave her the phone number of the barn manager to call, (we left a message as instructed); the club contact person told her that the administration had closed the barn years ago, and they all had to move their horses off campus!! If they wanted to practice together they then trailered them down into the next town (a huge drop in elevation) to Lewiston, ID. I said, no way, are you going to be doing that, especially in the winter. My friend had a similar experience with a famous cello teacher. The administration said she was on a "short medical leave" but she heard elsewhere that she was on hospice. She had flown all the way out there to audition on the hopes of getting to study with that teacher! So Jane--if everything else rates evenly- for my d. the extra curriculars and clubs made the college experience for her. Her phone calls home were mainly about these activities I would say. Also, can they amuse themselves without having to drive to the next town? One of my d's friends went to a small LAC and the kids were driving way out into the country for parties. (local kids knew other local kids) She was disappointed that that was the main social event. Her dad told her, that unless it's a religious college, this is to be expected! I don't mean to lecture, but after the academics, really check into the campus activities to see what's offered.

I would say, "Thumbs up"! If you could combine it with a text book that would be better. Also on learner.org, there's another Earth Science course and a text book that goes with that. I enjoyed Professor Renton, him being from West Virginia, they have the mining history, which his dad was, evidently. Many of us have had ancestors that were miners... and I want my kids to have an appreciation for what a tough lifestyle it was .... how nice to have a son of a miner becoming a well loved professor! Additionally, when I read Bela Karolyi's bio about Mary Lou Retton, (who was from W. Virginia) he said that the children of these miners are very hard working and don't complain, and took advantage of any opportunity offered to them. His first gymnasts were from a mining town in Romania I think, and he said their parents were loyal to him, even when the comunists tried cancel his program. He said that the West Virginia people had similar traits because of their location even though it was in the US. I thought that was kind of interesting.

Hi- I have extensive (10 years) experience with U. of Missouri as well as Indiana U. High school, and U. of North Dakota, (and also LSU, which has just been discontinued) I would have to say that some classes are better than others. Which ones do you have in mind? If you want a diploma you can mix and match with any of the univ. based high school courses. Indiana has the smallest requirements (40 credits) You can PM me if you want. I have one that grad. from IUHS, with several courses from U. of Missouri, my second one has many courses from u. of missouri, but probably will transfer them to Indiana. My younger one started her high school classes with U. of Missouri, she did some middle school classes as well as some high school classes early. (Indiana doesn't go lower than HS) At one time I would have said that the courses for Indiana were better; but now that the prices have gone up, and when they have revised their courses using State Approved books, they were of lesser quality than the same course my older one took. For example, Indiana has never offered a chemistry, so they will give you suggestions to find a chemistry that they will accept. Also for languages, they are limited, but do readily accept appropriate transfer credits without any probablems. It's really nice to have the option of say, Latin 2 or French 4, that you really can't normally all get at one school. Also you can get good deals for college credits. I could probably help you over the phone, as it could be more efficient! I'm on west coast time. I can probably tell you quickly what the main pros and cons are. And the type of college you are planning on applying to comes into play! My first grad needed NCAA eligibility for Division 1, so I know picking the right program is important. HTH- Nancy

Any one have experience with the Oklahoma State AP Calculus Program? Thanks

My d. is taking the AP Computer Science this year with Prof. Otieno. He's very good about scheduling extra 1 on 1 tutoring sessions when you need help. He uses a software where they can talk on line and watch a board also. I'm glad to know the Web design was good also. The Comp. Science isn't easy (she's 15) but I think with lots of help she's working her way through it. Not programming but--I'm taking the Potters School Office Class for Moms-- and I really like it. The book is easy to follow, kind of like a cookbook, that you work on little assignments that show you all the different features of the Microsoft Office programs. They're planning on the second level for next year!

The ROTC program itself doesn't cover the housing, but many colleges provide free room/board or partial R and B for these students. I think Univ. of Portland (Air Force) is one of the better ones for the West Coast. I know at the college fair if you get a general brochure from ROTC (not from a particular unit) they will have more details for these colleges. Just off the top of my head, I think Tulane, Embry Riddle, Jacksonville, maybe Michigan, are some of the ones I've heard mentioned--for Navy. I also know Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago gives a great deal also, but I can't remember which ROTC's are included (Air Force vs Navy vs Army) One of my friend's son was on the waiting list for Michigan, until the Rotc person called admissions. (he would have been considered out of state) He said the ROTC program got him in, and he loves it. I also have heard that the units can vary in their "quality". Someone said that the older units usually have more assets (like here in Seattle they have their own boats etc) so they can offer more experiences. Check www.serviceacademyforums.com and they have a ROTC thread going, as well as info about the SA's. There's a lot of helpful experienced folks on that board. HTH