We used AOP's High School Health -- it was okay and got the required credit out of the way. She add in CPR and red cross training and did a project for gymnastics. I'm at a loss for what to do for middle ds bec I don't see him liking the AOP Lifepac. A number of people in our area use Total Health but I haven't really looked into it yet. CK12.org has a high school flexbook that I've considered too.

Were additional testing instruments used? I would agree with the large discrepancy would not be a vailid indicator of intelligence. I had one w/ similar scatter although much higher Verbal Vision Therapy helped tremendously. Additional the w/ the other testing instruments used he was dx as dysgraphic, dyslexic and ADHD -- using Wilson Language Fundations program and meds for the ADHD were the final piece for our puzzle/

This is the program I did my graduate training with. It is a fee based program but was one of the first in the nation for college aged LD students. They have expanded their services to include ADD/ADHD, Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum, etc. http://achieve.siu.edu/ With that in mind, there are colleges and universities that provide the basic 504/ADA accommodations but on a higher scale than "basic" if that makes sense. Johnson county Community College in Overland Park Kansas is one of those schools.

Correct, for dd and middle ds they have never had "official' IEP's or 504 in terms of coming from the public school system. I have however, written my plans - I believe I recall reading on HSLDA or in some of their literature at one point that they recommended doing that - each year documenting what accommodations they will be allowed or if we are using special curriculum to address areas of weakness or remediation. They College Board and ACT will require a formal diagnosis. Our kids had evals beginning in early elementary school and then we did re-evals every 3 - 3.5 years just like the public schools. Without a formal diagnosis documenting appropriate testing instruments, results, and recommendations they won't even consider accommodations. Both the College Board for SAT and the ACT turned down dd -- I thought that perhaps I hadn't included enough info so I sent copies of the full evals all the way from Elementary and then asked the Neuropsych that did her last eval to write a letter -- they still turned her down. On the third attempt I phoned them and walked them through the information I had sent and that's when I was told they don't have time to go through and read all the material submitted, but since I had walked them through it and they saw that the info and need for accommodation was there they would grant the request. For middle ds it went through the first time -- don't ask me why.

Actually, at the high school end for what the mother is requesting it's a 504 request bec she's requesting accommodation in the classroom and not remediation or special educational assistance. In the majority of public schools I've been affliated with, the 504 plans are written w/ the guidance counselor, teachers, parents and student - frequently after a child's disability has been verified by the Spec Ed dept. Some disctricts will have a 504 compliance officer that attends or at least is made aware of the request. At the college level the student must take their documentation of a disability to the Disability Coordinator and request the accommodation so experience in high school communicating that request and utilizing that accommodation is beneficial.

When you say "outsourced" is this through the public school or through a home-school co-op program? If it's through the public school I would suggest a call to the guidance counselor requesting a 504 plan be put into place. This would allow your dd to have accommodations in the classroom. You would have a 504 meeting w/ yourself, your dd, generally the guidance counselor, the teacher and frequently someone from Special Ed is included, but not always. By implementing the 504 you are making sure that you're all on the same page as to what accommodations the teacher is to provide and what your dd will be responsible for doing. If it's a co-op class I would determine if your co-op has any requirements in place for teachers accommodating students with disabilities. If not then it will be up to you, the teacher and your dd to set up what you think is resonable for accommodating her.

I believe that they are good for the time you're in high school. I think bec dd had originally been approved in middle school we had to complete the process again. There are also some disabilities that have to be re-verified each year. I don't mind taking a look at what you have.

We've done this so far w/ two of our kiddos. I completed their forms, attached all evals I had on the children and my accommodation plan I write each year. My accommodation plan is very simple -- I list the child's name, school year, a brief description of the disability and then list accommodations like so: 1. Due to slower processing speed Suzy will be allowed extended time for all exams and in-class assignments. 2. Due to fine-motor skills deficits and Dysgraphia Suzy will utilize a computer to compose all written work or will dicate her work. 3. Suzy will be provided extended time on standardized tests. 4. Due to difficulty with tracking and copying Suzy will circle her answers on the test booklet and will not be required to complete scan-tron/bubble test sheets. They told us 3 years ago that they wanted to see a history of the accommodations being provided in the "classroom" setting or for standardized testing. Then this past year they told me that really what they want to know for the most part is that the individual who performed the evaluation found the dc to have disability x and that they recommended accommodations of a, b, c. Be persistent and if they turn you down follow up. They actually denied dd;s twice this year - when they had approved it a few years ago -- on my follow up after the 2nd denial the lady on the phone kept telling me I didn't include information to verify the diagnosis as being current and the accommodations needed. I ask if she had a copy of dd's file in front of her and walked her through it. Her reply, "well we don't have time to read all the material submitted. I'll send this back and indicate on the front that the documentation is here." In less than 48 hours I had an e-mail confirming dd's accommodations!

Thanks for the info! I hadn't considered the need for dd to apply early to a CC. She is doing Jump Start there now, but would have to submit a traditional application for Fall. While she has been accepted at all 4 year universities she applied to and people think she's crazy for not jumping at the acceptance, she is seriously considering staying at the CC where is taking dual enrollment courses.

We are just embarking on this journey -- hopefully not too late for dd who didn't think she would continue to pursue sports in college but is having a change of heart. I have another one coming up that hopes to play baseball at the college level but he's a rising freshman so I'm trying to figure this out. I thought I read a post some time ago where mom's were listing materials they had submitted and had approved -- but I'm not finding it. I appreciate the info for BJU and Apologia -- we've also used PH so I would assume that's been approved since I checked out local ps on NCAA's site and their courses that I know use PH science have been accredited. What about Sonlight? Has anyone used the SL High School Cores 100-400 or Notgrass high school courses and had those approved by NCAA?

DD is wanting to cover Human Anatomy and Physiology next year-- she's had Physical Sci, Bio, and Chemistry. Can anyone recommend a curriculum or resources besides Apologia's Human Body? Thanks -

It sounds a little like the school is trying to get out of testing by stating that a 504 plan can be put in place w/ the previous dx. Arguements have been made in the past that 504 only requires a record of a disability or even a belief of a disability to qualify. However, most public institutions will want a current (within 3 years) dx. Even if the school district is willing to provide you w/ a 504 plan without a current eval -- your problem will come when your ds wants accommodations on the ACT/SAT or in college. It is possible to homeschool without either a 504 or IEP in place and still be allowed accommodations on the ACT/SAT and in college. IT does require that you keep detailed notes for each year as to the accommodations that you provide to your ds in the homeschool environment and that you can provide documentation of his disability. I have two teens that have always been hsed - I have a file for each one w/ all psychoed testing that has been done over the years along with a typed notice stating each school year what intervention I've provided along w/ what accommodations I've provided - that has been sufficient to allow accommodations on the ACT/SAT. As a former 504/ADA univ administrator I also know the importance of my teens being able to explain their disability - how it impacts their learning - and what accommodations they will need. We've worked since they were young on the skill necessary for them to articulate how their LD's impact them. I also spend the middle school and high school years working with them on finding an organization system that works for them, giving them deadlines that they must meet, etc. Then the Jr/Sr year they can do duel enrollment at the local community college to allow them to try out their skills in a less threatening enviornment than a Univ campus. Our oldest attended ps but truthfully even w/ a 504 they did nothing to help him prepare or explain his disability -- all that came from home.

CONGRATS to your dd! It's so exciting when they meet their goals! Laminate the USAG card each year and attach it to their gym bag w/ a luggage tag -- we've always been told that technically the gymnast could be asked for their card at any meet. DD is a level 9 and has never needed it - but it's always nice to know it's there.

My two teens are involved in sports and youth activities at church - through that they have friendships that have branched out into getting together and doing things. DD bec she's 16 and driving can obviously go more than ds (14) -- she goes out w/ friends generally one night on the weekend to high school football games (the majority of her friends are ps or cs), movies, out to dinner, or they come over to our house and hang out. One thing that I have found helpful during late elementary/middle is to have monthly or bi-monthly get- togethers in our home where they can invite a number of kids for an evening.

My little one has requested the "dinosaur" set and Knights-- I'm not sure of it's official name. We did the Egyptian set two Christmas' ago and it has been well loved and is a favorite of all kids visiting our home.

I found this too - there is a youtube clip and this was listed under it: Uploaded on Feb 9, 2010 Available to purchase for home viewing at http://www.amazon.com/Kent-State-The-Came-Home/dp/B003G4W5PK To find this DVD for University, High School and Public library use visit http://bit.ly/eSFlJb . The Emmy Award winning documentary considered to be the definitive account of the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, is being released on DVD for the upcoming 40th anniversary. "This extraordinary hour long doc is so good, so well constructed, that it can't help but leave viewers feeling as if they themselves were on the bloody scene of the Kent State carnage..." Hollywood Reporter. Go to kentstatedvd.com I also found this: http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2008/03/new_documentary_reexamines_ken.html And this: http://www.dmoz.org/Reference/Education/Colleges_and_Universities/North_America/United_States/Ohio/Kent_State_University/May_4,_1970_Shootings/

I began looking into this last year and did a recent search again bec some IRL hs friends were sending me links to register early for Teach Them Diligently. We too lean to OE and more theistic evolutionist in thought. This is what their site (http://teachthemdiligently.net/about/faqs) says: Will there be curriculum providers or speakers that do not believe young earth creationism at Teach Them Diligently? We require all curriculum companies and speakers who provide a Bible, History, or Science Curriculum that touches on Beginnings or the Trustworthiness of the Bible to sign a statement of faith; however, if a curriculum provider or speaker is outside those three areas, we do not insist on a signature. As a result, it is possible that companies focused on grammar, handwriting, math, etc., do not all necessarily believe in young earth creationism and may even be non-Christian. I have attended GHC for two years and find it very uplifting and encouraging. Many of the sessions I attended did speak of Christian beliefs so I think you will find Christian homeschooling and encouragement just not necessarily all YE. I will attend the GHC again. I do have some friends that believe YE is necessary for salvation and they prefer the TTDC and feel more in-tune with the families who attend the conference then the diversity (their words) of hsing families at the GHC.

When I was in high school a movie was out - maybe a made for TV because I seem to recall watching w/ my parents. It was called Kent State the movie. Just did a quick search - here it is: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082608/

I could have written your post w/ the exception of dmil didn't fall and she has money. For almost a year either dh or myself drove the 40 mins one way to her house to make sure she took her meds, ate at least one semi-decent meal, did her laundry, dishes, picked up the house, did yard work, etc. It was draining on all of us and dmil WOULD NOT consider either live-in help, someone to come by daily for a few hours, and certainly not assisted living. The final straw was the day she called me and said she couldn't find her car keys (we'd taken them about 9 months earlier) and was going to walk to the hospital because a spider pushed a needle through her toe. Luckily we (two dsil's and a dbil) had decided among ourselves that it was time for dh to give in and we needed to consider assisted living for her so we'd already spent two months exploring options in our area, prices, etc. Finally her Dr. would listen to us that the "memory loss" and "confusion" were more than getting older and we were able to get her into an assisted living community that also has two levels of memory care and rehab. Because dh had power of attorney both medically and financially we were able to sign papers to place dmil into AL -- she ended up being evaluated by a specialist (another benefit of the place we selected they helped up expedite an eval w/ a Dr's group that specializes in older care and memory care. The Dr's placed her in Stage 5 out of 7 for Alzaheimers. If your dh has medical power of attorney I would encourage him to make an appt w/ her Dr. to discuss her care wiithout his mom and then make an appt to take her back. We have found through all this that dmil was so good at covering and manipulating that she had been able to "fake" for several years her well-being. APlaceformom.com was a good starting place - although for us in the end we didn't go with any of the places they suggested we look at. Seeing an elder attorney (in our case we also needed a trust attorney) was another good step. Mom isn't hostile at the move - she doesn't consider that she's living there. She goes between thinking she's visiting a hotel to thinking that she's there to supervise the employees. Several of the people that we've gotten to know at the Assisted Living facility have told us that in the beginning they didn't want to come - some it took up to three months to accept it -- but they've all accepted it as the best and are happy their dc cared to place them there. If her husband was a veteran there is up to $1500 a month that she might be eligible for to help with expenses. Expenses can also be deducted from her taxes if the Dr. signs a form saying that she can't care for herself. Medical insurance will also pay for some of the care if it's medically necessary. If she really doesn't need full-time care then we also looked into a number of places that provided in-home visits for 4-8 hours a day and did things like yard work, taking her to the Dr, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, etc.

DD is a Jr. and will not be able to take the PSAT on the Wed or Sat it's scheduled in October bec she's having surgery. I can't find information to determine if they offer alternative dates. Or should we just not stress about it? I don't think she'll qualify for NM. We plan to have her take the SAT and ACT in the spring and she'll be taking all but one course at the local CC next year as allowed by our state.

Any experience either for yourself or your dc? DD - our gymnast - will be having this surgery due to continuing ankle problems. The surgery will not happen until the first of October so we aren't meeting the surgeon until the end of Sept. But we're curious as to how long for recovery. We've read anywhere from 6 weeks to 9 months.

IT is very independent. For the younger age I go through the rule and read the words w/ the dc. They copy the word. Then each day for a week they copy a sentence and I have them either copy some of the words on paper, on the white board, or with letter magnets to practice. At the end of the week I give a test - again either in writing or w/ magnets or orally. After a couple weeks I do a spelling bee or game type activity. I had used Wilson bec of dyslexia and tried AAs - but for my middle ds Queen's was the only program that stuck and didn't seem as intensive. Plus the price is right.

I waited to begin my middle ds on copywork because in the elementary years it was just too frustrating -- severe ADHD, dysgraphic, dyslexic and a leftie to top it off. Oh, we did short one sentence copywork, but never longer paragraphs. Now that he's in 8th copywork is much better received - dictation is still a problem, but that because of spelling. But, finally the last two years he's learned to watch on copywork for proper spacing, proper spelling, punctuation, etc. I decided since youngest (3rd grade) wasn't as dysgraphic and not dyslexic or a leftie I would require copywork. We use a combo of Queen's LA, Lang Lessons for WTM level 3 and I alternate if there is copywork. He also uses PIP and/or PIC which is essentially copywork. He gets the words spelled correctly, places punctuation and spacing is so-so -- but sometimes his letters aren't formed as neatly (like large mixed w/ small or two lines to write one line). I've read that some would erase and make the child re-write -- but I'm afraid to do so would cause both a revolt and extreme frustration in this particular ds. He's tender hearted but at the same time strong-willed - too much writing is really difficult and it is hard to focus for long periods of time due to ADHD. So, how perfect should I require his copywork? Having been a Special Ed teacher I was always of the mind-set that if it was done w/ correct spelling, correct punctuation it was enough, but now I'm second guessing myself. You'd think by number 4 I'd be fine w/ this. Oh, I do require more perfect letter formation, etc. for the PIP or PIC bec I see that as handwriting.

Yes. What would you like to know?

I think our fees are fairly reasonable and on the less expensive side and of course things will depend upon area of country too. Monthly tuition: $195 Yearly Booster Club fees: $345 (this pays for coaches fees for meets, two team parties per year) Comp. leos, warm-ups, flip-flops, bags: anywhere from $400-600 every two years Team shirts a couple times a year: generally around $12-15/shirt Meet entry fees: we compete in generally at least 8 meets a year not including state, regionals, nationals -- meet fees are generally $65-150 per meet depending upon meet and level of gymnast Travel expenses - I have no idea what we spend -- for ones that are only a couple hours probably $100-125 for the day depending upon door entry for parent, gas, meals out and doesn't include if gymnast wants a meet t-shirt, photos, etc. For some of our travel meets w/ our whole family going we've easily spent a couple thousand for a 2-3 day weekend by the time you pay gas, hotel, meals, etc. Our gym does lil sis/big sis program so you spend I'd say at least $100 a year on that -- they are little cards, small gifts for each meet then a bigger gift for Christmas and end of year Music and choreography for levels 7 and up - generally $100 or so We do fund-raising which can offset some of the meet fees - but generally each BC member only gets a couple hundred a year in their account from fund-raising. One of our big fund-raisers is our own meet we host - but then again there is the time commitment from a parent to spend 5-70 hours there, time and expense of donating products for concessions or coaches/judges food, etc.