Discouraged about high school plan after considering PS at home

[bluedarling]

OK...I know my first problem is that I'm not confident enough in homeschooling that I'm investigating public school at home options...

 

However, even if I don't end up going that route, they've uncovered some concerns!!

 

1) Rosetta Stone. I have my 9th grader doing Rosetta Stone this year for Foreign Language. They say no credit is accepted anywhere in our state for Rosetta Stone. Its a good program, but not acceptable for high school credit. (sob) So...he gets no credit for all the hours he's put into this? Is there a way to redeem our work?

 

2) If I decide to go with them, they have to verify that everything we did is actually at a high school level before they'll award credits. Its not!! I know its not....its where my child is at!! He's in pre-algebra, and WWS1. So, because all his work isn't at a high school level he gets no credit?? High schools offer remedial classes! Why can't my child get credit for remedial work?? I already held him back in 8th grade as not ready...so he's turning 16 at the end of his 9th grade year. He is where he is....I could have put him in a high school program....I felt the other stuff was a better fit....so now what? They made it sound like he may be an extra year graduating!! That would make him 20 when he graduates! (Just because I didn't choose the right level curriculum for "credit"??)

 

If I keep homeschooling...can I award "credits" for these? Will colleges accept them if the public high schools do not?

 

If it helps for guidance, he'd like to go to college, but he's a slow worker...he will likely start at community college (though he is looking at universities as well), and move at a slower pace (less credits at a time). He is interested in robotics, but doesn't really have the needed math....I thought he'd improve once we hit algebra, but so far (pre-algebra) its not looking promising....he's extremely accurate, just slow...in everything. (Gifted learner with processing issues.)

 

My 10th grade plan (if I homeschool):

Math - Algebra I

English - outside class (IEW)

Science - outside class (Apologia Biology)

History - Beautiful Feet US/World 2 (minus some literature/add some movies, since he has literature in outside English class, too)

Foreign Language 2 (WAS THE PLAN...before I found out Rosetta Stone is useless.)

Fine Art - Orchestra (2nd year)

and maybe Health as well

 

Suggestions?

[NASDAQ]

Rosetta Stone is a nice enough program, but it isn't the equivalent of a high school level language course.

 

It's very focused on stock phrases and so forth for travel. That's fine, but a high school level course should include grammar. The student should be producing written work for a teacher.

 

How to redeem what he's done? Well, I'd suggest using the experience and practice he's had and taking it to a venue that he _can_ gain credit from -- perhaps local language courses?

[creekland]

Doing 4 years of Rosetta Stone didn't even have my oldest testing out of a first semester course in college. It's definitely no surprise that it isn't worth credit anywhere. It's the one major regret I have with homeschooling as it was pretty much wasted time. Middle son learned more his senior year when we just checked "Learn Spanish" books out of the library vs the $$$ we put into Rosetta Stone.

 

But I digress...

 

Around here, no credits are given for high school when one chooses to homeschool unless one takes accredited classes somewhere. Anyone needs to start at 9th grade even if they have fabulous test scores, etc. We know once we start 9th grade that's we're in it until the end. Since my youngest chose to return to ps, he did it when he reached 9th grade.

 

Is there a private school around you that might be more flexible?

 

Yes, a few kids in the high school take remedial classes, but lately, with state testing requirements and NCLB, the vast majority are in high school level courses. Unless laws change, with this year's 8th grade class, they'll need to pass high school level state tests in order to graduate. Many of us wonder how this will play out with those who can't do it - it doesn't look pretty in the future, but things could change. Time will tell.

[8filltheheart]

Will colleges accept them if the public high schools do not?

 

If it helps for guidance, he'd like to go to college, but he's a slow worker...he will likely start at community college (though he is looking at universities as well), and move at a slower pace (less credits at a time). He is interested in robotics, but doesn't really have the needed math....I thought he'd improve once we hit algebra, but so far (pre-algebra) its not looking promising....he's extremely accurate, just slow...in everything. (Gifted learner with processing issues.)

 

In your sig: "The Expert (even if he isn't)" 15yob, LD "Written Expression" + HF spectrum?: MUS Pre-Alg, WWSI, Grammar for MS, BF US & World I, Apologia Phys Sci

 

 

 

I'm going to apologize up front and say my response is going to be brutally blunt. If you don't want to hear that sort of reply, then please don't read it. But, my response is based on your post as well as your signature and being the parent of a high functioning autistic/Asperger's adult with very slow processing speeds (but my ds has zero remedial academic issues and is a strong academic student) that wishes I had had more realistic expectations when our ds was your ds's age.

 

I would urge you to re-evaluate your ds's career goals. Robotics is going to require very high levels of math and math-intensive sciences. Pre-alg is a skill that most students are able to master by age 12-13. Your ds sounds like many of the young adult Aspies that struggle with math that we have encountered in our ds's support groups. It is not uncommon. However, it does mean that math intensive careers are going to be very unrealistic.

 

The second issue is the processing speed issues. Our ds is pretty much unemployable in regular competitive job market type employment. He is a hard worker. He is diligent. He is accurate. But he is also very methodical and slow. Unless they are employed in a situation that accommodates them for slow output, they will not be able to keep their jobs b/c employers are paying them with the expectation that they will be producing at the same level as the next employee that they could have hired. Again, this is not an uncommon problem amg HFA/Aspies. Our ds's Dept of Rehabilitation counselor told us that he has multiple clients with that diagnosis with multiple college degrees that cannot stay employed b/c they cannot perform at actual career level expectations of "output pace." They are let go b/c employers need high-performing career professionals.

 

If I could do high school over again, I would have worked with our ds to develop a specialized skill that would have lead to a specific career objective by the end of high school.......whether a trade-skill or an entrepreneurial interest that could have been developed into a career.

 

I know that doesn't answer your question about high school foreign lang and high school credits. But, I think seeing the bigger picture will help you find a better plan forward.

[morningcoffee]

If I could do high school over again, I would have worked with our ds to develop a specialized skill that would have lead to a specific career objective by the end of high school.......whether a trade-skill or an entrepreneurial interest that could have been developed into a career.

 

 

I'm not the OP but thankyou for your sharing your experience. Can you elaborate on what trades or jobs might be good for someone who is methodical but slow?

[SailorMom]

Well (if the classes are not accredited) - where I live they supposedly take each case individually - I guess they leave it up to the principal of the school... However, from what I hear, kids have to take end of course exams for any classes that require them (here, I know it's biology, algebra 1, and geometry) in order to even consider getting credit for them. Other classes, the principal can require ANY kind of proof they deem fitting. That could mean passing other sorts of exams, portfolio reviews, etc.

After that is said and done, it is completely up to the principal as to whether credits will be given (even with passing tests).

I told my son in 8th grade that he needed to decide that year if he wanted to EVER go back to high school. It was 9th or never. He chose to stay home, and he knows now there is no going to high school.

He has quite a few LD's so I have to say, I think he's doing far better a home that he ever could academically at school...

As for what you can or need to do,,,,

Well - perhaps you could give him 1/2 credit for the Spanish as an elective? Like "Conversational Spanish"? Don't think of it as wasted, he still had all the exposure to the language and it may really help him in the class he takes next year. It certainly didn't hurt.

Only 2 years of foreign language are required at state schools here, and NO languages are required to graduate high school - so you're not behind at all.

Other classes - yes - they do offer remedial classes at the high school, but in Florida - in order to get a full diploma (Florida has 3 levels and a really weird system), a student has to take algebra and geometry. Only two math credits are actually required to graduate. So - those two are the math credits they actually get. I'm not sure what kind of credit they get for the other classes, but I think they may end up counting as electives.

English is easier - basic language arts and literature at the high school are really LOW level! At least here they are.

Anyway - you may feel like you're spinning your wheels, but he is fine. Count the math and Spanish from this year as electives and move on.

I honestly wouldn't want to put your son back into ps high school at this point. He would probably be very discouraged.

As for you giving him credit - yes - you can. But - it really depends on each individual college as to what they take from a non-accredited homeschool diploma. I know my plan right now is to have DS diploma, but to back it up as much as possible with SAT II's, ACT scores, and SAT scores. He plans to dual enroll at the community college here, so those grades will be on there as well. My son doesn't plan to straight to a 4 year school (for money reasons if nothing else), so I think that will make the transition much easier and his high school diploma won't matter all that much when he is a transfer student.

As for Robotics - your DS needs to know what will be necessary and required - and then he can deicide. If he wants it badly enough, he'll want to work for it. It may take him longer to get there, but that's up to him, in my opinion. Don't cushion it for him - he needs to know now what he'll have to do. This is better than finding out his senior year that there is no way he is prepared to go that route.

Hang in there <<<hugs>>>

[bluedarling]

Is there a private school around you that might be more flexible?

 

Yes, a few kids in the high school take remedial classes, but lately, with state testing requirements and NCLB, the vast majority are in high school level courses.

 

We cannot afford a private school...part of the reason I was considering public school at home was that they would pay for his orchestra class, for which the cost increases next year. Good thought, though! I do know of some kids around here who have used the Christian school around here specifically because they are very good at working with homeschoolers and transitioning them. Its just financially not an option for us.

 

OK...I'm starting to get the picture. That explanation helps. Thanks. (Though I still think regardless of what curriculum I used, he's still more literate than many of the kids I knew in high school!) But I don't think either of us have the determination to prove it!

[bluedarling]

I'm going to apologize up front and say my response is going to be brutally blunt. If you don't want to hear that sort of reply, then please don't read it. But, my response is based on your post as well as your signature and being the parent of a high functioning autistic/Asperger's adult with very slow processing speeds (but my ds has zero remedial academic issues and is a strong academic student) that wishes I had had more realistic expectations when our ds was your ds's age.

 

 

I think you have responded similarly to me before. I am listening...we are in the process of getting a diagnosis...just in case! (He turns 16 this week, and the doc wanted to wait and test him as an adult.) I am not expecting the expectations to be too high for my child, but I also want to be prepared in case it is. I am glad you are honest with me! It did influence me to paying the $1200-$1600 its going to cost to get him diagnosed...money we don't really have, but I need to know. Hopefully those results will also help paint a better picture of what we should expect.

 

I would urge you to re-evaluate your ds's career goals. Robotics is going to require very high levels of math and math-intensive sciences. Pre-alg is a skill that most students are able to master by age 12-13. Your ds sounds like many of the young adult Aspies that struggle with math that we have encountered in our ds's support groups. It is not uncommon. However, it does mean that math intensive careers are going to be very unrealistic.

 

 

He's starting to realize that on his own. His brother is very into computer programming...he finds that way too much work. I bought the two of them a programmable robot for Christmas, and it is mostly used by the younger brother. He admits to needing to up his math, and has recently started doubling the number of math lessons to try to catch up...I'm kinda playing this one by ear to see how badly he wants this! We did give up on him taking a robotics class next year with an algebra pre-req...but if he can get through Algebra next year....(if not, it will be time to reconsider!) I remember struggling with math facts when I was younger, so I was hoping once he was past that, he'd take off...that's what happened with me....but its not looking promising. He doesn't really "struggle"....he gets the concepts...he just is SLOW.

 

The second issue is the processing speed issues. Our ds is pretty much unemployable in regular competitive job market type employment. He is a hard worker. He is diligent. He is accurate. But he is also very methodical and slow. Unless they are employed in a situation that accommodates them for slow output, they will not be able to keep their jobs b/c employers are paying them with the expectation that they will be producing at the same level as the next employee that they could have hired. Again, this is not an uncommon problem amg HFA/Aspies. Our ds's Dept of Rehabilitation counselor told us that he has multiple clients with that diagnosis with multiple college degrees that cannot stay employed b/c they cannot perform at actual career level expectations of "output pace." They are let go b/c employers need high-performing career professionals.

 

 

Well, that's what I recall you mentioning before. My son definitely has processing issues!! So, I am taking this in as a possibility....but I'm not willing to admit it is fact, yet! I've had a friend who had him on a scout project say he was the best worker out there....he's doing great with orchestra class....I'm not ruling out that this COULD happen to him, but I'm not willing to plan for it, either.

 

If I could do high school over again, I would have worked with our ds to develop a specialized skill that would have lead to a specific career objective by the end of high school.......whether a trade-skill or an entrepreneurial interest that could have been developed into a career.

 

 

We were considering that at one point...and that discussion kinda led him to electronics technician, he moved that into "robotics" by his interest. He's not planning to be a robotics engineer, but a technician. But you are right that even that may not be feasible...it is difficult to imagine a technician that wasn't expected to work under time pressure! But he is very good (always has been) with figuring out how things work. We really were trying to steer him that direction! A local high school offers a robotics course (but it has an algebra pre-req.) He really wanted to try to get through Algebra to take it next year, but over the last month I had to admit it wasn't going to happen no matter how motivated he was....maybe next year (program is not expected to make it another year, though.) That course would have told us if it was realistic for him!!

 

I know that doesn't answer your question about high school foreign lang and high school credits. But, I think seeing the bigger picture will help you find a better plan forward.

 

 

Thank you. Your advice is very helpful. Even if it seems I'm not listening...I am. It has put those thoughts as questions in my mind....

[Ellie]

OK...I know my first problem is that I'm not confident enough in homeschooling that I'm investigating public school at home options...

 

However, even if I don't end up going that route, they've uncovered some concerns!!

 

1) Rosetta Stone. I have my 9th grader doing Rosetta Stone this year for Foreign Language. They say no credit is accepted anywhere in our state for Rosetta Stone. Its a good program, but not acceptable for high school credit. (sob) So...he gets no credit for all the hours he's put into this? Is there a way to redeem our work?

 

"They" who? The public school people? Well, how do you know that they know?

 

A transcript does not have the name of the publisher used to cover content. I would give one credit for the year, and move on to something else..

 

2) If I decide to go with them, they have to verify that everything we did is actually at a high school level before they'll award credits. Its not!! I know its not....its where my child is at!! He's in pre-algebra, and WWS1. So, because all his work isn't at a high school level he gets no credit?? High schools offer remedial classes! Why can't my child get credit for remedial work?? I already held him back in 8th grade as not ready...so he's turning 16 at the end of his 9th grade year. He is where he is....I could have put him in a high school program....I felt the other stuff was a better fit....so now what? They made it sound like he may be an extra year graduating!! That would make him 20 when he graduates! (Just because I didn't choose the right level curriculum for "credit"??)

 

Right there is reason enough that *I* would not use a public-school-at-home program.

 

If I keep homeschooling...can I award "credits" for these? Will colleges accept them if the public high schools do not?

 

Yes, of course.

 

If it helps for guidance, he'd like to go to college, but he's a slow worker...he will likely start at community college (though he is looking at universities as well), and move at a slower pace (less credits at a time). He is interested in robotics, but doesn't really have the needed math....I thought he'd improve once we hit algebra, but so far (pre-algebra) its not looking promising....he's extremely accurate, just slow...in everything. (Gifted learner with processing issues.)

 

And there's part of your answer: He's going to start at the community college. The c.c. will make up any deficits in what he did at home.

 

My 10th grade plan (if I homeschool):

Math - Algebra I

English - outside class (IEW)

Science - outside class (Apologia Biology)

History - Beautiful Feet US/World 2 (minus some literature/add some movies, since he has literature in outside English class, too)

Foreign Language 2 (WAS THE PLAN...before I found out Rosetta Stone is useless.)

Fine Art - Orchestra (2nd year)

and maybe Health as well

 

Suggestions?

 

Looks good to me (with something different for foreign language, although he can probably take a foreign language at the c.c.; in fact, he may have to take it there regardless of what he did at home, so it isn't something to worry about).

[2boysmom]

I would agree with Ellie.

And, my humble opinion is...

You know your kid best.

Do what is right for him and forget keeping up with the local ps.

This is why we homeschool.

I'm sure your son will have a bright future with a mom who truly wants to help him succeed.

He will get there and he will be fine.

 

I'm doing something similar with my youngest son.

He has processing isssues.

He will likely go to CC. He's a hard worker.

I believe with all my heart that getting a job requires skills, yes, but more importantly, it requires a great work ethic and good attitude.

If your son has these qualities, he is further along than many of his ps counterparts.

 

Hang in there. Be brave and do what you know is right for him.

[bluedarling]

As for what you can or need to do,,,,

Well - perhaps you could give him 1/2 credit for the Spanish as an elective? Like "Conversational Spanish"? Don't think of it as wasted, he still had all the exposure to the language and it may really help him in the class he takes next year. It certainly didn't hurt.

 

 

Excellent idea! Thank you. I think I'll stop him where he's at...since he has more than half-a-credit of hours, and do that! No sense continuing with something that's not going to get him Foreign Lang credit! He'll be happy to not have to continue...he HATES it. And..I can no longer grade the tests without knowing the language. The only bummer is less credits for the year...

 

Foreign Lang. is not required here for high school graduation, either (just required by the universities). I think we will ignore this until we have a better idea what he is doing!

 

English is easier - basic language arts and literature at the high school are really LOW level! At least here they are.

 

 

Yes, that's what I'm thinking. I may be using low-level resources, but he's reading literature I never tackled in honors courses! It is a tailored course...some above and some below level. Hopefully passing the outside English class next year will validate this year being "high school level". I was concerned his writing was way below level (WWS1 is a 5th grade text), but the school tested him as "acceptable" in writing!! (That to me says the standards are pretty low...this is a child who used to have a writing disability, and I was told would never write. I fully expected them to continue to identify a writing disability...and was shocked when they said he didn't.) So...I firmly believe he's working at high school level, regardless of the resources I use to get him there!

 

Anyway - you may feel like you're spinning your wheels, but he is fine. Count the math and Spanish from this year as electives and move on.

I honestly wouldn't want to put your son back into ps high school at this point. He would probably be very discouraged.

 

 

Thank you for the encouragement. I do think we will continue at home....just too overwhelming to change at this point...for both of us! And thanks for the direction!

 

As for you giving him credit - yes - you can. But - it really depends on each individual college as to what they take from a non-accredited homeschool diploma. I know my plan right now is to have DS diploma, but to back it up as much as possible with SAT II's, ACT scores, and SAT scores. He plans to dual enroll at the community college here, so those grades will be on there as well. My son doesn't plan to straight to a 4 year school (for money reasons if nothing else), so I think that will make the transition much easier and his high school diploma won't matter all that much when he is a transfer student.

 

 

Thanks. My child tests well, so I don't expect backing up with scores to be a problem. And..he wants to do dual-enrollment because his peers at church are doing it...I've been discouraging it to give him time to be ready. In all likelihood he will not be going directly to a 4-yr university, but I would like him to be prepared if for some reason he decided to go that route.

 

As for Robotics - your DS needs to know what will be necessary and required - and then he can deicide. If he wants it badly enough, he'll want to work for it. It may take him longer to get there, but that's up to him, in my opinion. Don't cushion it for him - he needs to know now what he'll have to do. This is better than finding out his senior year that there is no way he is prepared to go that route.

Hang in there <<<hugs>>>

 

 

I think we're doing this...it just kinda hit us that maybe we weren't preparing sufficiently!! We'll just use this as a wake-up call, and press on! Thanks again.

[MtnTeaching]

Around here, no credits are given for high school when one chooses to homeschool unless one takes accredited classes somewhere. Anyone needs to start at 9th grade even if they have fabulous test scores, etc. We know once we start 9th grade that's we're in it until the end. Since my youngest chose to return to ps, he did it when he reached 9th grade.

 

 

This is exactly what our area looks like. My 16yo 10th grade ds is in a public school enrichment program on Fridays, he was inducted into the National Honor Society a few weeks ago, is a member of the National French Honor Society, is taking AP courses through Penn Homeschoolers, is on the board of the fund-raising committee of our local city library (as an invited honorary member) and had scores on the ACT that put him in the "highly selective" college category.

 

The counselor at the local high school said that as a homeschooler, ds would have a much easier time getting into college than into his high school (which is in the same district as the enrichment program.)

 

It is insane.

[8filltheheart]

Bluedarling,

 

Best wishes in finding the right path for your ds. We are still struggling. Working for Goodwill is a good match pace-wise as well as for constant positive feedback. He currently has started talking about wanting to learn how to weld. (Insert loud screeching here on our part! Blow torch and ds just don't seem like a very safe mix! He has a friend in the Navy, so that is where the idea came from.) ultimately it looks like long-term employment is going to come from Dept of Rehab placement with employers offering employment to disabled workers......then he will shine bc he is a hard-worker and diligent and his pace will be anticipated vs. unacceptable.

 

 

 

[katilac]

I would try to balance what is best for your son with what is going to appear acceptable on a transcript if he applies to 4-yr colleges. I do think that listing programs that are below level might trigger some red flags, and make it harder for your son to be accepted.

 

High school curriculum, even if it known to be basic or 'levelled' for slow workers, is going to be more acceptable than elementary or middle school curriculum. Whether or not it should be that way doesn't change the fact that it is that way, and I would work to accomodate that.

 

For example, if you are using a lit program that is far below his grade level, I would probably list the works and excerpts studied under English 1, and leave the 'program' off the list altogether.

 

I would also research every possible high school text that might be suited to his learning style and speed. As you pointed out, there are many slow workers in high school, so they definitely exist. One popular series that it is easy for individuals to buy is Power Basics by Walch Education. imo, this looks better on a transcript, and is also more encouraging to the student. You can still use other books as supplements, but I personally would want to make the move to high school texts as spines to list on his transcript.

 

I know that some people are saying it doesn't matter at all what you use, but that isn't true all of the time. In my state, you have to register under the home study option in order to get state financial aid for secondary education - which means you have to submit a transcript that includes specific books used for each class, and those books must be considered on level. Some colleges also require this level of detail, particularly for home schoolers. And, you may intend to never send him to high school, but extreme circumstances might dictate otherwise. Using high school texts is just one way to be prepared for all possibilities.

[Ellie]

My 10th grade plan (if I homeschool):

Math - Algebra I

English - outside class (IEW)

Science - outside class (Apologia Biology)

History - Beautiful Feet US/World 2 (minus some literature/add some movies, since he has literature in outside English class, too)

Foreign Language 2 (WAS THE PLAN...before I found out Rosetta Stone is useless.)

Fine Art - Orchestra (2nd year)

and maybe Health as well

 

 

Wait...I just noticed this.

 

Beautiful Feet Books' study guides don't just study literature as it relates to a specific time era. The activities/assignments/notebook work are all specific to each work. I don't know how you'd skip some of the works required and add some movies; that he has literature in an outside English class is irrelevant to the history study, seems to me. :huh:

[Catwoman]

I have a suggestion for you -- but please know that I'm not an expert on any of this, and you should definitely not take my advice without doing some serious research and double checking!

 

If you want to do a PS-at-home kind of thing, have you considered the accredited diploma programs offered by the American School (or a similar type of online or correspondence program?) They offer both college prep and general options, and their programs are extremely reasonably priced.

 

Here's a link to a thread I started recently, where I asked some questions about it, and received some very interesting answers and suggestions:

 

http://forums.welltr...or-high-school/

 

Again, I have no idea as to whether or not something like that could work for your ds, but it's self-paced and seems to be quite low-pressure, so it might be a possibility.

[bluedarling]

I would try to balance what is best for your son with what is going to appear acceptable on a transcript if he applies to 4-yr colleges. I do think that listing programs that are below level might trigger some red flags, and make it harder for your son to be accepted.

 

 

Thanks for the heads up. I think I will do my best to emphasize his literature (at level or above), and de-emphasize the lower-level resources. I think if I list the books read, and then state that he worked on outlining, notetaking, and research skills (without stating I used a 5th grade text) that should work!! Engilsh this next year is being outsourced....so hopefully if he does well in that course, it will offset any concerns. I will work at rewording his course description.

 

There's nothing I can do about his below-level math. He is where he is. I mentioned this being a real issue today...and he says he'll complete algebra over the summer. I didn't laugh...but I'll believe it when I see it! He says he really wants to catch up....we'll see. I think the reality is beginning to sink in!

 

I think those were the only two courses "below level"...I think "Physcial Science" is an acceptable 9th grade course (not grand...but it should count.) History is above-level. So...his math and Rosetta Stone don't count for much....but I suppose we can live with this. I don't think we'll need Power Basics, since English and Science will be outsourced next year. BF US/World is at level...the only thing I have to find is an acceptable form of foreign language. He says he wants to continue on with French, even though he doesn't like it, because he doesn't want to hit for the first time in college (I'm proud of him for thinking through that!)

 

Anyway, I agree with all that you said. I didn't know better...guess this is just a lesson learned on the first one through! I have another child hitting high school this year (entering 9th)...I hope to make fewer mistakes with him!

[bluedarling]

 

Wait...I just noticed this.

 

Beautiful Feet Books' study guides don't just study literature as it relates to a specific time era. The activities/assignments/notebook work are all specific to each work. I don't know how you'd skip some of the works required and add some movies; that he has literature in an outside English class is irrelevant to the history study, seems to me. :huh:

 

 

I was able to select books that shouldn't affect the "timeline" much....books with no questions, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" where he knows the basic story, etc. I'm not saying they don't "assist" the learning of the history, but he won't be missing any significant portions. He'll still be reading all the Albert Marrin books, and some literature. Many of the books were just literature-based questions, not historical questions...watching the movies on those should suffice. He is skipping 6 of 20 books!! I consider this perfectly acceptable to reduce it from 1.5 credits down to 1 credit.

[J-rap]

I'm definitely not an expert on this, so do not take this as a final answer. Also, I do not know very much about learning disorders, so cannot address that, in case that's a possible issue.

 

If you go with a PS, then that's different. But if you choose to just go with your own homeschool plan, you can certainly do whatever you want! I personally would just add a little grammar supplement to Rosetta Stone and give him a year credit! My husband is currently working with Rosetta Stone English (he is re-learning language following a stroke). I have been very impressed with the program. It works with prepositions, pronouns, it is NOT just rote travel phrases. It is a good immersion program. But, I would add a some grammar (they don't cover a lot in first year Spanish) and then call it Spanish I. You can probably get a beginning Spanish grammar workbook.

 

Pre-Algebra is usually not taught in 9th grade anymore, but sometimes it is. At the very least, it is preparing him for Algebra in 10th grade, Geometry in 11th grade, and Algebra II in 12th grade. Three of my children only went through Algebra II in high school, and one of them is currently in college. She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship at college. My point being, whether you count Pre-Algebra as a high school course or not, he is still on schedule to complete Algebra II by his senior year and that should be enough to get him into some colleges.

[Kareni]

...I think "Physcial Science" is an acceptable 9th grade course (not grand...but it should count.)

 

My daughter did Physical Science in 9th grade. (She went on to do Chemistry, a year of Geology classes at the local community college, and Environmental Science.)

 

Regards,

Kareni