“Although credentials are defined as something that entitles one to confidence, credit, authority, or power, the term has come to refer primarily to formal pieces of paper that have been awarded through an institution. Yet in practice, employers, college admission committees, and others often quickly pass over these formal credentials and instead make decisions based on informal ones.” -Larry and Susan Kaseman
A common question from those new to homeschooling is “How will my child receive a high school diploma?” and the corresponding question is “How will he or she get along without one?” The answers are as varied as the homeschooling families themselves, because ultimately the question of whether or not to pursue getting a diploma of some kind becomes a family decision.
The articles featured here offer a information on credentials, and they offer many options, both for those who decide to attain them and for those who decide they aren’t needed.
Read through several of these articles and discuss them with your family, and perhaps with a few friends who may be facing the same questions about whether or not to pursue a diploma.
Articles
Credentials for Homeschoolers: Problem or Opportunity? by Larry and Susan Kaseman – “This column discusses what credentials really are, distinguishes between formal and informal credentials, explores what homeschoolers have learned about credentials, and suggests ways homeschoolers can get effective credentials that will serve them well.”
“How Do We Know When We’re Done?” by Cafi Cohen – “But how do homeschooling families decide when their teenagers have completed high school? What combination of academic work, accomplishment, and time is enough? How do families evaluate their teenager’s learning and decide What’s Enough?”
Homeschool Diplomas by Valerie Bonham Moon – “It’s getting to be that time of the year when homeschoolers’ fancies turn to thoughts of diplomas. In the case of homeschooling, the parents probably put more thought into the diplomas than the kids do. To help with what may be the final act of ‘official’ homeschooling, Judy Aron has blogged about documenting the home ed adventure.”
High School Graduation and Homeschoolers by Larry and Susan Kaseman – “Public school students in 25 states are now or will soon be required to pass a state-mandated graduation test to receive a high school diploma. This column will discuss ways these tests are likely to affect us as homeschoolers, provide relevant information about the tests, and suggest what ways we can minimize the damage such tests could do to homeschooling.”
The GED Option by Karen Kirkwood – “The General Education Development (GED) certificate serves as a valuable stepping-stone for some homeschoolers. Three of my nephews also have received GED diplomas. One recently started community college and another is working as a teller at a bank. The other one just finished his B.S. and is headed for a doctoral program. For homeschool students not planning to attend college, the GED diploma serves as a sign of accomplishment.”
No Diploma? No Problem. by Valerie Bonham Moon – “The article’s focus is on New York state, and California, but the trend could be spreading. For homeschoolers, the problem of the authenticity of parent-granted diplomas may slowly fade.”
User Friendly Homeschooling Records by Larry and Susan Kaseman – “This column will explore reasons for keeping personal homeschooling records and ways of doing this that support learning and do not interfere with it.”
Homeschoolers Also Earn Diplomas by Valerie Bonham Moon – “Home-granted diplomas can be issued by parents, this isn’t a new ‘wrinkle.’ I remember reading in an earlier edition of Donn Reed’s book The Home School Source Book, about the ceremony he and Jean had for their oldest daughter when she completed her course of study.”
Don’t Let Credentials Get You Down by Larry and Susan Kaseman – “Should we homeschoolers be worried about getting conventional credentials? Are homeschoolers’ futures jeopardized because the path to a conventional diploma is less clear-cut than it is for a student in a conventional school? Why and how is the process of getting a diploma becoming more complex? What choices do we have? This column will address these questions.”
Alternatives for 18-Year- Old Homeschoolers by Larry and Susan Kaseman “Increasing numbers of homeschoolers (and conventionally-schooled young people) are choosing alternative ways of living and learning after they reach age 18. They are moving beyond the widespread assumption that high school graduates should either go to college, get a full-time job and live on their own, or join the military. Instead, many homeschoolers choose to build on and expand what they have been doing: learning through life experience; pursuing their passions; interacting with people of many different ages; and doing real work that contributes to their own growth and development and strengthens them, their families, and their communities.”
Resources
Homeschool Diploma Photoshop Template From A to Z Home’s Cool “This is a Photoshop 7 template for a homeschool diploma from high school. Click on the graphic or the link to download the full-sized Photoshop file to your computer. You will need to have Photoshop installed on your computer, Mac or Windows, in order to make use of and edit this document.”
Best Homeschooling: Teen Years “Articles and links to information about high school years, colleges, getting into college, financial aid, CHSPE, GED, KLEP, and preparation for tests – as well as career information and opportunities other than college.”
Reprinted with permission from Home Education Magazine, original compilation by Mary Nix. All rights reserved. For information about use contact Home Education Magazine.
Testing, like many other educational concerns, should be a personal decision. Some questions to consider before making this decision include: which tests will be used and why, how might the testing process affect the learner, how will the test results be used, and are there less intrusive alternatives that can be utilized instead? Testing, in the home environment where parents are always very aware of how well their children are doing, is unnecessary and intrusive. Testing is under fire from many teachers and educators ,and many educational establishments are attempting to eliminate standardized testing in their schools. Very careful consideration should be taken before any testing is done to children for any reason. Looking for good information and perspective on standardized testing? Try these resources: