“It’s a jungle out there. Disorder and confusion everywhere. No one seems to care.” Well, WE do! That’s why we started this column… Advice Paradise!
ADVICE:
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We’re not psychologists, counselors, therapists, or experts – we’re just fellow homeschoolers who are willing to offer a little friendly advice. Sometimes it helps to have a second opinion, and we’re here for you. The Advice Paradise team will answer questions on homeschooling, relationships, religion, and life in general. No question is too trivial. Just ask about anything you want to know! We promise to keep it simple and get straight to the point. In some cases, a bit of wit or sarcasm also does the trick.
Check out the following questions and see if any of them apply to you, or maybe you’ve been in the same situation and have some helpful advice to give someone else. Post a comment if you think you have a better answer!
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Q. What about homeschooling teenagers? Is it a good or bad idea to homeschool through high school?
A. There is an increasing numbers of teens who have been homeschooled their entire lives, and more teens are leaving public schools to be homeschooled. Homeschooled teens are studying subjects in depth, learning from apprenticeships, work, and travel. We enjoy the independence of homeschooling and have the time to explore what we really love to do. 😊
Q. How can homeschool parents teach high school subjects that they’re not good at or don’t know much about?
A. Parents don’t have to be an expert in every subject. Even schoolteachers don’t know everything. (That’s why textbooks have teacher’s editions and curriculum comes with answer manuals!) Homeschoolers can join co-ops, hire tutors, sign up for a single class in that subject, or look into the many self-teaching videos and resources that are available online. Teens are pretty capable of teaching themselves – just as adults do when they have something new that they want to learn. Don’t overlook friends, acquaintances, and businesspeople in your community – most people are delighted to have a young person around who is sincerely interested in what they know and do.
Q. How can homeschoolers get into university?
A. Hundreds of colleges and universities all over the nation accept home educated students, and some are even actively recruiting them. Such institutions have come to value homeschoolers because of their maturity, creativity, disciplined study skills, independent thinking skills, and enthusiasm for learning. Formal transcripts, diplomas, or GEDs are not always required. However, if you are concerned about meeting strict university admission requirements, there are online academies that will do the record keeping for you as well as issue official transcripts and diplomas. Many homeschoolers take their high school classes at the community college level and thus receive a transcript from the college for those courses. Those students who take enough community college classes to receive an AA degree are then automatically considered transfer students by the university. On the other hand, keep in mind that college is not necessarily the only route to adulthood or to a career. Some homeschoolers would rather start their own business, get a job, pursue an apprenticeship, or volunteer for a nonprofit organization instead of going to college.
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Do you have a question? Send it to mail@homeschoolingteen.com and we will share it with the Advice Paradise team to be posted (anonymously, of course) in the next issue of Homeschooling Teen.
Think you have a better answer or would you like to offer some more advice? Please leave a comment below with the question number for reference. Thanks for helping!