FLORIDA? (Transcript/Portfolio Umbrella Schools, Bright Futures etc...)

[Guest Boguesmom]

Hi,

I'm new to forums.

 

A friend suggested I post and get some feedback from experienced moms as I am a bit anxious about creating my ds' transcript.

( Actually I have already "created" it in a non static document, I am just not sure who to get it "approved" by once he has completed his coursework )

 

I have heard so many different things from so many different parents, but each is using a different umbrella school with different criteria or their student have high enough SATs that it does not matter. I am not sure who to contact, what to include, if or how I am to appropriately document my son's transcript with additional materials from his portfolio and if I can avoid an umbrella school.

 

I am curious if there is any definitive resource on this part of the process?

 

I am also interested in the wording on the Bright Futures Scholarship making it sound like unless your SAT/ACT score is higher than a certain number an "accredited" school has to validate your transcript.

 

Has anyone has done Bright Futures without an umbrella school? Can a local public or private high school do this for free or even a reasonable handling fee?

 

One FL umbrella school quoted me $700 to stamp their accredited approval on it. ( I understand their liablity and cost I just would like to avoid it or find a more reasonably priced validation )

 

Any experience or resources you could refer me to would be helpful.

 

Susan in So FL

[2cents]

I'm in FL and my son scored 31 on the ACT and with that score he qualifies for full Bright Futures. We aren't using an umbrella and never have. My son has been dual-enrolled in college for grades 10, 11 and 12 and we only worked with the college for the dual enrollment. He took a college admittance test and was able to take any classes he wanted. I'm keeping a High School 'transcript' for my son but it might not be really important because he has been taking the college classes for 3 yrs. The Bright Futures helps pay for college and depending on the SAT or ACT scores, you get certain % of tuition and other college costs paid. There are also some volunteer requirements. The volunteer requirements are pretty specific so you will need to check what is acceptable and what documentation you'll need. My son is doing his 75 hrs at the public library teaching seniors the computer. The volunteer hours need to be completed prior to HS graduation. We've never had to deal with any public high schools for any of this. As far as contacts, we've only dealt with the college dual enrollment admin. and the usual annual reporting to the school district homeschool liason. Hope this helps! :)

[Paz]

Did your son taking his foreign language requirment at the college? I am just wondering because I was under the assumption that there has to be some outside documentation for foreign language class to count for bright futures, that it just couldn't be taught at home. Is that true?

[Sandra in FL]

just an unofficial "home school" transcript? From what I've heard, UF will only look at credits from accredited schools so if your dc took an AP class from Pennsylvannia Home Schoolers, this AP class would not strengthen his/her application. Also, since the state universities don't use AP scores for admission even a "5" would not help for admission. After reading these emails, my dc will probably have to go to ps for high school (especially in these economic times since we can't depend on scholarships and only state unis would be affordable). These are emails sent from the UF admissions office:

 

If the AP coursework is not from an accredited institution, then we will not use it in our academic evaluation. However, if the student sits for the AP exam and scores high enough, they can be awarded college credit for the AP test score(s), if the student is admitted.

 

Sincerely,

 

Garrett Beatty

Admissions Officer

Office of Admissions

University of Florida

http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu'>http://www.admissions.ufl.edu

352-392-1365

 

-----Original Message-----

 

Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:43 AM

To: Beatty,Garrett F

Subject: Re: home school admission question

 

Dear Mr. Beatty,

 

If the home school student proves proficiency via SAT II subject exam and/or 2 full years of accredited coursework in the required subjects, how does UF view any additional College Board approved AP classes (not from a regionally accredited institution)? Would UF view them as AP-level work (that would strengthen the application)?

 

Thanks,

Sandra

 

On Dec 9, 2008, at 9:25 AM, Beatty,Garrett F wrote:

 

Sandra,

 

In order for us to count coursework towards a student's academic

record, the coursework must be completed through a regionally

accredited institution. FLVS is regionally accredited, as are most

public high schools.

 

If home school students do not meet the minimum requirement for

accredited course work then the student can prove proficiency by

taking an SAT II subject exam for the subject areas they have not

met the requirement. Students must have a minimum of 2 full years

of accredited coursework in English, Math (Algebra 1 or higher),

Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language (must be the same

Foreign Language in a sequence, i.e. Spanish 1 and Spanish 2,

German 1 and German 2, etc.) in order to be exempt from the SAT II

subject exams.

 

Sincerely,

 

Garrett Beatty

Admissions Officer

Office of Admissions

University of Florida

http://www.admissions.ufl.edu

352-392-1365

 

-----Original Message-----

 

Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:48 AM

To: Beatty,Garrett F

Subject: Re: home school admission question

 

Dear Mr. Beatty,

 

Do you mean that UF

 

1) doesn't view College Board approved AP classes as AP classes if

they are not from one of the agencies below (or from FLVS or a

public high school)?

 

2) only accepts home schoolers who have all their courses from

either FLVS, a public high school, dual-enrollment or one of the

agencies listed below?

 

Thanks,

Sandra

 

On Dec 8, 2008, at 9:43 AM, Beatty,Garrett F wrote:

 

Sandra,

 

Based on the information I garnered from their website, Pennsylvania

Home Schoolers is not accredited by a regional accrediting agency and

therefore we would not be able to count their courses as accredited

course work. You will want to look for schools that are

accredited by

one of the following agencies.

 

Middle States Commission on Higher Education http://www.msche.org

 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on

Institutions of Higher Education http://www.neasc.org

 

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools The Higher Learning

Commission http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

 

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities http://

http://www.nwccu.org

 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

http://www.sacscoc.org

 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission

for

Senior Colleges and Universities http://www.wascweb.org

 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission

for

Community and Junior Colleges http://www.accjc.org

 

Sincerely,

 

Garrett Beatty

Admissions Officer

Office of Admissions

University of Florida

http://www.admissions.ufl.edu

352-392-1365

 

 

-----Original Message-----

 

Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 10:02 AM

To: OUR Web Requests

Subject: home school admission question

 

Hi,

 

For home schoolers, do you treat AP (College Board approved) courses

from online sources (such as Pennsylvania Home Schoolers) the same as

FLVS or high school AP classes? Some AP classes are not offered at

the local high school or on FLVS.

 

Thanks,

Sandra

[Laura R (FL)]

Have you tried contacting the folks at fpea.com? I'm sure they have resources to answer your questions.

 

After reading Sandra's responses from UF, I'm glad my dd is enrolled in an accredited FL umbrella/private school...sheesh! What a nightmare that could become!

[stephanier.1765]

My son was accepted into UNF with a mom made transcript. No questions asked and I didn't provide any additional materials. He's now a Junior.

[Sandra in FL]

nt

[stephanier.1765]

nt

 

Nothing out of the ordinary. He took a couple of classes via the Florida Virtual School. His SAT score was good but nothing that would blow any socks off.

[Joan in GE]

Have you tried contacting the folks at fpea.com? I'm sure they have resources to answer your questions.

 

After reading Sandra's responses from UF, I'm glad my dd is enrolled in an accredited FL umbrella/private school...sheesh! What a nightmare that could become!

 

 

Could I ask which one? I'm looking at them now as I want to make sure we don't have problems.

 

It's actually hard to find one that is accredited by the agencies he listed...that allows freedom of choice with curriculum and is not astronomically priced...

 

Best,

Joan

[K-FL]

Sandra & I were discussing 600 or umbrellas on another thread.

 

As to UF, they're the toughest of the state schools to get in. I know ps kids w/good grades, etc. who had to cc--I think 2 yrs for the AA--to get in UF as a transfer when they could have gone right into UCF (for example.) They're (at least mentally) on the "Little Iveys" list, like U of Mich.

[Joan in GE]

Dear K-FL, I did look at that thread, but there it seems that it was the 600 schools and a few umbrella schools like NARHS and Crossroads Christian and Home Life Academy, but none of those are accredited by the accrediting agencies listed in the email from UF...

 

So since Laura says that hers was accredited, I was wondering if she had found one that was accredited by any of the agencies listed on the post above - namely:

 

Middle States Commission on Higher Education http://www.msche.org

 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on

Institutions of Higher Education http://www.neasc.org

 

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools The Higher Learning

Commission http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

 

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities http://

www.nwccu.org

 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

http://www.sacscoc.org

 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission

for

Senior Colleges and Universities http://www.wascweb.org

 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission

for

Community and Junior Colleges http://www.accjc.org

 

 

I did look at the Florida homeschoolers website but couldn't find that info either - maybe too impatient...

 

Anyway, I'm looking for this more serious accreditation type of school as my son will have to either present a high school diploma over here and it needs to be well recognized, or present one back in the US and I don't want to have to backpeddle if it is at all possible....and not too exhorbitant...

 

Best,

Joan

[mchel210]

You dont need to be in an umbrella school for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

 

 

Home Education Applicants

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

State Scholarships and Grants

Office of Student Financial Assistance

Florida Department of Education

 

 

Eligibility criteria for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship specify that a student must have earned "a standard Florida high school diploma…unless the student completes a home education program according to s. 1002.41." [section 1009.531 (1) (b), Florida Statutes] In lieu of the diploma, all home educated students must be registered with the district where they reside for grades 11 and 12. In addition, students must meet the general requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

The documentation listed below is required for the initial eligibility evaluation of students who are home educated and wish to be evaluated for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.

Required Documentation

 

 

• Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). Submit a completed FFAA online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org during the student’s last year in a home education curriculum (after December 1st of the last year and prior to graduation) or call toll-free at 1-888-827-2004 to request a hardcopy application form. The application gives the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) permission to evaluate the student's high school transcript(s) for eligibility for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
  
• SAT or ACT. Test scores of tests taken through the end of June of the student's last year in a home education curriculum will be admissible for a Bright Futures evaluation. Submit scores to FDOE in one of the following ways (preferably the first):
  
  • Request the test scores be sent to one of Florida’s 11 state universities when the student registers for the SAT or ACT. These scores will be sent to the FDOE repository.
    
  • Include the official copy (no photocopies) of the test scores in the original sealed envelope with this documentation.
    

   

   

  NOTE: When applying as a home-educated student, the test score requirement for each scholarship is as follows:

   

  Florida Academic Scholars award - 1270 SAT (excluding the writing section) or 28 ACT (excluding the writing section)

   

  Florida Medallion Scholars award -

   

  • Have a best combined score of 1070 SAT (excluding the writing section) or 23 ACT (excluding the writing section)

    Or

     

    
    

  • Have a best combined score of 970 SAT (excluding the writing section) or 20 ACT (excluding the writing section) with a weighted 3.0 GPA in the above 15 required credits (documented through Florida public, FDOE-registered private, FLVS or Florida dual enrollment transcripts)
    

   

  [*]District confirmation of registration of a home-educated student for 11th and 12th grades (click here to download form). In order to be eligible as a home education student, a student must provide verification of 11th and 12th grade county registration. However, if the student has the minimum transcript information from a Florida public and/or FDOE-registered private school, and test scores, he/she may be able to apply as a Florida GED Diploma recipient. (Visit http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/gedpac.htm to view the requirements for a GED applicant.)

  [*]Documentation of 75 community service hours, if applicable. To qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars award, a student must complete 75 hours of community service during high school, by high school graduation. The agencies where the community service hours were earned must provide documentation on agency letterhead.

   

 

The Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application will be received by the Florida Department of Education online. Mail the hardcopy FFAA and/or other documentation to:

Florida Department of Education

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 70

Tallahassee, FL 32303-4759

Attn: Ms. Beverly Lahtinen

 

The Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/ssfad/bf/ provides detailed Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program information. Please keep in mind that the student's initial scholarship eligibility cannot be improved upon after high school graduation. Questions may be directed to our office at OSFA@fldoe.org or via our toll-free number at 1-888-827-2004.

 

 

General Requirements to Receive Bright Futures Awards

 

 

• Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, as determined by the student's postsecondary institution.
  
• Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent.
  
• Be accepted by and enroll in an eligible Florida public or independent postsecondary education institution within 3 years of high school graduation. If you enlist directly into the military after graduation, your three-year period begins on the date you separated from active duty.
  
• Be enrolled for at least 6 semester credit hours or the equivalent in quarter hours or clock hours.
  
• Not have been found guilty of, or plead nolo contendere to, a felony charge, unless the student has been granted clemency by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Executive Office of Clemency.
  
• Apply for a scholarship from the program by high school graduation.
  

 

[K-FL]

Joan,

Is there a particular reason your ds wants UF? If he'll be doing any flying back home, Gainesville is not easy to get to! Just about any of the other state schools are better for that. You may also want to check New College of Florida--it's the honors college. FYI it is on many of the more liberal lists (Reefer Madness, etc) w/Princeton's Review.

[Laura R (FL)]

U of FL can be very selective because of the high number of applicants. There are a number of potential freshman that are rejected from all types of schools. Most students I know have opted to go in as transfers (which I also did back in the day, but for financial reasons).

 

The umbrella school that I am with is Circle Christian School. It is accredited, there is freedom of curriculum, but expensive varies from family to family.

[Joan in GE]

Dear Laura, K-FL and Michelle,

 

Thank you for your thoughts and answers.

 

The scholarship info is interesting but I'm not even there yet (but I've saved it for future reference!).

 

My dh's sister lives in FL. Though not my favorite state (I like seasons with greater variation), it is feasible we could end up there. My ds is feeling all this anxiety about not being accepted. It doesn't help that his (2nd) brother is attending a top notch Swiss university (who went the private school route here). So he wants to be able to do what his brother is doing (either here or in the US - as we don't know if dh will get a job in the US or not - with the economy the way it is there is even more uncertainty) because he sees what he is learning (engineering).

 

There aren't many drugs where his brother is and drugs are a concern for me (my oldest saw lots in his private school and university and is not unscathed, my nephew went a druggy route after being homeschooled, and my brother did too and he was in public school). So thanks for that tip.

 

My accreditation concern is partly based on trying to get him into the Swiss uni where his brother is (they require a high school diploma {but have no familiarity with home school diplomas} and 5 AP tests) OR the university of his (and our) choice in the US (because I think dh really wants to go back as he still doesn't speak French). So my thoughts were that if we take the route with the most qualifications (I'm not sure that is the right word) possible while still having the freedom of designing his curriculum (I just cannot follow 100% correspondance schools and think that you lose the freedom possible in hs for interesting detours)....I do not know if this is possible or worthwhile.

 

I think I suffer from lack of information, too many possibilities, and too much uncertainty. I think it didn't help seeing what Georgia Tech (since he is interested in engineering and architecture) was requiring of hs'd students. It seems that universities keep changing their requirements, making them increasingly stringent. So I want to be prepared for 3 years from now.

 

Having attended both a small state college and a large one with a better reputation, I have to say that there was a vast difference in level of expectations and professionalism in the class, material covered, etc. Though I have to say that at the large one, we did start out with a Chinese maternal tongue graduate student Spanish instructor from whom I learned almost nothing until the students complained and then we got a top notch lady. (So that would have been worse than the small college).

 

I really appreciate you ladies helping me on this as I like to forget about the issue and concern myself with day-to-day lessons. Then every so often, my ds's anxieties manifest and I think "I just have to figure this out". We're doing hours (7:30 - 4:30) and hard work but I still don't have the grading thing down. He is being stretched and learning lots (so am I) and I want that to be evident to those administrators....while somehow making his life a more interesting learning experience instead of just by the book (though so far it is mostly by books).

 

Thanks again,

Joan

[Guest cegrogan]

Sure would be nice to talk with Tebow's mom. He was homeschooled and accepted to UF and is now the football star. Anyone have access to his mom, I understand they are missionaries somewhere.

[K-FL]

Sure would be nice to talk with Tebow's mom. He was homeschooled and accepted to UF and is now the football star. Anyone have access to his mom, I understand they are missionaries somewhere.

 

I bet UF was helping every step of the way to get him to sign. They were missionaries in the Philippines, but I thought they were in the US full time now.

[Laura R (FL)]

Yep, I think football star is the operative term there! LOL!! :lol:

 

I'm sure they had no problem with his transcript...