:huh: Oops. I thought WMA was the provider when I asked the question and I couldn't find it when I scrolled up through the messages. I wasn't thinking straight the other day. It's obvious WHO it is.

No experience with online AoPS textbooks. I like real paper books. It was also the only option when I bought my books, but I understand the draw to online if you are overseas. It sounds like you are a good person to do AoPS Prealgebra. If you enjoy Beast, then I think you'll enjoy AoPS. It certainly doesn't have to be a large chunk of time. Most of the problem sets are not too long. I've always sat and buddy taught my kids, but many simply read the book and do it independently. I think if you can do AoPS you are better off for doing so. It certainly isn't for everyone and there are plenty of other good ways to learn math, but you can't proceed through AoPS unless you understand the material. If time is an issue, I would set a # of minutes and say do math for this long and then be done for the day. I don't think the prealgebra book is hard to get through in a year at all.

I used IEW in younger years and transitioned to BW online classes. I LOVE the online classes and what they've done for my kids. My oldest isn't in college yet, but got admitted to a very selective school for next year. His writing has improved leaps and bounds with BW. He is severely dysgraphic and all aspects of writing are difficult for him. Kidswrite Intermediate is a good place to start, but it is very difficult to describe as you don't walk out with a polished piece of writing. I've had two boys go through Kidwrite Int. so far. As far as structure - it depends on what you mean. BW is clear in the instructions of what to do, but you have a lot of freedom in your writing. There are no rules - no dress ups, no sentence openers, etc. Many of the assignments are fairly open ended. There is plenty of guidance and instruction, but BW does not tell you how to write. My oldest has a very simple and honest, yet sophisticated tone to his writing. It unmistakably sounds like him. Some classes have a lot of "structure". For instance, MLA research essay is very structured. Your topic is very open ended, but you must follow all the details of MLA formatting. Notetaking and outlining is taught to a specific format. How to format the MLA citations is very structured, but how you organize and write your paper is up to you. If you have specific questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Here's my update. I "think" I have everything scheduled - out of state. I've talked to over 40 schools in the process of getting my AP tests scheduled this year. Edited to add that the four exams are scheduled through three different schools as I couldn't find one to do them all. Lessons learned: Just because the school district always has been very nice to homeschoolers doesn't mean that it'll remain that way. (I have no idea of the whys of what happened). When the school counselors and principals agree to do the tests and you sign up and pay for them, it doesn't mean it will happen. The district coordinators can send down word to all the schools that they are to no longer test any homeschoolers (no matter how willing the schools are). Small town schools are nice to talk to but not really very helpful in testing the less common tests. Private schools also change their minds. College board is not helpful. Accommodations make it harder (but that hasn't been our main problem as I can't schedule our tests for my son without accommodations) Sometimes going out of state is easier. I've spent way too much time scheduling my tests and then having them cancelled. It will be easier to simply drive two hours each way rather than waste my days trying to find someplace closer. HSLDA is interested in advocating for homeschoolers in this situation.

My son did physics honors through Derek Owens. He did it self-paced and where I graded the work. He really enjoyed the class and I thought it was well done. If you want a live component then this is not for you, but he really enjoyed the Derek Owens videos.

What AP Psych are you referring to?

I wouldn't skip math 2. If you are really teaching it at home, then I don't see why he needs it, but then I'd ask why he's in math 1 if you are doing math 2 at home now. If you want to supplement and take the math deeper at home, then AoPS is a great resource. In response to someone else - a reason to take both calc AB and BC is that if you have an AP score for Calc AB on your transcript (especially as a homeschooler) it can be helpful for getting admitted. Calc BC might be taken in senior year to actually place out of more math in college.

MEP math (goggle it) I'd pick out the geometry chapters in levels 8-10 and do them. Each chapter stands alone so you don't need to worry about skipping the other chapters in MEP. It is also free which is a bonus! edited to say - I've done exactly this for a student that I was mostly working on algebra with.

I used IEW for many years (and it was just what we needed) We then moved to Brave Writer online classes and they have been excellent for my family. We are also more and more using a lot of BW philosophy in my house to teach writing although I've always leaned that way even though IEW is at the other end of the spectrum.

I'd follow his lead. If he really wants then you can do more Spanish and statistics. However, I think you schedule is fine without them. I would have a conversation saying you expect something more than video games in free time - whether it be more academics, more free reading, athletics, job is up to you all.

So cool! Happy for you all.

She might be on the young side for AoPS. It takes a certain maturity to be able to struggle with problems. While I do think the first few chapters are the hardest, it is sometimes best to set it aside and come back to later and see if she does better. Also sometime best to just power through. .. no real advice except that AoPS might go better with a little age.

Absolutely.

Yes, two tests are for a senior - needs them to place out of classes for the fall. Two are for a sophomore. The school counselors have been very friendly, tested us in the past and agreed again this year. I've always maintained very good relations with the counselors and been very appreciative. One of the counselors has gone out of her way to help us find a school that the district logistically couldn't give (due to district plans). I don't think it has anything to do with us, but the district testing coordinator has sent down word to the schools that they are not to test homescholers this year. 3 of my 4 tests were confirmed and paid for at the beginning of Feb., but now cancelled. I will address the district at some point, but I don't have the time and energy at this time. I'm working on calling other schools now and will update later.

Ugh. I thought I had 3 of our 4 AP exams scheduled. In addition I am to have a counselor call me back about the fourth today. Now, I get an email saying our school district is no longer testing homeschoolers. They've canceled our registration and refunded our money. We had two different counselors at two schools test in past years and agree to test again this year. We were signed up and paid. Now I'm starting over at step one and I've already previously been turned down by every other school in our area. I'm beyond frustrated at the moment.

If your student is not struggling, then you can go straight to algebra. Personally, I like AoPS prealgebra - but then I like all of AoPS. If you start algebra in 7th and want to stretch out the traditional math sequence, you can add in statistics.

Science usually loses because of time. You might pick one day per week where you do more concentrated science. You might skip the curriculum and just pick library books and read lots of science. You might pick video science (from the library, teaching company, internet, etc) and just let the kids watch and absorb some science.

My son has taken AoPS classes in which he could not attend any of the teaching sessions live. He would download the transcript and go over it himself. It's doable, but more fun live. If you want to try it out, but find it does not work, AoPS will give you a full refund if you withdraw before the third class starts.

There is a time to move away from IEW, but I find no problem after using it for many years. It served us well while we used it.

Not sure if it commonly done or not, but I know people who have had math or foreign language requirements waved for certain degrees. I agree that a college degree should mean that the student is able to do college level work and satisfies the requirements for that degree. Definitely get tested as this is a big problem.

I would definitely get her tested. With learning disabilities, some schools will waive certain graduation requirements (like math) if it really doesn't have anything to do with the major. I'd be upfront in telling the schools about her learning disabilities. If the rest of her ACT scores are good, they may overlook her math score. It sounds like she's already proven that she is a capable learner. Since she has taken college classes with good results, I think that will certainly help make her case that she would be a good student at any school. In answer to your question, yes I have had a student admitted to a very competitive school with his learning disabilities. He is different in that he does test well (with extra time) so his test scores don't hold him back much. I was very upfront in my counselor letter about his difficulties with severe dysgraphia and mod. dyslexia. Told of some of his journey and that I thought he was quite ready and capable of college level work with appropriate accommodations. He had AP scores to back up his transcript, but no college classes.

KET distance learning - $100 if you live in Kentucky; otherwise $450 - full year courses, must buy books separately

I would not like off topic chatting over the instructor. Most of our online classes have not had chatting, but the ones that have are on topic.

Interesting. I'm not sure what I think of #7. Otherwise, the changes look good to me.

The order doesn't matter too much. To do geometry, you need the algebra skills. A few problems use quadratics (about half-way through the book); everything else is covered earlier in the algebra book. Both Number Theory and Counting and Probability use some algebra skills, but your daughter probably has the basic skills already if she's doing algebra 1. NT and C&P can be done before, after or alongside the Algebra book. My son did all four books concurrently - he simply did one chapter in one book and then started a new chapter in a new book often while still finishing the review problems from the first book.