Homeschooling

who works with their child, but my youngest daughter has taken four courses from North Dakota Center for Distance Education. Since I study the material with her, review all of her assignments before submittal, and prep her extensively for tests; I really don't know if a more hands off approach would work. I do know that the expectations for the Biology course are higher than that for our Honors Biology at the public school. She is an 8th grader, and I think she could make a respectful showing on the Biology CLEP if she took it after completing this course. They cover a lot of material in two semesters.

I plan to switch her to Apex Leanring courses from the state for Social Studies if the school system approves. My plan is to have her take U.S. History, World History, and Government online High School classes and then take the corresponding CLEP test. All 15 hours will transfer for her major if she is successful. My impression from reviewing a Middle School course from APEX is that it is far less rigorous than the corresponding NDCDE course. My older daughter will be starting an APEX course over Christmas so I will know more then. My older daughter has had a Digital Photography course from NDCDE, and it is far more rigorous than the corresponding public school course. Her feedback has been somewhat light on her pictures, but she gets plenty of feedback from her Journalism teacher. She says she has learned a great deal of theory behind pictures though. She is going to have a huge portfolio when she is done with the class.

NDCDE will issue a diploma, but, if you plan to go to college, you really don't need one anyway (at least in our state). I know of plenty of full-time Homeschool kids who get scholarships to college. My youngest may decide not to graduate from the local High School if they are too resistant on our Social Studies plan.