Preparing for College – Page 6

Common Core State Standards Initiative: Too Close to a National Curriculum

May 23, 2013MelissaArkansas, Informative, Legislation, News, Preparing for College

In 2010, the National Governors Association published their “Common Core State Standards” (CCSS). These were meant as voluntary math and English guidelines which individual states could adopt.

Numerous organizations grew concerned about this push to standardize what public school students are taught. They explained that states were being enticed by the federal government—through the Race to the Top program—to align their state curriculum with the CCSS, resulting in de facto national standards. They were concerned that this would lead to a national curriculum and national test, and that the pressure would grow for home school and private school students to be taught using this national curriculum.

During President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union speech, the president stated, “We’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards.” How were the states convinced to adopt the CCSS? (more…)

MyCollege – Make College Work for You So You Do Not Have to Pay for It!

Mar 15, 2013MelissaInformative, Preparing for College, Single Parents, Technology

Published with Permission
Written by Clifford Stumme
www.TOSMagazine.com

High school graduation is the pinnacle of home school success, but what comes after? You have set your child up for success. From reading lessons at age 3 to finding just the right math curriculum for algebra in high school, you have done everything that you could to make graduation successful and to prepare your child for the “real world.” However, some time, around ninth grade perhaps, something began looming on the academic horizon. You thought, “How will we ever have that much money?” and “Will he be able to pass the ACT or the SAT?” and “For that matter, which test should he take?” and “Where can I get financial aid?”

This unspeakable fear was . . . college.

Most people believe that a four-year degree at a cost of tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, is the only way to do college. For years, parents and students have subjected themselves to outrageous tuition fees and years of loan repayment, but there is a way to escape all of that. (more…)

Home School: Books, Children, Kitchen, and Husbands

Mar 6, 2013MelissaBurn Out, Classroom Help, Informative, Preparing for College, Preschoolers, Single Parents

Published with Permission
Written by Ronald E Johnson, C.Ph.D.
www.pacworks.com

Someone once observed with tongue in cheek, that the best candidate for managing a Fortune 500 corporation would be a home school mother who successfully educated half a dozen children while keeping her marriage intact. Anyone who knows anything about education, marriage and home management smiles in agreement. The fact is that home education is no easy accomplishment. It requires a genius level mental capacity, industrial level production, Wall Street management skills, and athleticism at the Pro-bowl level! And oh yes, the effective home school mom demonstrates a good sense of humor, tough hide, romantic touch, culinary skills, and academic competency at the Ph. D. level.

Nothing short of praise and admiration are due to moms who home educate their children. The women who decide to train their children at kitchen tables and living room desks deserve credit far beyond the accolades splashed on traditional school teachers. Not only do home school moms keep house (laundry, dishes, meals, diapers, mopping, and dusting), they are acutely aware of sensitive relationships with their husbands. It is one thing to keep children focused diligently on arithmetic, grammar, penmanship, and science projects; it is quite another thing to maintain a positive and endearing relationship with husband after a grueling day with diapers, arithmetic, biology, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and research assignments. (more…)