High School Diplomas and Accreditations for Homeschoolers

With homeschooling becoming an increasing trend these days, a lot of colleges too are changing their attitude towards such students. Many homeschoolers complete standard high school academics eighteen to twenty-four months, which is a lot faster, compared to the four years in high school. Most colleges have realized this and are accommodating homeschoolers who have followed their own curriculum. Homeschooling, thus no longer means that the student has to be satisfied with a high school diploma only. A professional degree from a college is now possible, with various options.

However, for some universities, your child's high school diploma may need to be accredited. An accredited program is a program that meets the minimum standards of what a particular accrediting agency specifies. It is better to know these requirements of the colleges and universities your child wishes to apply to and include those requirements in your course work.

Accredited home school program

Many homeschooling parents prefer to join an accredited home school program. Such schools provide their own curriculum and study material. However, they adjust student's curriculum as per the family's needs and values. Each course is designed to be self-teaching and explains the material well, in a step-by-step process. It is however necessary to make sure that the school you join is itself accredited and recognized. Parents need to conduct some research to properly chart out a plan. Catalogues and curriculum can be obtained from the online resources by getting in touch with them via the net or mailing them.

Records

Most colleges you consider will ask for a high school transcript with details on subject matter, credits, and grades. Some ask for a description of the curriculum the student has used and/or work samples. Patrick Henry College requires the reading list from the student's last two years of high school. The format of transcript does not matter as much as the content. It should be concise and easy to read. It is a good idea to mention on the transcript that more information is available on request and to always be prepared to provide details if asked.

Standard tests

Some colleges specify either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Exam (ACT), but most accept either test. The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is a test typically taken in the junior year. The PSAT provides additional preparation for the SAT and is a qualifier for National Merit Scholarships. Students who wish to appear for this need to get registered with community colleges where these exams are held.

In the end, it is solely the homeschooling family's discretion whether to opt for an accredited degree or not. Many will argue that they have taught and raised their kids to believe in certain values. However, nobody needs an authority to declare whether or not the kids are eligible for college. The choice of not wanting the children to be judged is the main reason to home school them. Whatever the reasons and decisions, homeschooled families decide what's best for them.