BellaOnline Forums Education Homeschooling unschooling

There's a bit of a quirk with the "can't legally require" issue. 1-That law doesn't apply to admissions at private institutions, though most honor the tenets of the law even though they're not required to. 2-Admissions officers at some public institutions "are merely suggesting..." (I'm sure you get the idea...). It won't be an issue for most if you push it. Then of course, there's the issue that really selective institutions won't even admit students with GEDs--they'd have to come in as transfer students with 60 credits or an associates.

Just document what you're doing and make notes about how/why the courses your student is taking apply/were chosen.

Most TX institutions want students to complete an equivalent of the state's "Recommended High School Program," which is 24 credits.

Thanks! I've bookmarked it. Required/recommended ... what fun all this navigation is <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm really grateful. Between your site and Meg's I may get it altogether!

FYI: The link I provided to the "Recommended" program is to a site maintained by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board--the state agency governing higher ed. in Texas.

My high school lost my transcripts and messed up my gpa (they said it was 3.1 my records said 3.5) and I didn't want my high school records to play any part in my post h-e-l-l, I mean high school, life. I asked and they said that anyone can take classes at the community college and then transfer them to a 4-year school after two years- no high school transcripts were needed.

I recall a friend in high school took some correspondece courses through the state univeristy when he was 14 and then transfered them to the college he went when he got out of high school.

Lynn, From what you are saying I could not have attended college in Texas despite going to public school and graduating.

As for a GED, I hope Bry will stand up for his schooling when he gets older as REFUSE to get a GED. ANYONE can get a GED, it's nothing special.

Ok, I guess I wouldn't mind him getting trying for a GED if he came to me when he was 10 and said he wanted to try. Just not if he's over age of 14 though.

Samten-the conversation above related to homeschoolers specifically. If you graduated from high school, I'll assume you have a diploma. Most community colleges--here and elsewhere--will accept a phot0-copy of a diploma in lieu of transcripts. Students without a GED/High School Diploma (or equivalent) generally have to go through the "ability to benefit" process. Most schools here (community colleges or otherwise) will also insist that students on campus be at least age 16 (though I'll be darned if I can find anything that 100 percent supports this requirement). If parents push hard enough, community colleges will "dual-enroll" students (this is where you take college courses for both high-school and college credit) earlier but it can be an uphill battle as colleges and universities both presume there's higher risk involved in having younger students on campus and fear liability.

Most universities, here and elsewhere, will still ask for high school transcripts--even from transfer students--but MAY waive the reuirement if you have accumulated 60 credit hours or have earned an Associate Degree.

The GED is intended for those who cannot or will not, for whatever reason, complete their high school educational requirements. Today it's a fairly comprehensive test of basic, general educational skills. It is not the case that "anyone" can take it and pass; many try and do fail the current version. If your student completes the requirements for a high-school education in your test, there SHOULD be no reason to take the GED.

I am aware the conversation was about unschooling. I posted what I knew about not needed transcripts and diploma, from what I went through. After I started at the community college where/if I went to high school was NEVER brought up, again. I would recommend the community college for any homeschooler/unschooler wanting to go college, 2 years there and no one pushes the high school diploma/transcripts/portfolio issue.

I never submitted a photo-copy of my high school diploma.

What is the point of dual enrollment? (sarcasm I know the reasons they give and I know what dual enrollment is) If my son is interested in attended college level classes at the age of 14 why should I even want them to count for high school credits? If he is ready then he has no need for a high school curriculm.



While many may try and fail there are classes EVERYWHERE to teach people to the test so that they can pass. I have never seen anyplace charge for these classes-so money isn't an issue. Again, anyone can get a GED. It's nothing exclusive or anything to be proud of. You learned to pass a test, nothing more.



What test? Unschooling doesn't have tests. And to be honest even if I do not unschool, I will NOT give tests. I will not to test my son to figure out how much he knows. I will talk to him, everyday and help him to learn what he is interested in. I'm there, why do I need to test him? Waste of time.

Regarding my statement "If your student completes the requirements for a high-school education in your test, there SHOULD be no reason to take the GED." "Your test" should have read "Your state..."

It's great that the community college experience worked for you Samten, but please realize, requirements for entry to college are going to vary. We can't wave a wand and make those requirements change, no matter how much we may want to; and that includes the requirements in Texas for entrance testing/placement testing (you have to take the THEA or an equivalent here for community/junior colleges and all other public higher ed. institutions and if you can't prove completion of high-school requirements or a GED, you have to do the "ability to benefit" testing), age matters, documentation requirements, etc.

The GED is something to be proud of, as is a high school diploma. It shows that you have gained a minimum amount of knowledge--you have to be able to read, do math, and write a basic essay to pass. Sure, classes teach to the test, but so do most high schools. It's not better to go without, in terms of employment, if you've not completed any other kind of high school program/diploma (including homeschool).

If your child has a specific school in mind CALL THEM. There are no universally accepted admissions for any kind of student, including home educated. Each school will have policies of its own.

Preparing a transcript is not hard, you list subjects and hours. You don't need to lsit grades or a GPA. Universities should NOT require a GED from any home educated students, but an ACT or SAT score instead.

Meg

"There are no universally accepted admissions for any kind of student, including home educated. Each school will have policies of its own."

That's partially true, Meg. Texas has standardized some of the basic admissions processes for public institutions; however. Other states are following this trend. So if you want to get the feel for a state before you investigate colleges in that state, contact the state's higher education coordinating board/governing agency.

"Universities should NOT require a GED from any home educated students."

Agreed. So push back when they suggest it--and some will.