Guest jsneuser Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I am homeschooling a 9th grader that finished the first half of the year in school. This was a quick decision and I'm now trying to find the best way to adapt to school at home for her. Anyone have experience starting in HS? I also need to make sure what I'm doing counts and I'm not quite sure how- in Ga she needs to have credits for HS and I'm not sure how to determine those. She also has to test at the end of this year and I don't know how to find out what will be on it. Any advice is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiec Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I don't have the answer to your questions being from another state ~ but this may be one place to start http://georgiahomeschool.wordpress.com/high-school/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) I am homeschooling a 9th grader that finished the first half of the year in school. This was a quick decision and I'm now trying to find the best way to adapt to school at home for her. Anyone have experience starting in HS? I also need to make sure what I'm doing counts and I'm not quite sure how- in Ga she needs to have credits for HS and I'm not sure how to determine those. She also has to test at the end of this year and I don't know how to find out what will be on it. Any advice is appreciated. First, welcome to homeschooling! :) Second, don't panic! Starting partway into 9th grade still gives you 3.5 years to get everything done that you need to -- that is lots of time! Plus, if your 9th grader was in school last semester, the student will have earned 0.5 credit for each class completed last semester! Be sure to get an official transcript from the school to keep in your records. I'd suggest talking to a local homeschooler who can help mentor you and walk you through these first few months of homeschooling high school. Also, getting involved in a homeschool group can be a wonderful way to help both you and your student make the transition from a classroom setting to making schooling fit your personalities, needs, schedule, etc., by seeing the many different ways other families make it work. Other homeschoolers will also be able to help you with how, when, and where to take the state-mandated standardized testing you were asking about. The first thing to do is make sure you understand what is required of you in your state in order to homeschool, and to "be legal". Here are some links to get you started: GA state laws concerning homeschooling: http://www.ghea.org/pages/resources/stateLaw.php Basics of homeschooling in GA: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blGA.htm How to get started homeschooling in GA: http://www.ghea.org/pages/resources/gettingStarted.php The next step is to understand what exactly GA considers to be a "credit", and what kinds of credits does the state of GA require for a student to graduate from high school. Again, here are some links to get you started: Credits required for High School Graduation in GA: overview info = https://secure.gacollege411.org/High_School_Planning/Georgia_Graduation_Requirements.aspx detailed info = http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-4-2-.47.pdf From what I see, it looks like GA requires very standard sorts of things: - English (4 credits) - Math (4 credits) - Social Studies (3 credits) - Science (3 credits) - Foreign Language (2 credits) - Health/PE (1 credit) - Computer Tech OR Fine Arts (1 credit) - Electives or Locally Required credits (4 credits) That equals a total of 22 credits; so that comes out to roughly 5-6 credits per year. A credit is equal to approximately 1 hour per day, 4-5 days per week, for 36 weeks (total of 150-180 hours). It is fairly easy to decide when to do each credit -- if you need 4 Math credits, then your student will need to take a math class each year of high school; if you need 3 science credits, then your student will need to take science in 3 out of the 4 years of high school. (The only tricky bit is if the student is interested in a math/science career, then you would want to make sure the student takes a science course every year of high school.) Here's just one idea of what your credits might look like: 9th grade (5 credits) - English (includes literature, writing, grammar) - Math (Algebra) - Health/PE - Science (Physical Science) - Elective 10th grade (6 credits) - English (includes literature, writing, grammar) - Math (Geometry) - Social Studies (World History) - Science (Biology) - Foreign Language - Elective 11th grade (6 credits) - English (includes literature, writing, grammar) - Math (Algebra 2) - Social Studies (American History) - Science (Chemistry) - Foreign Language - Elective 12th grade (5 credits) - English (includes literature, writing, grammar) - Math (Trig / Pre-Calculus) - Social Studies (Government/Economics) - Computer Tech or Fine Arts - Elective Now, the harder part is to figure out how you want to accomplish each credit. You'll want to take into consideration WHY you are homeschooling this student, and also consider the student's learning style or any special learning needs and educational interests. You will find here are so many options for fulfilling those credits: - standard textbooks/programs - "distance learning" DVD programs or satellite courses taught by an instructor - homeschool co-op - online classes - virtual or homeschool charter schools (provide you materials, grading, assistance) - community college dual enrollment (usually for ages 16 and up) - community experiences/programs to count as part of educational course credit - create your own course from a mix of the above Once you have decided how you want to accomplish each credit and you get started, you'll need to put on your "administrator hat", and keep up some basic paperwork: - log hours, or a keep a weekly schedule of what work was done - record grades - list books, materials, outside hours, etc. used to accomplish each class Since you are just getting started, you might want to read through a book or two on homeschooling high school to help answer your questions as you go along. Below is a past thread which has links to other threads on getting started homeschooling high school. Again, welcome! and BEST of luck -- and ENJOY your homeschool high school adventures! Warmest regards, Lori D. HSLDA list of articles on homeschooling high school = http://www.hslda.org/highschool/ A to Z's Home Cool Homeschooling, great list of homeschooling in GA resources = http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Georgia.htm ???s About Starting High School (links to a number of past helpful threads with lists of resources) = http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1653781#poststop Edited January 17, 2011 by Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 PS -- I note that you list YOUR location as Chattanooga TN -- will you be homeschooling the high schooler in TN or in GA? You'll need to follow the state laws of whatever state you are living in while you homeschool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicmom Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I don't have any experience with your particular situation, since I've homeschooled all the way through, but here's what I (and the experienced homeschoolers in my area) would recommend to get started: --Contact your state homeschool organization--they should have a wealth of info on how to homeschool in your state, and they should have all the details on what testing is required. You can easily find state organizations and their contact info on the HSLDA website: www.hslda.org. --Check out the other information on the HSLDA website; they have a whole section on homeschooling high school, and a whole section on testing. I don't know what test it is that your dd has to take, but if it's a standardized achievement test, don't worry about trying to find out what's on it (you can't really). Instead, focus on her academics through the courses you plan, and then look for test prep materials that would help with test-taking skills. Testing companies may have these--or your local bookstore or library might. --Check your local library (or bookstore) for books on homeschooling high school. There are several that will help you figure out how to plan courses and how to determine credits. The one I used and found very helpful is Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission, by Jeanne Gowen Dennis. These will give you a general feel for what you're doing and hopefully answer some of your questions to get you started right away. Also hang out on this forum and search through the threads for topics you have questions on, and you'll gain a wealth of information and advice here. If you're worried about how to count that first half of 9th grade, you can give her semester credits for the classes she took at the PS, then give semester credits for the classes you give her at home this semester--following whatever credit system is typical for your state. A transcript from the school might be helpful for that. HTH... and welcome to home schooling! You can do it! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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