When I speak to groups, I sometimes express my dissatisfaction with dual enrollment community college. In Washington State, students can access this opportunity for free, and it’s called “Running Start.” Extremely popular with homeschoolers, I often get asked why I am hesitant about such programs.
My feeling about Running Start is that it’s often a “Rated R” environment, even when you control the teacher AND the curriculum. If I could do my life over, I wish I would have done two years of homeschooling college, not just one year. I wish I would have skipped Running Start altogether.
I don’t know your family, your children, or even your community college – so you are in a MUCH better position to make a decision than I am. Trust yourself! Here is a blog post that I wrote on our Running Start stories.
Running Start is EXTREMELY popular with homeschoolers in Washington right now, and I want parents to think it through and weigh the pros and cons, rather than just follow the crowd. When you talk to those who have gone before you, listen for the “but….” They will say things like, “We had a wonderful experience, but…..” Listen to what follows, and decide what is best for YOU.
Christian support groups on campus are a BIG help, so encourage your children to get involved in positive groups on campus. Also, use the buddy system, so that students are in groups in class.
If you are interested in alternatives, here is my “dig deeper” page on homeschooling college, in case you want to see what I mean by that.
OK people, after three weeks of intense voting, the category of Best Business/Curriculum Blog is…..tied! Now there is about 24 hours left to vote. If you haven’t voted yet, please vote for “The HomeScholar Helper” at the following link. If you have voted, please find another computer to vote on, perhaps the neighbors, I know they won’t mind. Tell them it is for a “higher cause” and “the greater good.” Explain that Lee’s husband is, well, a bit nuts.
Finally, if you vote for Lee’s blog, I promise to show you a picture of a cute puppy….
Related posts
- Homeschool Blog Awards! Vote Early, Vote Often!
- Last Call for College Visits!!
- Can My Homeschooler Take the SAT as a Senior?
Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Lee says:
LOLOL!!! That’s it, my husband has finally gone completely BONKERS about this competition! My poor husband!
For those of you who are wondering why my husband can get away with all this nonsense, let me explain. I write the CONTENT of each blog post in advance. My blessed husband posts them, adding links, post scripts, photos, etc. That’s why he can take my perfectly acceptable, helpful, and concrete blog post and turn it into a begging plea for vote.
Silly husband!
Blessings,
Lee
PS. Please vote. For my sanity’s sake, please vote.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Stephanie says:
Lee, I think he is hysterical! I have to admit that I don’t read your blog through my blog feeder anymore because I want to read what he writes at the bottom. lol
Is that your puppy? Mr. Home Scholar is right… TOO cute!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Sharon says:
Now THAT is too cute!
November 21st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Lis in NY from SHS says:
Now THAT is one cute puppy. Thanks for making good on your promise. Now if all politicians were that conscientious!!
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm