University of Richmond? We were supposed to visit there in Feb, but that was when Richmond received 1' of snow! Unfortunately, that cancelled our trip, but we plan to go back. From everything we've researched they have an excellent reputation and students truly seem to love their experience there. They are apparently very generous with aid, too. HTH, Jennifer

Kudos to you and your dd, Amy! From all I've read in your other posts, you have nothing to worry about. You've done a great job!!! Blessings, Jennifer

With DD#1, I used Sing, Spell, Read, and Write. I liked the program OK, but there was a lot of writing, and it was too much for my then 5 yo dd. So, I began to research other programs when it came time to teach DS#2 how to read. I stumbled upon the book, The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Spalding. (This is now called the Spalding Method.) This is a fascinating book about the neuroscience of how the brain processes information. I absolutely love this methodology! It works, it isn't expensive, and it makes sense! This was a much better choice for us; there was less writing, but lots of oral practice. If memory serves me correctly, the Phonics Road uses the Spalding Method. HTH, Jennifer

Have you looked at the Potter's School? They have excellent foreign language courses.

DD is also taking APUSH, and they have no research papers due. The writing focus for that course is knowing how to answer the DBQ's for the AP exam. As far as the literary criticism papers, I would expect that more in AP Lit rather than AP English Lang/Comp. What I've noticed so far about the AP English course is that the teacher is preparing the students for two exams: the AP exam and the end-of-course exam in American Lit that is required of ALL 11th graders in GA. So there is a heavy focus on Amer Lit in this AP course. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, just not what I expected from this course. I anticipated grammar, exposure to writing many different kinds of essays, and at least one research paper with citations in MLA, Chicago, or APA, depending on the student's topic. Heigh Ho, just wondering....how do you feel about the way the writing is conducted in your district? Our districts sound similar in their approach. Jennifer

It sounds like your school system has done a much better job of integrating the IB program throughout the K-12 curriculum. You probably live in a different state than GA. I know people in other counties here in GA who, as Laura mentioned, are so swamped and stressed out with so much being crammed into those last 3 years, that many of them have pulled their kids out.

Maybe your right; maybe there is more to it. Thanks for the link to the history dept's requirements and expectations. I might poke around some more on Tech & UGA's sites.

Like you, I expect both Tech & UGA to require papers. When we went to visit Univ of MD in the spring, the students leading the campus tour stated that pretty much all disciplines taught and expected excellent writing skills. They said research writing was heavily emphasized in freshman level English courses. The uni even has a writing clinic housed in a building near the library where students can have one-on-one tutoring for all types of writing assignments.

Oh, believe me, they are at odds. Several of my friends who have worked at the high school for 20+ years, say that morale is the lowest they have ever seen. I REALLY hope that this is not true.

Jane, you are probably on target with your comments applying to our school's teachers. There has been so much cutting that it really is ridiculous. Most classes now contain 32-33 students, but teachers have 3 block class loads. So, that equates to 150+ students and when you look at it from that perspective, I can understand how overwhelmed a teacher would be to grade all those papers. I'm sure our teachers feel grossly underpaid for the number of hours that they invest. This is the part that makes me feel so sad for both the teachers and the dismalness of our educational system. Jennifer

We are finally on the mend!! My ds had a respiratory virus that caused him to wheeze, even though he is not asthmatic. We've been doing round the clock breathing treatments and he's been on prednisone. Yesterday, the doc ok'd him to begin weaning the breathing treatments; she did not hear any more wheezing and his oxygen levels were at 98%. Praise God! Meanwhile, I caught a sinus infection and ran a fever for several days & generally felt miserable myself. I do mention the issue with my son, because the doctor said their practice (which encompasses 4 counties) has been swamped with this kind of stuff. Just an FYI for you all. **************************************************************************************** We live in rural NE GA. I know our high school is probably considered a "lower level" high school. Our graduation rates are dismal--only 45% of kids finish high school, so obviously this affects the recruitment of high caliber teachers, and drives many of the decisions of the board of education. You are probably right about the lack of usefulness of research/papers for most kids, because they will not go to college. UGA and GA Tech are our state flagship uni's, and for the college bound students, these schools are talked about A LOT. I would consider GA Tech a high level uni. UGA....I'm not sure whether to call it a mid-level or lower level uni. I think a great deal depends on the academic college that you are talking about--some are excellent, and some are just ok. Three years ago, UGA added a med school, so that has got to add depth to their science & research programs. So wouldn't it seem that students even in those disciplines would be expected to write papers??? UGA promotes itself as a high level uni, and now, prides itself in having a VERY selective and competitive admissions rate. Thanks to the HOPE scholarship, many students do not get in their freshman year. The HOPE has kept some of the brightest students here in GA, so supposedly, that has also raised the level of education at UGA. Not sure how valid that is??? Anyway, it's hard for me to believe that even UGA would be doing away with research papers. Creekland, I know you guys looked at higher level uni's/colleges. Where would you say UGA stands?

Laura, Interesting that you highlight this about the IB. The principal at my dd's high school has only been there 1 yr, so he is still new, and I know he wants more for these kids than they currently are getting. He came from a school system that offers the IB diploma in many of its high schools. Last spring, he presented the IB concept to our board of education. It was not received with great enthusiasm, mainly because of ...$$$$--it means more highly qualified teachers, training, paperwork, blah, blah, blah. (I'm sure you sense my cynicism.) I would LOVE to see the high school offer that, not just for the research paper, but the critical thinking and global aspect of the program. Unfortunately, it would not be soon enough for my dd. She graduates in 2016, and I'm sure it would take a few years to get the program rolling. Thanks, Jennifer

First, let me apologize for taking a little while to come back and reply, but we have had so much sickness at my house that I've either been in the bed or a nurse to someone else. Anyways.... Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. As I read through them, the overwhelming majority stated that indeed, colleges DO STILL require research papers of various sorts. This is what I thought, but I wanted to find out from others' experiences so as to confirm my skepticism. How could an entire English dept at the high school make such claims when this is NOT the norm. Is it really that teachers don't want to grade students' papers, as several posters suggested? If so, I'm not sure whether to be mad at the teachers & our educational system, or feel sorry for them because of their long hours dealing with bureaucracy. For all of you who still homeschool, be glad that you are pressing forward. Your kids will be so much more prepared for college. I guess my dd will have to learn the hard way when she gets assigned a lengthy paper in college. Then on the other hand, maybe that's better anyway; she will more than likely be learning from more competent teachers/professors. Thanks again, guys.... Jennifer

My dd is taking AP English Language at the local high school this year. In my conversation with her teacher (who holds a doctorate in English) and several other teachers in the English department at the high school, I have been asking why none of the English courses require students to write a research paper. All of the teachers have told me that research papers are no longer being required at the college level. What??? They claim no one wants to read them; they would rather students create a power point presentation and document their sources. In addition, the cheating is so widespread that most professors require that college students perform only in-class writing and no out-of-class writing. I know many of you ARE college professors or have students in college right now. Is all of this accurate? I'd love some discussion about this topic. Thanks, Jennifer

Have you checked the Potter's School? I think they cover how to use all of Microsoft Office. I don't know anything about content, nor can I give you any reviews. However, I will say that our experience with Potter's School was very positive when my dd took their online French courses. Hope that helps! Jennifer

My dd used Derek Owens Physical Science course. I bought the DVD version and graded her homework, tests, and labs myself. It was a great intro to physics and chemistry. DD had no problem going into biology and feels confident about taking chemistry. The labs are very simple, straightforward, and fun. He is also very quick to answer questions if they arise. HTH, Jennifer Brent

This is not a DVD option, but online audio lectures with a blackboard: Derek Owens math classes. My dd took his geometry course and it was excellent. It is challenging and he offers an honors option. The student watches/listens to the lectures, completes problems, scans them, and emails directly to Derek. He grades all the work saving you from doing it. I liked this for geometry because IMHO answers for proofs are not straightforward and may be approached in different ways. I was not confident that I could grade dd's work sufficiently. Just thought I'd throw that out to you. Jennifer

Faith, just want to let you know that I am sending up prayers for you, your son, and the other driver's complete recovery. Take care of yourself now, so that you will be able to take of your son's recovery later. Please keep us posted. God bless you all, Jennifer

This is so helpful to know that there is not much difference in the editions of Zumdahl. So, I think the edition I have will be fine. Now I just have to locate a solutions manual. Thanks so much for your replies..

I, too, highly recommend Madame S. at the Potter's School. My daughter took her for French 1 in 9th grade and fell in love with the language. She worked very hard in the class, and learned so much. Most of her French II at the high school was a review because of the amount of material covered in French 1. Dd found Madame S. to be extremely organized. She was always quick to respond to questions via email, and she quickly returned graded papers. Had dd continued homeschooling, she would've continued with the Potter's School French. HTH, Jennifer

The Zumdahl text I own is the blue one that is just called Chemistry. I wish I knew more about the differences between the different names. I am so glad to hear that your dd really enjoyed the text. I like what I've read so far, however I might change the order a bit. In my text, the authors don't discuss the s,d,p, & f orbitals until ch. 7, and even then, it is not discussed in much detail, so I'll be using one of my old college texts to beef that up. Imho, that is fundamental in understanding and using the periodic table. Thanks so much for your helpful reply. Jennifer

Just trying to get other thoughts. Anyone?

My dd completed the WttW program in 9th grade, and for us, there is no way we could've done all of what you're planning. WttW is a meaty course and takes a good bit of time, not just for the student, but for you, the teacher. I thought we'd complete it in a semester, but it took us the entire year. She also used Rod & Staff 8, which covered both grammar and composition skills. She read books that connected to her world geography course, but we didn't do any writing or lit analysis on them because I was using WttW for that purpose. So vocabulary came from her reading, and not a formal program. Hope that helps.... Jennifer

That's good to hear. Which edition of Zumdahl did you use? Did you also purchase the solutions guide or annotated teacher's text? Also, how much of the book did you cover?

My dd will be taking chemistry at the local public school. From what I've heard, there are no textbooks for the course, and the teachers do not have a good reputation. So, I am wanting to brush up on my own skills, while also choosing a solid text for dd to use to support what is taught. The school works on a block schedule, so this course will be fast paced. I own Chemistry by Zumdahl, 6th ed. copyright 2002. Do you think that this is too old to use? Should I get a more current version or should I go with something like Trivedi, that provides lectures & problems via computer? DD is a very good student, BUT she does not aspire to do anything in a STEM career. Therefore, I'm not looking to have the most rigorous text, but rather one that solidly covers high school chemistry. Thanks for the help. Jennifer