The offerings at education conferences have changed over the past few years, with more and more opportunities for students to access distance learning programs. In addition to online degrees, students can access course content and study the materials before hand, opting to “test out” of the course at a fraction of the cost, without buying the latest expensive textbook. Explore accelerated distance education options for your homeschooled high schooler. Many families have found that the first 4 years of college can be completed at home, at a substantially cheaper rate, using these techniques.
Distance Learning
Usually marketed toward working adults, or people who are returning to school, homeschooling college courses are available from a variety of online accredited colleges and universities. Browse around each of their websites before you decide to enroll, though. Homeschoolers have a leg up in realizing that information is easy to find.
Through these distance learning program websites, you can often find course outlines, or syllabus information to guide your learning. Since many of these courses can be “tested out” using the CLEP, the DANTE or other tests likely offered at the community college, it's a lot cheaper and faster to self-study the material at home, and then skip the months and months of studying and assignments.
Additionally, since the knowledge on the test isn't restricted to that in a certain textbook, students can opt out of the popular college money laundering game of upgrading the textbook every 2 years, making your pricey investment obsolete almost immediately. Many homeschooled students are quite adept at online research, and a strategic Craigslist ad, or even browsing a thrift shop can bring about textbooks that just so happened to be outdated this year.
Education Degree
Teaching in a classroom is a goal that many homeschooling moms are choosing after their kids have graduated. Likewise, it's a popular choice for grown homeschoolers. Education courses are available from online colleges, and some early childhood education courses can be tested out of. However, a lot of teacher training is hands-on and students will need to complete a portion of their certification by enrolling in a University program for a teaching certificate. Check the guidelines by looking for the State Board of Education website for your state.
Continue Education
In order to get the most out of your university dollars, don't waste them on simple courses that could be self-taught. Enter university at the highest possible level by using self-study, testing out of as many courses as possible and taking lower level courses at the community college level. A good way to know what's necessary for your final degree goal is to look at the University website and find out what its requirements are. Monitor your transcripts just like you'd monitor your credit report.
Creating goals with your homeschool high school student, and create a plan for college. Lay out the requirements for various associate degree programs and begin learning the materials required to test out of each course. This can be done in the earlier years of high school for advanced students. Many state community college programs offer a program that allows students in their Junior year of high school to enter the community college system and complete their first two years of college before they graduate high school. Homeschoolers have an asset called resourcefulness. College is a very important time to use it.
