ModernStates.org is a nonprofit organization that provides free online courses designed to help students prepare for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, which can earn them college credit. Their structured courses are professionally produced, including textbooks and video lectures, making them a valuable resource for students looking to reduce the cost of higher education.
Modern States stands out among other Open Educational Resource (OER) platforms because it specifically focuses on preparing students for CLEP exams, allowing them to bypass traditional tuition costs by earning college credit for free. Unlike broader OER platforms like OER Commons or OpenStax, which provide general open-access educational materials, Modern States offers structured courses purposely designed to align with the CLEP exams. Learners who complete these courses can take the exams, which are recognized for credit by nearly 3,000 colleges and universities, for free.
Freshman Year for Free
Modern States offers over 30 free online courses designed to help students prepare for CLEP exams and earn college credit. These courses cover the content typically taught in freshman-level college classes and are taught by professors from world-class universities. Some of the most popular courses include:
- College Composition
- College Algebra
- Spanish Language
- American Government
- Biology
- History of the United States I
You can explore the full list of courses on the Modern States website, as well as watch video success stories and read testimonials from real learners.
Modern States for Homeschoolers
Modern States courses are designed to be accessible to anyone, including high school students, adult learners, and homeschoolers looking for a cost-effective way to earn college credit. Since the courses are self-paced and completely free, they work well for homeschool students who want to supplement their education or accelerate their college journey.
Homeschoolers can complete the courses, take the corresponding CLEP exams, and potentially earn college credit that can be transferred to many universities. Modern States even reimburses the CLEP exam fee, making it a great resource for families looking to minimize education costs.
Integrating Modern States courses into your homeschool curriculum can be a great way to provide structured, college-level learning while earning potential college credit. Here’s how you can do it:
- Match Courses to Your Curriculum
- Identify CLEP-aligned courses that match your homeschool subjects. For example:
- College Composition for English and writing.
- Biology for science.
- American Government for civics.
- College Algebra for math.
- Use Modern States courses as your primary instruction or as a supplement to existing materials.
- Set a Study Schedule
- Since courses are self-paced, create a timeline that fits your homeschool routine.
- Dedicate a few weeks or months per course, depending on difficulty.
- Incorporate video lectures, quizzes, and readings into daily or weekly lessons.
- Use CLEP Exams for College Credit
- Once a course is completed, register for the corresponding CLEP exam.
- Modern States offers reimbursement for the exam fee, making it affordable.
- If the student passes, they can earn college credit at many universities.
- Supplement with Additional Resources
- Some homeschoolers pair Modern States courses with textbooks, hands-on activities, or discussion-based learning.
- Using CLEP study guides can reinforce learning and ensure readiness for exams.
- Track Progress and Adapt
- Monitor comprehension by having your student take quizzes and practice exams.
- Adjust the pace as needed to match their learning style.
If you’re looking for a structured way to earn free college credit, Modern States is a great choice. This approach allows homeschoolers to gain college credit while maintaining flexibility in their studies. The cost is completely free, including reimbursement for CLEP exam fees. It’s a simple and powerful way to make college accessible and affordable.
Meet the Metcalfs: Using Modern States for Homeschool
Modern States is unique in its mission to help students bypass traditional tuition costs by earning college credit through CLEP exams, whereas other OER platforms focus more on providing free learning materials without a direct credit-earning pathway. However, if you need more general open-access educational resources, other OER platforms might be more suitable.
OER platforms such as OpenStax focus on providing free textbooks for college courses, while platforms like OER Commons serve as repositories for a wide range of open educational materials across different subjects and education levels.
Want to learn more and join more than 700,000 people who have used Modern States? Visit https://modernstates.org
