Cohen - Teen Homeschooling - Granting a Diploma


	Newsletter Library \| Meet the Author "Homeschooling: The Teen Years" by Cafi Cohen

	Cafi Cohen Interviews: "College" Interview \| "Teen Schooling" Interview \| College Admissions Handbook Interview 1 (College): Intro \| Transcripts vs. Portfolios Interview 2 (High School): Intro \| Transcripts & Diplomas \| Umbrella Schools \| Volunteerism \| College & Scholarships \| Ten Reasons to Homeschool Through High School \| Homeschooling Almost-for-free curriculum for teens \| College at Age 13 \| Afterschooling \| Granting a Diploma Interview 3 (College Admissions): Intro \| Scholarships \| College Success \| High School HSing \| Putting It All Together

	Can a homeschooler make it to college? How to write a diploma Transcripts vs. Portfolios Financial Aid & Scholarships Homeschooling Graduates Alternative Paths to College Distance Education Scholarships, Grants & other FREE stuff Excerpt from: "Homeschooling: The Teen Years" Granting a Diploma (pg.. 290-292) Reprinted with permission of the author, Cafi Cohen © 2000 by Prima Publishing. All rights reserved Do Homeschoolers need a high school diploma? The answer is, "Sometimes." Do they need a diploma from an accredited school? The experience of thousands of families indicates that the answer is, "Almost never." Every homeschooler can have a document verifying graduation from high school because – as the principals an administrators of small private schools – all homeschool parents can create their own diplomas. Homeschoolers earn diplomas several ways. Some test out, earning an equivalent diploma by passing the GED or a state test like the California High School Proficiency Exam. Although a few people connect the GED to high school dropouts, others realize that many high school graduates could not score well on this comprehensive test. Grant, a homeschooling father in Oklahoma, holds a position that requires him to interview many young people every year. He sees the GED in a different light and writes, "I cannot tell you how many people with a high school diplomas I have interviewed who have a difficult time reading the job application. A diploma means only that the person sat in a classroom for a certain number of hours. On the other hand, a GED tells me that the person can read and write and that he has basic skills and knowledge. Personally, I do not depend on any piece of paper when considering someone for a job, but I sure don’t attach a stigma to someone who comes in with a GED." Some homeschooled teenagers receive diplomas from umbrella schools and independent-study programs. Yet another group of families, perhaps the majority, grant their own diploma. In our case, we fired up he word processor, designed one, and issued the diploma. Janice plans something similar in writing, "I will order a blank diploma from HSLDA and my husband and I will sign it." Dinah reports, "We have registers our homeschool asa private school and will grant our own diploma from Winston Christian Academy." Skeptics question whether homeschool diplomas are recognized – by colleges, employers, the military and so on. That depends. College admissions officers reply primarily on transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Most never ask about diplomas because typical applicants, high school seniors, do not yet have them. Employers care mostly about experience. If you have granted a homeschool diploma, your teenager can answer "yes" to the diploma question on most job applications. Seldom does anyone ask to see the actual document. And, interestingly, employers never seem to phrase the question this way: "Do you have a diploma from an accredited high school?" Historically, the military cares more about diplomas than either colleges or most employers. Military regulations pertaining to homeschoolers are in a state of flux, with every recent change in favor of homeschoolers. Contact local recruiters for current information. If you know your son or daughter plans to enlist in the army, navy marines, or air force, consider using an accredited diploma-granting independent-study program or make sure your teenager earns at least sixteen college credits during high school. see the interview with Cafi (Teen Homeschooling) David and Laurie Callihan who have written The Guidance Manual for the Christian Homeschool have helped Christian homeschool parents gather all the information a high school counselor usually supplies. They say: A diploma is a piece of paper (unless you use real sheepskin) that designates or confers the completion of some line of study. We find it interesting that parents who confidently homeschool turn to jelly when it is time to award the diploma. If you have homeschooled your child and he has completed your designated course of study for high school, you may and should award a diploma. see the rest of this interview also see: Homeschool Zone Essay "Getting Ahead of the College Game" by Susan Stewart You need to begin college consideration about four years before your child expects to enter college. Find out more Get noticed! How to Apply for a Scholarship by Jennifer Lieberman Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to applying for scholarships. Read this informative article on how you can avoid making some fatal errors in getting your scholarship.		College For Free Homeschool Your Child for FREE FREE Scholarship Information The Explosive Child Interview with author Ross Greene more ADD & ADHD books more special needs books more homeschooling books more parenting books Interview & FREE Excerpt

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	Reprinted by permission of the author from "And What About College" All rights reserved. This may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the author © 1999 Cafi Cohen