FINDING THE BEST SCHOOL AND DEGREE FOR OUR CHILDREN

Here is a great way to find the right school for an online degree. When our kids are ready to take that step toward a more financially secure future DegreeHound.com is the direct way to easily find schools listed that will best fit our child's needs. They assemble the top online and campus career degree schools and give a free and easy way to find the right school for their specific situation.

When the economy hits a rough spot it's no secret that companies begin to watch their wallets. In the workplace, that means the powers that be take a long hard look at who they want to keep and who is expendable. I think about that when I plan my child's future. With the economy the way it is, right now is the perfect time to explore college options and get a career-related degree. A degree can lead them to more secure career opportunities, fulfilling their lifelong dreams and a better chance for a great salary.

The site is super easy to use. They have many program areas to explore and degree types. There are quite a few articles to peruse if we choose to read about how best to explore our options. The site is a wealth of information and well worth a look.

BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE NEST, WE NEED TO TALK INSURANCE

It is so very important to take care of our family in any and all circumstances. That includes taking responsibility to make sure that our home would be paid for if and when we should pass away. NAA mortgage disability insurance is not just a piece of paper, it’s an investment in peace of mind.

When shopping for mortgage insurance my husband and I have been very careful. We try to pass on this information to our sons as they become older teens and become self sufficient adults. It is important to talk with them about these kind of things early so they understand that death has come calling on people younger than we are or even they are at the time. When they understand that they know that mortgage protection insurance is one of life's obligations, not something to be taken lightly. Life insurance is just one class that should be given before our children spread their wings and fly from the nest.

Food for thought.

ONLINE COLLEGE EDUCATION

If you have a high school student considering online degrees for their future college path, it may please you to know that they could be on the right path.


Amazingly, there are five times as many students taking online classes as there are taking traditional college courses. Online education enrollments now surpass traditional college enrollments by a 5-to-1 ratio. With so many college graduates heading to their new jobs with a huge debt upon their shoulders, the online path has become the economically savvy solution. Just Click to find the online college that best suits your student's needs.

WINTER COLLEGE GRADES 2008

Today Kazz received his Grades for the Winter College Courses he took.

Kazz: age 15
Computers 1010 = A
PowerPoint for Office Professionals = B

We're taking a vacation, hanging out and gellin' until he and Brian begin again in June. They have found something that they both enjoy doing together as father and son.

It's been funny to watch them go off for One class each semester that they choose to take together. Kazz like the company to one of his classes and Brian likes hanging out with his son. Brian got a A in the PowerPoint class...but who's counting! :-) He also got a promotion to Project Manager last week...so...I'm going out on a limb here to say that the grades my hubby gets won't matter to him as much as the grades Kazz gets. Experience is also a beautiful thing.

The next classes for the Summer semester for Kazz are... Mythology and the next step up Computer classes.

21 Credits down...42 to go!

Kazz's goal is to Graduate at age of seventeen. Good Luck Kazz!

COLLEGE AT 14: What's The Rush?

Tina made an excellent comment in the College At 14 comments over at The Mom With Brownies.
I think this is a post worth repeating here as it pertains to High School Homeschooling.

She asked a pertinent question...

Tina's comment:

"It's a very interesting topic. I am not familiar with the college school system here in the US because I was educated in the Philippines. We usually go to college at the age of 16. But I realize that the school system tries to give as much employable skills to the students because alot of them are not going to college. College at 14 take a level of maturity on the student's part and it's really case to case basis.

My question is what's the hurry on going to college at 14? From a long term perspective, what's the rush to get through college earlier? So after college, they get a masters and then a PHD degree? Then what?

My daughter is in Kindergarten and she seems to be ready to learn things that are not yet covered in her little Kindergarten class. So I'm looking to ways that can satisfy her learning thirst which the school system seem to fall short on."


-----------------------------------------

My thoughts...

That is a great question. The answer is that there is no hurry. It is indeed a case to case basis and should be weighed with much thought by the parent(s), and the teen who will have to attend the classes.

The great thing is that The Option Is Out There! :-)

One of the first concerns that many people voice when learning that their family member will be home schooled is the question of a High School Diploma. The thought that a parent could print a diploma from their home computer and call it "real" is ludicrous to some people. However, Homeschool diplomas are printed on home computers every day, and they are very real.

That being said, Getting an employer or our homeschooled student's peers to appreciate that is a whole other story. The option to go to college during what would otherwise be high school years is a pretty substantial step in squelching those nay-sayers who poo poo homeschool diplomas. The option to squelch the nay-sayers is important because it translates to job opportunities and successful employment for many home educated people.

The added security for the home educated student is a huge blessing. Whether the student begins their college journey at 14, 15, or later, just the knowledge that they are able to go to college and get a "real" diploma can help in attaining a job and respect from those who would otherwise toss their application in the trash.

Beginning college at 14 allows a home educated student to have "bragging rights" if you will. It is an immediate interest to peers and employers and establishes on the spot respect. That reality will travel with the student for their entire lives. The "brag" if you will, holds weight and thus potential for economic security as they age and navigate their life's' path.

Graduating from college at the age of 17 or 18 gives the home educated student an added bonus in their life. They will be more able to be hired at a better wage, younger. This could very well help them to attain the experience needed in their career while still young enough to focus on the task at hand. They will not have a family or college debt hanging over their heads so the pressure of a new career will be lighter and more enjoyable.

Many employers offer paid tuition for their employees. So, while they were able to pay small bits for their two year college education over a 4 year period they are again able to save money that would have been spent for higher education because their employer is now picking up the bill. Not only can their bachelors degree be paid by their employer but they are gaining valuable experience and making money also.

In a nutshell, beginning college at the age of 14 allows our children to have a HUGE leg up in life. It gives them a running start that could very well carry them through their entire lives.

I always joke that if my boys want to join the circus or tour the world as hippies after they leave our home, it is fine and dandy because I know they have that needed degree when the time comes to settle down.

No matter what path they choose, my husband and I have done our best to make their life a little easier while we have them in our molding care. In the end, allowing our children to attend college early has given us, and them, peace of mind.

It is a choice that is offered to the homeschooling community that offers dividends that pay off for a lifetime.

COLLEGE AT 14

Comment 2 from Penny Thoughts

Kristina said...
Thoughts on a young teenager in college. It looks like at least one of ours will be headed that way and it would be nice to hear from the trenches.How have you integrated this with home school? Are you skipping the subjects that he's doing at college or are you just doing something different at home?


Hi Kristina,

Wow this will be a long post. lol
I hope it gives some insight into our journey, so far, and helps others in the process. :-)

Thank you so much for this topic idea. :-)

Kazz did indeed begin college at 14 years of age. Though many may feel fourteen is too young for a teenager to handle college, the opposite is found to be true. Many homeschooled teens are finding the huge advantage of homeschooling during their teen years so they can graduate from homeschool with AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE from college!

I'm excited that you've found that truth too. :-)

That being said, Brian and I put a lot of thought into this decision. We talked with Kazz and found that he was not only wanting to go, he was raring to go! Once we found this out we made a plan that fit our family and Kazz's needs and then hit the ground running.

In our state, it is very easy to send a homeschooled teen to college. Most, if not all, community colleges accept homeschooled teens at the age of fourteen and some accept them even younger.

We began when he was 13 years old. This has been our journey so far...

1. I contacted a local homeschooling family who sent their teen to college. I asked A LOT of questions, so that I "knew the drill," the correct college contact and had an idea of what to expect. I was nervous because I just "knew" there would be resistance from college personnel, on the phone or in person, but that proved to be untrue. They were very accommodating and overly helpful. Remember...They Want Your Money! :-)

2. We got his State ID so he could take the entrance exam. He didn't have to take an ACT or SAT test. The entrance exam was all he needed. The entrance exam places a student into the correct level of Math or English for their personal level of knowledge/skill. If they are not ready for college Math or English they will be asked to take the 0050 basics before they begin the college level courses. If that becomes the case for your teen, don't panic. Many times basic classes count toward a general associate degree. They will probably be able to graduate with an associate degree at the age of 17 or 18 even if they have to take a few extra general classes. After they get their general associate degree they can usually still work toward an Associate of business or Assoc. of Science or Assoc. of Art degree...etc. These are the degrees that most college students want to attain so they can have the option to go to a 4 year college more easily.

2. After he took the entrance exam we met with the homeschool liaison for the college.

Note: Teens are NOT eligible for financial aid until they are graduated from homeschool. Until the parent graduates their child the family is responsible for paying for college.

3. Kazz was talked to as an adult. He was told in no uncertain terms that he's an adult on campus and will be treated as a the full college student that he is. He was given information about degrees, (which classes were needed to attain the degrees) and sent on his way to think about which classes he should take.

4. I decided to ease him into this process. Kazz took classes that count toward his Assoc. of Business degree but "easier" classes at first. Remember, at the age of 14 they can take one or two classes each semester so if they take two easy classes for 2 semesters they will be 15 by the time they are expected to take classes that are a little more challenging. By the time they take those classes they will be almost 16! They will mature into psychology classes and upper level "worldly" classes. Don't Panic about the topics discussed in college. By the time they take the classes that discuss sexual conduct, politics, etc...they will be pushing 18 years of age. YOU GET TO CHOOSE THEIR CLASSES!! :-)

At 14 and 15 years of age Kazz took...Keyboarding, Internet for business, Beginning Algebra and a Basic writing class. He tested into a higher English but we took it slow all the same. The credits were needed so why not!

At age 15 1/2 to 16 years of age he'll take...College Algebra, English, Computers 101 and PowerPoint, Geography, Intro to gaming, and Humanities.

SEE those aren't over the head of the average 14 / 15 year old student. Throw in the fact that the classes only last at the most, 12 weeks and well, it's a cake walk to many students who have been expected to take 7 classes that last an entire year! :-)

At 16 1/2 he'll get into deeper topics and the subject will become increasingly more adult as he matures. IF he continues to enjoy the experience and/or wants to keep going he will graduate at 17 1/2 years old with an associate degree. What 4 year college wouldn't want to accept a 17 year old college graduate?!

This college experience hasn't been stressful for Kazz because, a homeschooled teen isn't taking 7 classes during the day and topping that with MORE classes at night. They do NOT have homework from high school and more from college. Homeschoolers have college and whatever their parent decides to teach at home. That is where parents can tailor the home learning experience to meet the child's stress level. They can tame the assignments down during college exams, during tougher college courses etc. The stress is actually less than most institutionally educated high school attendees because the college-homeschooled teen is taking 4 or 5 LESS classes than the "regular" student and taking them only one or two days a week!

See how that works. :-)

NOW HERE'S HOW WE BLEND THIS EXPERIENCE WITH HIGH SCHOOL...

We do NOT check the box for dual-enrollment. Dual Enrollment means that the college class is counted toward college and high school. We've found that most 4 year colleges do NOT accept these classes as college courses. If they do accept them as a college course they do NOT accept them as a high school class. In other words, whichever way they decide to reject the dual enrollment, the end result is that the class will have to be taken, again, and at quite a pretty price.

We do not count the college algebra as high school algebra. We buy the college book. He takes the college class and I may use the college book to teach from while using other materials to supplement the homeschool high school class. The college texts are very useful and there is an unlimited use for them as jump starts to research. Why dual enroll when the class can be taught at home using the book we've bought and paid for? It is a valuable resource to extend the learning from the 12 week college course.

The one thing that I would advise is to try to set your child up for success...ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING! Help them select classes that are "a sure thing" or only slightly challenging at first, so they gain confidence in their ability to navigate this new territory. I say this, not to keep them from being challenged academically, but because they are going to be challenged by probably being the youngest in their class and by just plain walking into the class by themselves.
Give them the chance to get those obstacles out of the way before throwing a challenging class at them.

Also, let the experience roll as it rolls and ride the wave. IF...no, I mean...WHEN your homeschooled teen gets a C or D in a class, and it probably will happen eventually, don't panic. It happens to the best students. Ask any doctor or lawyer...I'll bet most have had at LEAST one class they just had to pass by the skin of their teeth.

That's my blog..