50% of students won’t ever finish a degree, that’s terrible odds. While there aren’t any guarantees, there are 3 things you can do right now to improve your teen’s chances.
Bring the Goal Post Closer
When you bring college credit into your teen’s high school program, you have the opportunity to resourcefully plan that credit so it counts later toward their degree. When done carefully, every credit they earn now can bring the goal post (degree) closer.
Avoid Burn Out
In 2020, the average time it takes to complete a 4-year degree is 6 years!!! Finishing is hard, and people run out of steam. The average Homeschooling for College Credit family knocks out 1 year of college in high school. Resourceful parents with motivated teens can complete 2 or more years in high school. Teens graduating with 1-2 years of college already finished are ready to start their “fun courses” in their major, and can already see the finish line. They’re already finishing up before they start burning out.
Proof of Concept
Dropping out or failing out are most common during the first 2 years (20 classes) of college. Aside from the deep feeling of shame, often student loan debt (without the credential) is an extra sting. When parents bring those first 2 years into their homeschool (high school) it’s a simple addition to a regular homeschool program. Teaching and nurturing through this new experience allows parents to help with the normal early obstacles. In cases where these normal obstacles might derail other students, your student gains independence and maturity in their own home. Students who come out on the other end have demonstrated a proof of concept. Parents and teens can move forward with the confidence their teen is ready, willing and able to handle the hard work necessary to finish their degree. For teens who aren’t ready, willing, or able, the parent is not caught off guard or surprised, rather they can modify their plan.
College Completion Trifecta
- Bring the goal post close
- Avoid burn out
- Proof of concept
CLEP in Your Homeschool: 12 Steps for the Beginner
One of the best ways for your teen to earn college credit in high school is to incorporate CLEP exams into your planning. If you’re nervous about getting started, these 12 steps will get you up and running. CLEP is a credit-by-exam that allows your student to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject and earn…
High School Medical Classes
Today’s Blog If your teen is considering a career in a health or medical field, I have some interesting electives you can add to your high school curriculum to give them a head start. These aren’t worth college credit (you’ll award high school credit) but some, like those offered through the American Red Cross, result…
DSST: The Civil War & Reconstruction
In this post, I’m going to feature the exam “The Civil War & Reconstruction” from DSST. With a passing score, this exam can yield 3 college credits. EXAM INFORMATIONThis exam was developed to enable schools to award credit to students for knowledge equivalent to that learned by students taking the course. This examination includes the…
Computer Science Classes & AP Exam
If you’ve been looking for a computer science curriculum to use this fall, I found one you might like! It’s been developed by the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University and is free for homeschooling families to use. You can choose to pair this with the AP Exam (resources below) for high school and potential college credit,…
