My ds registered for his freshman year at college. They are telling him he needs to start with College Algebra, and we are questioning this based on his background. They are now asking him what he did because they do not see college algebra on his transcript. They are also asking him what class he thinks he should take. So I am going to layout his math experience to you college veterans for suggestions. He started algebra in 8th grade using Foerester' text and Math Without Borders. He took his time and finished it halfway through 9th grade. Next he did Life of Fred Geometry and finished it halfway through 10th grade. Then he did Lial's Intermediate Algebra and finished it halfway through 11th grade. He then decided to do Advanced Algebra from Life of Fred which he finished right before his senior year. His senior year he did Teaching Textbooks Pre-Calc. I found his grades from Intermediate Algebra and they are all in the 80's and 90's. I did not grade Life of Fred Adv. Algebra, but I did grade his pre-calc where he maintained an average in the 90's. Where would you suggest he start math in college? He has never had classroom experience, but he did work independently, diligently and reliably his last year at home. One other factor in his decision is that he got a scholarship where he has to maintain a B+ average so he does not want to go too hard until he gets used to the college experience.

Your ds sounds exactly like my 15yo ds. My oldest is on the other side now, but I don't remember this type of moodiness from him. What might have been different is that my oldest was into a hobby that kept around stable older men (RC Flying) and his personality is very emotionally flat. My 15yo is nothing like that, and I have to keep reminding him that we have the power to choose our attitude towards others and our circumstances. Reading everyone else's experiences is very helpful for me.

I was looking at this too. Is it doable in one semester?

Thanks all. I am starting to lean towards using R & S one more year. I am not sure if we will use the writing portion or find something else.

I agree to get it seen. Last summer I hurt my back. Actually, my back didn't really hurt but the pain shooting down my left leg for 3 days was horrible. Saw the doctor, got an MRI and was sent to a neurosurgeon within a week with a blown disk in my lower back. My back and leg quit hurting, but my part of my left foot and lower leg were numb. The neurosurgeon recommended to have the surgery to clean the leaked disk fluid. Surgery was last October and my foot is still numb. I think I made the right decision for surgery because sometimes the leaked fluid can cause pain in the future. From my understanding the sooner the surgery the better. That said, I think back exercises and focus on posture are critical. I have been negligent on stretching and recovery and am paying for it.

My 4th ds is approaching 6th grade. I own Rod and Staff, which he has been doing since 1st grade, but neither one of us wants to use it next year. I would like something that combines English and writing. I need interesting assignments and detailed instruction for a capable but writing phobic boy. This ds has done some IEW and WWE in the past and will be doing the third year of Fix-It next year. We will be doing Fix-It as a group with my 8th and 11th graders. I have also tried WWS with one of my other boys and found it hard to use for me. So BJU 6 and EIW 6 are on my short list. Both cost about the same, although I could probably find most of BJU used. I showed ds both samples and he picked BJU. I think he likes how writing and grammar alternate. I think EIW would be easier on me as BJU materials tend to be heavy on the teacher. This ds is definitely using BJU Science 6 this next year, and possibly BJU reading. I don't normally do a reading program so I may drop that idea. I don't want to overload him on BJU material as I know it can be very "full". I would love some direction. You would think that by the 4th kid I would have this all figured out. Michelle

My guys LOVE Scratch. It is a free programming website with some teaching.

Very Frustrated with this. I called the NYS higher Education Services last week, and the first person I talked with agreed that the TASC regulation was not required. Then I got handed off the manager when I requested that the college be informed of this. This superior denied anything and sent me to talk to the folks at NYS Education Department (NYSED). So, I put a call into them last Friday and just got a call back today. I explained the situation and they said they have very little to do with the financial aid decisions and sent me back to NYS Higher Education Services. So I just finished a chat session with Jim at the NYS Higher Education website and asked specifically what is the home school eligibility requirement and what can make a student not eligible. My response: told me the TASC test was required referred me back to the NYS Department of Education for any more questions and then SHUT ME DOWN from any further response. I would really love to know where this requirement came from? Michelle

I took the regents when I was in high school, but that was when a regents diploma was optional. I believe that now everyone has to pass them. Maura - Did you end up sending your letter?

Ds is on a conditional acceptance. They called me and asked if I would be able to provide that at the end of the school year.

I also found this at the TAP coach section of the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/partner-access/financial-aid-professionals/tap-and-scholarship-resources/tap-coach/H.html There is a section specifically addressing homeschool requirements at the bottom of the page.

Same school Maura. I like your letter. My son would not even let me call because I was so upset and he knows me too well to keep it to myself. He did very well talking to them. I hope this gets figured out because I have three more children, and I really want to homeschool highschool with them, but things like this make me want to throw in the towel. Michelle

So ds has been accepted to a SUNY school and has earned a full ride scholarship. I have followed all the requirements for homeschooling him through high school and have planned to get the superintendent sign off at the end of the year. Yesterday he receives a letter from his college that he is strongly encouraged to take the TASC test as NYS will no longer give tuition assistance to homeschoolers without this requirement. Since when? I tried googling the NYS education department and found a few small blurbs about this but it seems to have been slipped in without much notice. Ds called the school and they said that this does not affect his scholarship (assuming the person he talked to knew their stuff), but if he falls below the required GPA he would then need the test to get assistance. This is all in the name of fairness. Yet if a homeschooler takes the public school regents exams, he or she is also excluded from assistance. So if we are trying to be "fair" shouldn't everyone be required to pass the same exit exam or am missing something? Also, I cannot even find where this exam is even available in my area. We would have to drive at least an hour to get get to a test site.

I make homemade pizza weekly. I use Emeril's recipe, but I agree that the technique is very important. I heat up my oven with the stones in it and make my pizza on metal pans from Food Network. These pizza pans that have small holes all over the bottom, and I think I got them at Kohls. I then bake the pizza in the pans on the stones in a very hot (500 degree) oven. For a really crispy crust, I pull out the stone and pan together and let it sit on the stone on the cooling rack. I usually bake them for about 14 min.: 7 min. on the bottom rack and 7 on the top.

My oldest is using it this year. This is his first experience with TT after using Foersters Algebra, LOF Geometry, and Lial's Algebra 2. That said, some of his lessons took a very long time. I asked my ds if they are all long (he is on lesson 79) and he agreed that those lessons in the 60's took awhile. Because TT Pre-Calc only has about 100 lessons, I allowed him to spread those longer ones over two days as he saw fit.

Oh, I forgot about the letter of completion. I guess I will be calling them. Thanks

My senior took the SAT this past fall. NYS requires a standardized test every year during high school. Do you think this could count toward it? I think it's silly to have to order another test for him when he is already accepted and making plans for college. In fact he's also taking a CLEP test in a few weeks and they are expensive. I may have to call the superintendent to ask, but I though I would first ask here to see what others have done. Thanks, Michelle

Thanks. We still haven't decided on what to get, but my back is saying it needs to be soon.

Thanks. I got the audio book for The Green Ember also for $1.99.

In NYS A graduate of a 4 yr ABET accredited Engineering Tech. program can take the FE exam. I do think your Cad idea is also a good one. I took a CAD class after I graduated and couldn't find a job. I thought CAD work actually looked less stressful and more enjoyable.

My ds is going to a SUNY Alfred (a tech school) for mechanical engineering technology. It was explained to us as a less theoretical and more hands on engineering which suits our son better. I have a mechanical engineering degree and my professors always looked down their noses at the techs, but I think the hands on component is very important. I was THAT engineer who did the math and science but had no clue how to build it. I'm not saying all engineers were like me. My coworker took car motors apart for fun on weekends. I sewed curtains. Engineering techs can try the professional engineering exam but may have a harder time passing it.

DS is going to a SUNY school (NY) and they requested a form to filled out and signed by our local superintendent verifying that ds took required classes. I'm assuming these will be based on quarterly reports. I wonder if it something like that?

I require 4 years. First ds did biology, chemistry, physics, advanced physics. Second ds did earth science and biology and will do chemistry then physics.

I'm thinking of having my 10th grader take it this year instead of ordering the IOWA test as part of NYS regs ($30 vs. $50). He took the PSAT in the fall. I wonder if I could use that for regs., but that's a different topic.

With my first senior graduating this year, I can now say I am still glad. There have been many times that I have questioned this because I don't see my oldest having much "fun" as I did during my high school years. But he is a well rounded mature young man and will be heading off to college next year. I think that with either homeschool or B&M school, an engaged parent can make a big difference.