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I’ll admit it.  Sometimes parents ask BIG questions on Facebook, and it’s hard to answer in a short paragraph.  If you only had a few sentences, how would you answer this new homeschool mom?

Posted on The HomeScholar Fan Page: My daughter has been in a Classical Christian school since Kindergarten. She is now going into 7th grade and we want to home school her. She is so sick and tired of filling in work sheets, and Saxon math. But I am so new to all of this, I don’t know where to go from here for curriculum. Can you recommend a good math program for a kid coming out of 6 years of  Saxon? How do I figure out what type of a learner she is? Yikes!
~Deb on Facebook

Hi Deb!

I love Sonlight Curriculum for beginners because it is so easy to use.

I have an article listing different math curriculum here: For the Love of Math.

If you have some time, this website will help with learning styles HomeEdExpert .

If you don’t like the feel of that website, then her book is 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum  and Approach for Your Child’s Learning Style by Cathy Duffy.

Lisa Baughn wrote a review of myTotal Transcript Solution. She wrote, “With Lee’s help, any home educating family can create a marvelous, intriguing, scholarship-inspiring transcript.”  Read Lisa’s Review.

Julie wrote on Facebook: “what is the difference between a SAT and a SAT Subject test?”

The SAT measures reading, writing, and general math, and it’s the college admission test.  If your state requires an annual assessment, this will probably take care of that.

The SAT Subject Tests measures just one subject, like economics or American history, or biology.  Some colleges require these tests, so look at your college requirements.

For more information: http://www.thehomescholar.com/high-school-testing.php That class will teach you about the ACT, PSAT, PLAN, SAT Subject Tests, AP, and CLEP.

Now is the best time to register your children for the Spring SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT.  I suggest children take the test between March and June of Junior year.

Information on registering for the SAT here http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/how-to-register

Information on registering for the ACT here http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html

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Using CLEP exams in high school can get complicated.

What if you just pass the CLEP exam let’s say with the score of 50?  Does that mean that you are given the college credit for that class but are also given a C on the college transcript like on an AP test?  My daughter is studying for her first CLEP and I want this figured out before we put the time and money in to it.

Thanks for your help,

~ Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Many colleges will assign a grade for AP scores.  A score of 5 is an A, a score of 4 is a B, a score of 3 is a C, and lower scores are not permitted college credit.

Some colleges will use a similar system for CLEP exams.  Most of the college policies that I have seen do NOT provide grades for CLEP scores.   A college may provide college credits for a CLEP exam without assigning a grade as long as the student passes the CLEP with a score of 50 or greater.  A college may assign a grade based on the score, obviously the higher the score the better the grade.  A college may decide not to provide college credits for CLEP at all.  In that instance, the CLEP scores are evaluated much like a SAT Subject Test – confirmation of education, rather than college credit.  Some colleges will have different policies for different CLEP tests.  In other words, some CLEP tests will be given college credit, some will be given college placement, and some tests are not used at all.

The only way to figure out how CLEP relates to college credits or college grades is to ask each individual college.

Here are some examples of various policies.  You’ll notice how I could not find an example of a college actually giving a GRADE for a CLEP score.  They seem to either give credit or not credit, and limit credit, but I did not see an example of a college providing a grade for a CLEP test.  I believe that is unusual.

• LeTourneau University:  CLEP scores provide college credit, but each test has a different score required for credit.  They don’t give a grade.
• Seattle Pacific University: CLEP Scores above 50 will give college credits, up to 45 credits total.
• Arizona State University:  CLEP Test scores are assigned a specific university course equivalency, sometimes they accept scores over 50, other scores have to be over 60.
• Missouri Southern State University:  Only CLEP Subject tests are given college credit, not CLEP General Exams
• Rutgers University: CLEP credits limited to 15 CLEP exams, and the exams and some of the departments don’t allow CLEP at all.

For each college where you might apply, go to their website and search for “Credit by Examination” or “CLEP” to read their policy thoroughly.  If you can’t find their policy, then contact the admission office and ask them directly.

That free month on the Silver Training Club that you get with the purchase of my Total Transcript Solution can can be your time to get some great homeschool high school parent training!  You even get 20 minutes of free phone consultation each week for the first month.  It is a great deal for parents who want to homeschool high school with excellence!

When you struggle with learning disabilities, it may be helpful to get an official diagnosis of learning challenges, and then pursue accommodation on the SAT college admission test.  In this previous blog post I talk about accommodation for the SAT; Accommodation for the SAT can happen, it requires a recent label from a doctor, and that there are specific rules that must be followed.

If the essay is a stumbling block, you can also opt for the ACT test without the optional essay. http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/ok-lets-review/580/. Either the SAT or ACT works equally well with college admission.  If you decide to avoid the essay during the test, you can instead have your child take plenty of time on the college application essay, perhaps even explaining their difficulty with writing.

Look at Dragon Naturally Speaking to see if it can be a solution for you in other areas of school. http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/compensate-for-learning-challenges/3003/

One of my “case studies” in learning challenges has had some good news. He was recruited by a company and offered a summer job for $30 per hour and a job upon graduation for over $80K. He’s not sure about the money, because he has other goals in his sites now! His leaning challenges were all-consuming in high school. Now things seem to be working out pretty well All that to say, Hang in there!

One of my facebook friends asked me a question to help her understand how to help her high school junior.

Hi Lee, Do you know anything about having a special needs kid take the SAT’s? My oldest son has fine motor issues which makes handwriting very difficult. I know the SAT essay is handwritten so I am considering getting him labeled but I don’t know what that will mean for the SAT’s. He is a Junior now so I need to figure it out soon.

Thanks ~ Jeannine

Check out the link to the college board to find out about accommodation: CollegeBoard Services for Students with Disabilities. Since he is a junior, it may be tough to get accommodation for this year. You might consider having him take the ACT this spring (junior year is the normal time) and then take the SAT next year if he gets the accommodation issue straightened out.

Read to what others are saying about The HomeScholar Gold Care Club!

It’s that time of the year again!!  The FAFSA should be completed every year, from the time your eldest is a senior until your youngest graduates from college, unless your children that go to a college that does not need or require it.  (Assume they need it for the first year.  Our full tuition scholarship meant I never had to fill it out again!)

Here is general information about the FAFSA

If you haven’t gotten it already, get your FAFSA PIN now, because it takes a while to get to you – it’s sort of like requesting a social security card.  Get one for you and one for your child. FAFSA PIN

You can practice filling out the FAFSA now, before you do it for real.  Here is the information I received about that:

FAFSA will be releasing access to its practice site on December 12, 2010. This site allows students and parents to train themselves on the FAFSAapplication, providing users with a more comfortable navigation of the actual process after January 1st. The test site is fafsademo.test.ed.gov. Use the following login information for your practice:

User name: eddemo
Password: fafsatest

Fill out the FAFSA every year on January 1st, estimating your financial information.   After you do your taxes each year, just update your financial information at that time.  Getting the estimate in on January 1st can increase your chances of financial aid – remember that money is often first-come, first-served.

Curious about The HomeScholar? Read more on our About Us page!

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  You can get information at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Here are the basics:

• Completing the FAFSA feels like filling out the IRS tax forms.
• Filling out the FAFSA can result in significant financial aid, even if you aren’t low income.
• The federal government uses the information to determine how much money they think you can afford to pay for college.  Isn’t THAT a laughable concept!  Ha!
• It is also used by many colleges (not all)  to determine financial aid you may receive.
• Fill out the FAFSA on January 1st of the student’s senior year of high school, and make that your New Year’s Day tradition.   Repeat that process every January 1st until your youngest child has graduated college.
• To fill out the FAFSA, you need a special PIN number.  Apply for the PIN in December or earlier.  You can apply for a PIN here:  http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

The Comprehensive Record Solution provides the training and templates and real life examples of successful high school records.  Grab it before the price goes up on Monday!

We had a wonderful launch of the Comprehensive Record Solution on Monday. This week we have been offering a special $97 “launch price” for this amazing product.  On Tuesday, Dec 7, however the price is going up to the regular price of $147.  Don’t miss your opportunity to snag this game-changing product at the special introductory price.  Find out why Annie-Kate said “I’m sure the investment will pay off handsomely for almost every homeschooling family that does not have transcripts, records, and portfolios completely under control…and maybe even for some that do.”

The Comprehensive Record Solution provides what you need to create HOMESCHOOL RECORDS to amaze and impress the colleges.

In just a few hours the website will open up for orders of my latest solution, The Comprehensive Record Solution.    You can preview it now so that at noon you will have all the information you need to JUMP on those Fast Mover Bonuses.  Just remember, the order button will go live at exactly 12 Noon Pacific Time!

Here is the link: http://www.ComprehensiveRecordSolution.com

Here’s a summary of what you get with The Comprehensive Record Solution:

Module 1: Encourage

“Getting Acquainted” (Video or Audio Download)
“Why Bother Make a Comprehensive Record?” (Video or Audio Download)
The HomeScholar Sample Comprehensive Record E-book (PDF)
Samples of Success E-book (PDF)

Module 2: Equip
Comprehensive Record Template
Course Description Collection E-Book
HomeScholar Library of Standard Courses

Module 3: Educate
The Easy Truth About Course Descriptions E-book (PDF)
“Elements of a Comprehensive Record” (Video or Audio Download)
“Dealing with Special Situations” (Video or Audio Download)
“Submitting your Comprehensive Record to the Colleges” (Video or Audio Download)
“Turning Transcripts into Course Descriptions” (Video or Audio Download)
“How to Avoid Writing Course Descriptions” (Video or Audio Download)
“Putting it All Together” (Video or Audio Download)

Module 4: Empower
4 twenty-minute private phone consultations in the first 30 days after your purchase.
Call my toll-free number and we can talk about your ideas or issues.
Email me a document if you want to review it together.

Remember that EVERYONE who purchases will get these exciting bonuses!

Bonus 1
Making a High School Transcript Audio Course – a $15 value

Bonus 2
The “One-Hour Transcript” Workshop – - a $20 value.

Bonus 3
The HomeScholar High School Resource Pack – a $35 value.

Bonus 4
“Record Keeping” Video Training – a $20 value

Bonus 5
Answers to Your Questions on Grades, Credits and Records – a $20 value

Bonus 6
FREE trial membership in The Gold Care Club – valued at over $600

And we have the AMAZING Fast Mover Bonuses available only to the first 50 homeschool families that place an order!

GRAND PRIZE

*The HomeScholar Comprehensive Review of your Comprehensive Record (First 1) – a $500 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 1
“Preparing to Homeschool High School” DVD (First 3) – a $57 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 2
“Setting the Records Straight” Book (First 5) – a $25 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 3
“Getting the BIG Scholarships” DVD (First 7) – a $20 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 4
“Finding a College” DVD (First 9) – a $20 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 5
“Making the Grades” Online Training Class (First 25) – a $15 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 6
“Planning High School Courses” Online Training Class (First 50) – a $15 value

Fast Mover **Bonus 7
*”Keys to High School Success” Online Training Class (First 50) – Value $15

Fast Mover **Bonus 8
*”Setting the Records Straight” $20 off coupon (first 100) – Value $20

You can view the entire offer here. Note that the order links will not be live until (exactly) 12 noon.  And let’s get that time nailed  down right now.  What exactly does noon PACIFIC TIME mean to you?

12:00 Noon Pacific Time
Hawaii-Aleutian…. 10:00 AM
Alaskan……………..11:00 AM
Pacific……………….NOON 12:00
Mountain………….. 1:00 PM
Central ……………..2:00 PM
Eastern …………….3:00 PM
Atlantic…………….. 4:00 PM
Find your Time Zone Here

And what exactly does NOON mean to you? We will be following the clock on  www.Time.gov exactly.  If you have your heart set on those early responder bonuses, follow that clock, OK?

This is going to be great!  I am so excited to see who grabs these great bonuses!!

You’re going to want to read the entire offer because I’ve included a lot of great homeschool high school information.

http://www.ComprehensiveRecordSolution.com

I’ll see you at 11AM Pacific for the LIVE webinar and Noon for the launch!!

Remember the LIVE webinar begins at 11:00 AM Pacific!  (Just take that Time Zone chart above, and subtract one hour.)  I’ll see you on that webinar.  Did you forget to register?  Don’t worry! You can still register right HERE .   If you have your heart set on some of those AMAZING fast mover bonuses, this is definitely one webinar you will NOT want to miss!  I will also be revealing the winner of our blog contest.  That lucky winner will win a free copy of the Comprehensive Record Solution.

PPS.  The 8th video in my series on homeschool records takes you on a complete tour of our Comprehensive Record Solution and shows you some of the extra special features.  I will give you a sneak peak of exactly what you will receive when you order.  Watch the video here.

Today is your last chance to enter our blog contest to win The HomeScholar Comprehensive Record Solution for FREE!  Here’s how it works.

We want to hear about your hopes and dreams for your high school student.  I want to know what you truly believe about their future, and then….I want you to tell me how creating a beautiful comprehensive record for your child will help them achieve their potential.

To enter the contest, please answer the question:

“How will creating an BEAUTIFUL comprehensive record with the help of the homescholar help my child realize their potential?”

Post Your Comment Here.

Short and sweet is fine!  Your responses should be about 100 words or less and should be written from the heart.

The contest will run on the blog from now until 6 PM today, Friday, November 26th.  Matt and I will judge the entries and announce the winner on Saturday.  Our only rule is please, “No Sob Stories!”  We all know these are tough times, but we want your responses to remain positive and hopeful, to encourage others.

Blessings,
Lee

I will be judging these entries tomorrow morning…after my morning cup
of coffee!

There are lots of benefits of taking the PSAT; practicing for an important test, receiving financial aid for college.  Last week I found an unexpected benefit!  When children see a public school environment, it can have surprisingly positive consequences!  This letter from Sheri explains what her son learned in school the day he took the PSAT.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Hi Lee,
I thought you might enjoy hearing about my son’s day (well, really just a morning) at the local high school taking the PSAT. It is quite funny how much difference a day can make.

We HAVE had a slow start to this year with moving followed by inundations of bugs, water damage, replacing all sorts of unexpected pieces and parts of our home, fatigue, etc. These have all hit us hard. It was getting very discouraging to think of what we were (and were not) accomplishing in our schooling. But the Lord has been good to encourage me through many and sundry ways, one of which was my son’s day at our local public high school.

He was put in the classroom of a very nice teacher whose wife schools their children at home. This was a very kind consideration by the school counselor, I appreciated it. The things he noticed about the classroom were the disobedience and disrespect the kids had for the teacher’s word. He said, “no talking” yet they talked. He said, “no computers”, yet they got on the computers and played games. I got the biggest belly laugh out of this, because these are the EXACT things he does at home! So, he came to the conclusion that it would be extremely difficult for a teacher to actually teach these kids anything (oh really?). He told me today that he thought the way to teach, really teach, and get kids to retain was to have the information make a large and personal impact on them. Wow.

I wanted to tell you also, how much I appreciated your well timed encouragement today. In school we have not done as well as I would have hoped. I have failed in many ways. But, I do need to get back up again, dust myself off (and get my husband’s table saw out of the school room) and get to work. I truly appreciate you!!

Lotsa love,
Sheri

Her conclusion, about getting back up and dusting herself off, reminds me so much of the TobyMac song “Get Back Up Again.”

“We lose our way, we get back up again It’s never too late to get back up again And one day you gonna’ shine again You may be knocked down, but not out forever.”

I hope you aren’t having a bad day.  If you are having a bad day, remember that it could be worse, and you still have the opportunity to get back up again.  You may be knocked down, but you’re not out forever.

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