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How Does Your Homeschool Compare?

College Admission College Prep

Thursday, 09 September 2010

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Scores Stagnate at High Schools

A Wall Street Journal article mildly whispers a passively calm title. But the quotes within the article are really quite shocking.

"High schools are the downfall of American school reform," said Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington. "We haven't figured out how to improve them on a broad scope and if our kids aren't dropping out physically, they are dropping out mentally." It's an important fact for homeschool parents to remember, as they consider their options.

"In the recent results, only 24% of the graduating class of 2010 scored high enough on the ACT in math, reading, English and science to ensure they would pass entry-level college courses. 28% of students didn't score high enough on even one subject-matter exam to ensure college readiness." Less that one quarter can pass entry tests.

"This is very appalling," said Cynthia Schmeiser, ACT's Education Division president and chief operating officer. "It suggests that the core courses they are taking are not sufficient to prepare them for what they will face in college or the work force." You can read the WSJ article here.

Meanwhile, a Valedictorian Speaks Out Against Schooling on YouTube, in a painful description of how she aced her classes but didn't really learn. Watch her speech on YouTube.

What about us? Can homeschoolers do well in college? You bet! Read this article from CBS MoneyWatch. It says that "homeschool students enjoy higher ACT scores, grade point averages and graduation rates compared with other college students."

High school is not a time to panic and bail out. Now is the time to be encouraged and fortified! Don't be afraid! You can do it!

We have produced a brief overview video of The HomeScholar. I would love it if you would share it with your friends and support groups! Thanks.

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Comments 3

Guest - Lee (website) on Monday, 13 September 2010 08:57

Dear Lisa,

Don't think about CLEP as "cramming for the test." Certainly there is an element of learning how to test well. But instead of focusing on that, think about it from a different perspective. College Plus and CLEP exams are measuring what your child knows. They use tests to do that.

Study skills and logic are important in life, helping children make decisions in every area. Teaching children how to read quickly with comprehension will be helpful in any career or college pursuit. Those skills can never be wasted.

The young woman in the video had been taught many worthwhile skills. She has chosen to devalue their meaning, and has decided for herself that she was merely learning for a test. With homeschooling, we hope to encourage our children to become life-long learners. We want them to learn and REMEMBER, not learn and fill in the bubbles.

Thinking back to my own high school years, I'm amazed at what I have forgotten (or never learned in the first place.) When I look at my grown adult children, I'm amazed at how much they remember.

Focus on the love of learning. College Plus is a method to measure the learning they have done.

I hope that helps,
Blessings,
Lee

0 Reply

Dear Lisa,

Don't think about CLEP as "cramming for the test."  Certainly there is an element of learning how to test well.  But instead of focusing on that, think about it from a different perspective. College Plus and CLEP exams are measuring what your child knows.  They use tests to do that.

Study skills and logic are important in life, helping children make decisions in every area.  Teaching children how to read quickly with comprehension will be helpful in any career or college pursuit.  Those skills can never be wasted.

The young woman in the video had been taught many worthwhile skills.  She has chosen to devalue their meaning, and has decided for herself that she was merely learning for a test.  With homeschooling, we hope to encourage our children to become life-long learners.  We want them to learn and REMEMBER, not learn and fill in the bubbles.

Thinking back to my own high school years, I'm amazed at what I have forgotten (or never learned in the first place.)  When I look at my grown adult children, I'm amazed at how much they remember.

Focus on the love of learning.  College Plus is a method to measure the learning they have done.

I hope that helps,
Blessings,
Lee

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Guest - Lisa Smith on Saturday, 11 September 2010 04:24

I love that speech! But now I'm concerned because we're thinking of using CollegePlus (recommended on this website). Doesn't CollegePlus do just that - train people to cram for tests and then forget? I totally see the value of getting through college in high school, but please give some input about how to reconcile this process with a true, critical thinking education. Thanks so much!

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