Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

Hi ladies.

Okay, we are into week four and I need some support. So far,
lots of great kid interaction, we've seen lots of movies, played
games, read books, gone ot the library and all that stuff. I feel
fine about our family life and I feel good about our decision to
unschool.

Here's where I need some perspective.

My oldest (15) is in Algebra II at the local high school. He is a
sharp kid (in all the ways I know him). He's taught himself guitar
(plays well for being at it 6 mos.) plays piano beautifully, reads
voraciously. He loves music and books and is really into the
computer.

Until now, he's always done well with math. He's taken a couple
of co-op clases (like biology and Algebra I) and came out with As
and Bs.

But this is the public high school now. Not homeschool co-op.
He had an A- at midterm and now ended up with a C+ for his
final semester grade. He's studied a lot. I mean a lot. He goes in
for early morning help and has had a little tutoring too. He had a
97% on the homework but just isn't doing well with testing in
class.

This gnaws at me. It's what made me almost quit
homeschooling him. I felt like maybe he needed a bigger dose
of that kind of learning to overcome the test phobia and bugs. But
then I spent all of Christmas break reading and rethinking. I can't
bear the thought of putting this artistic, musically inclined kid into
the straight jacket of school.

Yet he wants to go to college and we don't know how else to do it
with math (paying for math is out of reach for us and our co-op
didn't offer it this year). What have you all done about testing and
school habits (for college prep)? I don't want to stress over this.
But I find that I keep coming back to it in my head. Will he actually
be able to handle college? How will we know? Will this C+ from
a high school stand out as proof that homeschool hasn't
educated him enough when we apply to colleges? Am I
overcompensating in my head by saying he's actually smart
when really he isn't because the tests are proving it?

What about those stories that hoemschooled kids would do
better than their peers in school? Is that propaganda?

I guess I need some options and some vision. Have your kids
taken four years of math for college prep? Does it matter if they
do? What do you think about being ready to operate in that
sphere at the point they choose to or want to? How do you
help/support them so they succeed?

Thanks,
Julie B

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected], Shyrley
<shyrley.williams@v...> wrote:

>
> Can't he just drop maths? Isn't a C good enough?
> I dropped maths at 16 cos it was irrelevant to what I wanted to
do at university. I think of the 1000 people in my high school, only
30 were doing a maths course.
>
> Shyrley

Not if he wants to go into computers. He is interested in music
techonology or computer gaming (and all the stuff that goes with
that--design, musical scores, storyboarding) and what we read
says that four years of math is expected.

But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
I don't about this?

Julie B

Shyrley

"Julie Bogart " wrote:

> Hi ladies.
>
>
>
> Here's where I need some perspective.
>
> My oldest (15) is in Algebra II at the local high school. He is a
> sharp kid (in all the ways I know him). He's taught himself guitar
> (plays well for being at it 6 mos.) plays piano beautifully, reads
> voraciously. He loves music and books and is really into the
> computer.
>
> Until now, he's always done well with math. He's taken a couple
> of co-op clases (like biology and Algebra I) and came out with As
> and Bs.
>
> But this is the public high school now. Not homeschool co-op.
> He had an A- at midterm and now ended up with a C+ for his
> final semester grade. He's studied a lot. I mean a lot. He goes in
> for early morning help and has had a little tutoring too. He had a
> 97% on the homework but just isn't doing well with testing in
> class.
>
> snipped
>
> Yet he wants to go to college and we don't know how else to do it
> with math (paying for math is out of reach for us and our co-op
> didn't offer it this year). What have you all done about testing and
> school habits (for college prep)?

<snipped>

Can't he just drop maths? Isn't a C good enough?
I dropped maths at 16 cos it was irrelevant to what I wanted to do at university. I think of the 1000 people in my high school, only 30 were doing a maths course.

Shyrley

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/2003 10:39:09 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:
> But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
> I don't about this?
>

Does he have a college picked out? What are their requirements? Will a
portfolio of his own work count? Have you actually researched the COLLEGE
itself? Go interview with the head of the department. He may be able to take
COLLEGE courses NOW, and have them count towards his degree. What about
internships and auditing college classes?

Things aren't as black and white as the school system would have you believe.


~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@a...
wrote:

>
> Does he have a college picked out?

Yes.

What are their requirements? Will a
> portfolio of his own work count? Have you actually researched
the COLLEGE
> itself?

I think this is what has me spooked. it's Xavier Univerwsity. my
dh teaches there and my son *loves* the school. I went to their
admissions meeting for children of staff. The head of
admissions had very few things to say about homeschoolers so
I appreached him afterwards. He told me that they scrutinize
homeschoolers far more carefully and that they need to see that
he is capable of college level work. If he takes any clases from a
hs or jr. college, these grades will tell them more than all of the
work he's done at home. :( He also said to KEEP everything,
including text books used (ugh), work completed and so on.

They are most interested in ACT or SAT scores. So far, he's done
well on ACT which relieved me some.

Go interview with the head of the department. He may be able to
take
> COLLEGE courses NOW, and have them count towards his
degree. What about
> internships and auditing college classes?

Noah has audited one class. I hope he can enroll in one in the
next year or two (after he's driving).

We get some kind of discount if he goes to Xavier, but I am
willing for him to go elsewhere. he just has his heart set on it at
this point.
>
> Things aren't as black and white as the school system would
have you believe.

Yeah, well I sure hope you're right. he's only a sophomore, so I
suppose a lot can change between now and then.

Julie B

Shyrley

"Julie Bogart " wrote:

> --- In [email protected], Shyrley
> <shyrley.williams@v...> wrote:
>
> >
> > Can't he just drop maths? Isn't a C good enough?
> > I dropped maths at 16 cos it was irrelevant to what I wanted to
> do at university. I think of the 1000 people in my high school, only
> 30 were doing a maths course.
> >
> > Shyrley
>
> Not if he wants to go into computers. He is interested in music
> techonology or computer gaming (and all the stuff that goes with
> that--design, musical scores, storyboarding) and what we read
> says that four years of math is expected.
>
> But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
> I don't about this?
>
> Julie B
>

It might depend on the university. I can only speak of English ones but I ditched maths at 16 and was accepted to do a neuroscience degree in London which was heavy on statistics. In fact, in their
brochure they stated that A levels (we do 3 at 18) required were Biology, Chemistry and another one. My A levels were English, Religious Studies and History. Bad grades too cos I went to the Glastonbury
Festival instead of revising for the exams.
Because I took two years off between High School and University they gave me an interview and were more interested in my attitude and interests than exam results from 2 years previously. English
universities can be quite flexible and some are more interested in the person than what bits of paper say. I've heard some American ones are the same way.

Shyrley

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/2003 10:54:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:
> I think this is what has me spooked. it's Xavier Univerwsity. my
> dh teaches there and my son *loves* the school. I went to their
> admissions meeting for children of staff. The head of
> admissions had very few things to say about homeschoolers so
> I appreached him afterwards. He told me that they scrutinize
> homeschoolers far more carefully and that they need to see that
> he is capable of college level work. If he takes any clases from a
> hs or jr. college, these grades will tell them more than all of the
> work he's done at home. :( He also said to KEEP everything,
> including text books used (ugh), work completed and so on.
>

Head of Admissions is NOT whom you should talk to. Go to the head of the
department. The only thing Admissions is interested in is
numbers/stats/testing. Talk with someone who will have actual CONTACT with
your son. Have him start hanging out there on a regular basis. Go to whatever
"fundays" they host or whatever. Audit. Get "KNOWN". Go where the grad
students/TAs hang out. He'll be better off KNOWING the faculty of the school
he'll be attending than the lame admissions director (whose job ENDS after
the $$'s in).

The Head of the Department is who can waive requirements. No one else. If he
skows he's CAPABLE, that counts for way more than some test/texts/curriculum.

Also check out other schools. Every school looks like THE one. Have him visit
many---especially ones that excel in what he's interested in.

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@a...
wrote:

>
> Head of Admissions is NOT whom you should talk to. Go to the
head of the
> department. The only thing Admissions is interested in is
> numbers/stats/testing. Talk with someone who will have actual
CONTACT with
> your son. Have him start hanging out there on a regular basis.
Go to whatever
> "fundays" they host or whatever. Audit. Get "KNOWN". Go
where the grad
> students/TAs hang out.

Never even thought of that! Good idea.

>
> The Head of the Department is who can waive requirements.
No one else. If he
> skows he's CAPABLE, that counts for way more than some
test/texts/curriculum.

Okay. I feel empowered. Thanks Kelly.
>
> Also check out other schools. Every school looks like THE one.
Have him visit
> many---especially ones that excel in what he's interested in.

Yes, I'm aware of that too. We will. I just know that he's the
homebody of the bunch and the thought of being close to us
(even living at home initially) is also part of the appeal.

Thanks for your input. Helpful!

Julie
>

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected], "Karin"
<curtkar@c...> wrote:

> What is it about the testing that is messing up his grades?
> Is he making little calculation mistakes or is he entirely not
grasping the
> concepts and problems?

Little Calculations mostly. All of his math teachers (he's had five
counting homeschool co-ops and two private tutors) have told
me that Noah really grasps the math concepts but is notoriously
non-detail oreinted and misses the little stuff (signs, negatives,
and little things that screw up the whole problem).
>
> If it's just calculation mistakes, it's just a matter of him being
more
> careful and perhaps double and triple checking his work
before moving on to
> the next problem.

That's where his time is running out and he's just not getting
back through things quickly enough to make changes.

Maybe he just has to get the
> hang of taking tests - maybe he doesn't like the feeling of being
under
> pressure and having limited time. I think that in time, he could
work at
> being a better "test taker" if that's what the problem is.

I'm convinced this is the problem.


Maybe even
> practice taking tests at home in a more relaxed environment?

Yeah, we need to do more of that.
>
> I don't think a "C" grade is so bad, either. That's just average -
it's not
> bad. My husband has his associates degree in
computer-something, bachelors
> in business, and masters in computer science. He just
scraped by on math and
> doesn't have a "math" head, but still is a whiz with computers,
both the
> hardware and software and has a great job. Don't let this initial
school
> experience get you or your son down. Keep at it if it's his goal
and what he
> wants. He can make it.

This was soooo encouraging! Thank you. I will share that with
him.

Thanks for taking the time to help me.

Julie B

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 8:19:43 AM, julie@... writes:

<< Yet he wants to go to college and we don't know how else to do it
with math (paying for math is out of reach for us and our co-op
didn't offer it this year). What have you all done about testing and
school habits (for college prep)? >>

Lots of people go to college having not taken much math, or having taken it
in high school and not really understood it. Lots of people unschooled,
never took a class, and see it for the first time, formally taught, in
college.

The people I've talked to did NOTHING about prepping school habits. Often a
good unschooling life is better college prep than anything else, because the
kids know that what they learn THEY learn, they can't wait for the teacher to
tell them.

They take the ACT or SAT or whatever, and just go.

Test taking can be practiced by just speed trials of problems in the book,
maybe, but does he REALLY need to practice test taking?

Does he need an A or B in this class?

Is he there for the learning or for the grade?

<<Will he actually be able to handle college? How will we know?>>

Was he actually able to ride a bicycle?
How did you know?

<<Will this C+ from
a high school stand out as proof that homeschool hasn't
educated him enough when we apply to colleges? Am I
overcompensating in my head by saying he's actually smart
when really he isn't because the tests are proving it?
>>

THIS IS SCARY.
This is not an unschooling attitide, if you're thinking that tests scores
prove or disprove "smart."

<<
What about those stories that hoemschooled kids would do
better than their peers in school? Is that propaganda?>>

It is and would be impossible for ALL homeschooled kids to do better or for
ALL to do worse. Each kid's an individual. Did you get a homeschooled
guarantee? I sure as hell did not.

You would be feeling better about your son right now if he hadn't taken that
class, it seems. If that's true, I think it was a mistake for him to take
the class. But you weren't unschooling when he first signed up in there,
right? (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

You wrote earlier in the month:
-=-Middle child looks appalled. "How can we still learn math if we
don't do it every day? How will we be ready for high school or
college?" (I can see I've instilled that thinking thoroughly.)-=-

I think maybe some kids can't learn math if they *DO* "do it every day,"
because it becomes a thing separate from real uses.
Why would unschooled kids need to be "ready for high school"?

<<Have your kids taken four years of math for college prep? >>

I'm surprised you would honestly ask unschoolers that. NO.

Did you take four years of math before you went to college? New Mexico
requires two. I took ONE. I got a degree at 21.

Is there someone there who could dash cold water on you maybe?

<<What do you think about being ready to operate in that
sphere at the point they choose to or want to?>>

If they want to and they don't feel ready they will find a way to GET ready,
just as they've done with every other project or plan along the way.

How old is your school-attending son?
Maybe he could take a community college course (not math) in something
interesting that might also on the side involve math (photography?
astronomy?) and that would help him feel better, and he might also meet some
teens or adults interested in similar things.



Sandra

Kelli Traaseth

I also know that even without a college degree, let alone the high school classes, he could do computer work and movie work.

My two older brothers are prime examples of this, they didn't take advanced math classes in high school, didn't go to college,

One brother is a computer systems analyst/programmer, the other brother is an engineer/inventor of medical devices and has a full time position with GE.

Just a thought,

Kelli


kbcdlovejo@... wrote:In a message dated 1/28/2003 10:39:09 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:
> But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
> I don't about this?
>

Does he have a college picked out? What are their requirements? Will a
portfolio of his own work count? Have you actually researched the COLLEGE
itself? Go interview with the head of the department. He may be able to take
COLLEGE courses NOW, and have them count towards his degree. What about
internships and auditing college classes?

Things aren't as black and white as the school system would have you believe.


~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 10:39:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:

> But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
> I don't about this?
>
> Julie B
>

DISCLAIMER.. I could ALWAYS be wrong

But, having a Jr in high school myself, I know where your coming from. (
although I dont homeschool him) My understanding is that grade transcripts (
from high school or home school) along with SAT scores are a BIG
consideration in college acceptance. Extracurriulcar activiites (or
community involvement ) and essays are also a big determinant to being
accepted into college. So, if he wants to score decently on his SATS, he
will need to learn the math. 800 being a perfect score in math, I think a
500 would be decent, but certainly not outstanding. A lot probably depends
on where he wants to go to college and what he wants to study. Maybe check
out some college requirements from some colleges hes interested in.

Teresa


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/2003 12:51:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,
grlynbl@... writes:


> My understanding is that grade transcripts (
> from high school or home school) along with SAT scores are a BIG
> consideration in college acceptance. Extracurriulcar activiites (or
> community involvement ) and essays are also a big determinant to being
> accepted into college.

For SCHOOLED children---because there's no other way to "evaluate"
them---they've spent the last 12-14 years in a classroom. Many colleges now
are actively PURSUING homeschoolers because they have a thirst for learning
that schooled kids DON'T have. We had a college here at the conference last
year doing JUST that! Going AFTER unschoolers! Marketing FOR them! Major
COOL!

Don't be intimidated by admissions talk. That lingo is for schooled kids.
Google alternative colleges, colleges/unschoolers, homeschool/colleges.
~K


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Susan Fuerst

....Head of Admissions is NOT whom you should talk to. Go to the head of
the
department. The only thing Admissions is interested in is
numbers/stats/testing. Talk with someone who will have actual CONTACT
with
your son. Have him start hanging out there on a regular basis. Go to
whatever
"fundays" they host or whatever. Audit. Get "KNOWN". Go where the grad
students/TAs hang out. He'll be better off KNOWING the faculty of the
school
he'll be attending than the lame admissions director (whose job ENDS
after
the $$'s in).

The Head of the Department is who can waive requirements. No one else.
If he
skows he's CAPABLE, that counts for way more than some
test/texts/curriculum.

Hi Julie,

I think this is especially good advice considering that Xavier is a
relatively small school. I imagine the Jesuit tradition would initially
frown on unschooling....until they came to understand it, which they may
or may noe be willing to do. But most math departments heads would give
their eye teeth to have a really interested student over those who are
there for the degree and the "success" they believe that paper will
bring them.

You said Noah gets 97% on his homework.....I imagine his understanding
of math is fine. And I do believe if this is his area of interest, he
will be able to do well.

Susan

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 10:54:19 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:

> Yeah, well I sure hope you're right. he's only a sophomore, so I
> suppose a lot can change between now and then.
>
> Julie B
>

I see that you already knew or got the same advice from others that I
responded. (Somebody may have responded to this too).. From what we've
learned, Colleges look at Jr -Sr grades, test scores, etc much closer than
Freshmen/ Soph. ( at least I HOPE SO!.. Landon pretty much scrapped 9th and
10th grade).. So, dont despair, if he really wants to go to college, its
VERY feasible that he can go to the college of his choice

Teresa


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 8:39:14 AM, julie@... writes:

<< Not if he wants to go into computers. He is interested in music
techonology or computer gaming (and all the stuff that goes with
that--design, musical scores, storyboarding) and what we read
says that four years of math is expected. >>

Stop reading that stuff.
They want people to UNDERSTAND math or be interested in learning it.

They're used to dealing with kids coming out of high school.

Julie, I will try to be gentle:

-=-But hey! I'm willing to be wrong.
Does someone know something I don't about this?-=-

LOTS of people know something you don't know about it.

If you're going to unschool, you need to dump the school baggage. I'm
serious.

If you care more about what someone at school said one school expected from
someone else's school, you should put your kids in school.

Sandra

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected],
SandraDodd@a... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 1/28/03 8:39:14 AM, julie@b... writes:
>
> << Not if he wants to go into computers. He is interested in
music
> techonology or computer gaming (and all the stuff that goes
with
> that--design, musical scores, storyboarding) and what we read
> says that four years of math is expected. >>
>
> Stop reading that stuff.

Okay. Just lingering doubts.

> They want people to UNDERSTAND math or be interested in
learning it.
>
> They're used to dealing with kids coming out of high school.
>
> Julie, I will try to be gentle:

(Why do you have to try? Am I that hard to be gentle with?)

>
> -=-But hey! I'm willing to be wrong.
> Does someone know something I don't about this?-=-
>
> LOTS of people know something you don't know about it.

Well, that's why I'm here. And that's why I wrote the above.
>
> If you're going to unschool, you need to dump the school
baggage. I'm
> serious.

Okay, that's what doing. Really. But some of that thinking dies
hard.

Remember you said that simply lifting controls without a gradual
process can be too overwhelming for kids? Well same with
dumping old thinking. it helps me to replace it with something I
can hang onto.

I've had no troulbe embracing unschooling with younger kids.
But I've been deeply impacted by the idea or college and that's
the one I am working through now.
>
> If you care more about what someone at school said one
school expected from
> someone else's school, you should put your kids in school.

Geesh. Just trying to come to grips with stuff. This seems
needlessly harsh. What about saying, "Julie, some of us went
through that and hung on and got to the other side. You can too"?


Sandra, am I bugging you? I have appreciated all the replies I've
rec'd in this group to date. That's why I'm still here. Your last two
emails mystify me. I guess I thought that part of getting out of the
other mindset is being able to talk about it and get new
information to replace the old. You've been incredibly helpful and
yet now I get the distinct impression that I am annoying you.
Would you rather me post these questions somewhere else?

Or am I misreading you? Email can be tricky that way. I hope I've
just misperceived your tone. So far I've been taking your
comments with good humor. But this last one ("I'm trying to be
gentle") made me think: Wow, she actually wants to land on me
and is holding back!

Ouch!

I was thinking that if one of my kids was asking questions that I
felt had obvious answers, I'd still want to be gentle and help
them to move forward in the thinking. So I come here with the
same expectation. Let me know if I've got it wrong. I don't want to
be guilty of derailing the purpose of this group with my inquiries,
if they are considered really off topic.

Thanks.
Julie B

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 11:29:55 AM, julie@... writes:

<< You've been incredibly helpful and
yet now I get the distinct impression that I am annoying you.
Would you rather me post these questions somewhere else? >>

If you post them elsewhere, they'll tell you YES, HELL yes, make him do that
math homework, make him take four years of math, why were you ever thinking
unschooling could work anyway, put them ALL in school, get Saxon math and
make them do that and the make them do more chores.

"Support" for what you're doing is available anywhere.

I thought you wanted to become an unschooler.

If I encourage you to worry about his C+ I'm not supporting what you said you
wanted.

If this list gets filled up with people worried about kids who are in public
school, I'll just leave.

<<I don't want to be guilty of derailing the purpose of this group with my
inquiries,
if they are considered really off topic.>>

If you want support for having a kid in school, this isn't the best place to
get that.
If you want to be supported in not believing in unschooling, this isn't
probably the best place.

If the other 1100 people want to encourage you to press those math tests,
they can jump right in and do it. I can't even begin to do that, though. I
think tests and grades do more harm than good.

Sandra

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected],
SandraDodd@a... wrote:

>
> I thought you wanted to become an unschooler.
>
> If I encourage you to worry about his C+ I'm not supporting
what you said you
> wanted.

Duh! I want you to encourage me not to worry about it and tell me
why. Why would I ask here otherwise? <g>
>
> If this list gets filled up with people worried about kids who are
in public
> school, I'll just leave.

Sandra. I think you misunderstand me and perhaps others who
post here. We are not where you are. We are learning. We are
not askin for support to continue with school but support on how
to live with this new idea and have it work.
>
> <<I don't want to be guilty of derailing the purpose of this group
with my
> inquiries,
> if they are considered really off topic.>>
>
> If you want support for having a kid in school, this isn't the best
place to
> get that.
> If you want to be supported in not believing in unschooling, this
isn't
> probably the best place.

Sigh.

I can't believe you think I am asking for support in school. I am
asking what to do about it. And I hoped that the help I'd get would
strengthen my conviction that unschooling will indeed work even
for college, even with this current class situation.

So far, that was the help I have rec'd. And I appreciate it.

Guess I pushed your hot button.

Julie B

Karin

julie@... wrote:
> But this is the public high school now. Not homeschool co-op.
> He had an A- at midterm and now ended up with a C+ for his
> final semester grade. He's studied a lot. I mean a lot. He goes in
> for early morning help and has had a little tutoring too. He had a
> 97% on the homework but just isn't doing well with testing in
> class.


What is it about the testing that is messing up his grades?
Is he making little calculation mistakes or is he entirely not grasping the
concepts and problems?

If it's just calculation mistakes, it's just a matter of him being more
careful and perhaps double and triple checking his work before moving on to
the next problem. You say he's doing well with his homework so that leads me
to think that he IS understanding the work. Maybe he just has to get the
hang of taking tests - maybe he doesn't like the feeling of being under
pressure and having limited time. I think that in time, he could work at
being a better "test taker" if that's what the problem is. Maybe even
practice taking tests at home in a more relaxed environment?

I don't think a "C" grade is so bad, either. That's just average - it's not
bad. My husband has his associates degree in computer-something, bachelors
in business, and masters in computer science. He just scraped by on math and
doesn't have a "math" head, but still is a whiz with computers, both the
hardware and software and has a great job. Don't let this initial school
experience get you or your son down. Keep at it if it's his goal and what he
wants. He can make it.

Good luck~

Karin

Jim Selvage

Kelli,

Can you tell me how your brothers got these jobs? My husband is great with
computers and such but does not have a college degree. How would he go
about getting into that line of work?

thankis,
erin
>
> I also know that even without a college degree, let alone the high school
classes, he could do computer work and movie work.
>
> My two older brothers are prime examples of this, they didn't take
advanced math classes in high school, didn't go to college,
>
> One brother is a computer systems analyst/programmer, the other brother
is an engineer/inventor of medical devices and has a full time position with
GE.
>
> Just a thought,
>
> Kelli

Betsy

**What is it about the testing that is messing up his grades?
Is he making little calculation mistakes or is he entirely not grasping the
concepts and problems?**

Also, the teacher may be writing his own test problems rather than
taking them from the Teacher's Edition of the text. (In contrast to
homework problems, which most likely come straight from the book.) The
test problems could be more difficult, either accidentally or on
purpose, or they could be less clear. One more thing to consider.

Betsy

Have a Nice Day!

There are ways around SAT's.

Take a few courses at a time, non-matriculated. Get a job too.

Then apply to college.

I doubt very much the colleges ask 34 year old mothers applying to college for the first time for SAT scores.

Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: grlynbl@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 12:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Week four/ Needing support


In a message dated 1/28/03 10:39:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:

> But hey! I'm willing to be wrong. Does someone know something
> I don't about this?
>
> Julie B
>

DISCLAIMER.. I could ALWAYS be wrong

But, having a Jr in high school myself, I know where your coming from. (
although I dont homeschool him) My understanding is that grade transcripts (
from high school or home school) along with SAT scores are a BIG
consideration in college acceptance. Extracurriulcar activiites (or
community involvement ) and essays are also a big determinant to being
accepted into college. So, if he wants to score decently on his SATS, he
will need to learn the math. 800 being a perfect score in math, I think a
500 would be decent, but certainly not outstanding. A lot probably depends
on where he wants to go to college and what he wants to study. Maybe check
out some college requirements from some colleges hes interested in.

Teresa


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have a Nice Day!

Duh! I want you to encourage me not to worry about it and tell me
why. Why would I ask here otherwise? <g>

Ok here's why:

I can take any test and pass it with flying colors. ANY test. I don't need to know the content. I've DONE it on several occasions.

I did NOT know the content. One was the analysis of literature CLEP worth 6 points. I saved myself about 1800 dollars by taking that exam and got the equivalent of a B on it....and I knew NOTHING about analysis of literature. I didn't even study.

I took and passed both the CCRN (Critical care registered nurse) exam and the state paramedic exam. I didn't spend one iota of time studying for EITHER of them.

Several of my friends with WAY more experience and knowledge than I had failed those tests over and over again.

Tests do not measure ANYTHING except "how to take a test". Many many good profs/teachers know that. They are the ones you want to work with.

Kristen


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have a Nice Day!

One more thing Julie...this is now the "networking" age.

Its not about WHAT you know. Its about WHO you know. If you work on "who" you know you'll find people who understand that a love of learning with a lack of expertise is a whole lot better than no love of learning with minimal expertise (public school grads)

If your child is networking, he'll get where he needs to be. It might not be at the college of his choice, but thats not a bad thing.

There are hidden blessings in having to look elsewhere to get what you need without conforming to someone else's agenda and expectations.

ok now someone remind me I said this when I start panicking!!

Kristen


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kelli Traaseth

Julie B said:
>Guess I pushed your hot button.

Could the hot button possibly be the fact that your son is not unschooling (he's in school, right?) and its hard to recommend things for unschooling when its not what is happening?

Maybe?

Kelli



"Julie Bogart <julie@...>" <julie@...> wrote:--- In [email protected],
SandraDodd@a... wrote:

>
> I thought you wanted to become an unschooler.
>
> If I encourage you to worry about his C+ I'm not supporting
what you said you
> wanted.

Duh! I want you to encourage me not to worry about it and tell me
why. Why would I ask here otherwise? <g>
>
> If this list gets filled up with people worried about kids who are
in public
> school, I'll just leave.

Sandra. I think you misunderstand me and perhaps others who
post here. We are not where you are. We are learning. We are
not askin for support to continue with school but support on how
to live with this new idea and have it work.
>
> <<I don't want to be guilty of derailing the purpose of this group
with my
> inquiries,
> if they are considered really off topic.>>
>
> If you want support for having a kid in school, this isn't the best
place to
> get that.
> If you want to be supported in not believing in unschooling, this
isn't
> probably the best place.

Sigh.

I can't believe you think I am asking for support in school. I am
asking what to do about it. And I hoped that the help I'd get would
strengthen my conviction that unschooling will indeed work even
for college, even with this current class situation.

So far, that was the help I have rec'd. And I appreciate it.


Julie B


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kelli Traaseth

One brother just got a job working for the state, entry level, worked his way up and found his niche, he struggled through high school and started working for the state at 18, he's now 42.

My other brother also struggled through high school. He took a few courses at a university, while working an entry level position at a hospital, became a respitory therapist. He then worked with some docs as a respitory therapist and told them of some ideas he had for improving some of their devices. He designed a hand held device that moniters gases an individual inhales and exhales, the old model the docs were using was about the size of refridgerator.

Anyway, they got some rich guy to back it and they are trying to produce them, its been a very hard road. Meanwhile, he's had to earn a living, he met people at GE when he was promoting his product. They were impressed with his knowledge, not his degrees, which he has none. Hired him to do trouble shooting with different projects that the accredited engineers can't figure out. He's now 47.

I'm very proud of both of them.

I don't know if this helps with your husband. I bet if your husband was able to get into any type of job with a somewhat sizeable company he could show them his knowledge and he would be an asset to the company.

Kelli


Jim Selvage <jselvage@...> wrote:Kelli,

Can you tell me how your brothers got these jobs? My husband is great with
computers and such but does not have a college degree. How would he go
about getting into that line of work?

thankis,
erin


Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.
William Wordsworth


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Julie Bogart <[email protected]>

--- In [email protected], Kelli Traaseth
<kellitraas@y...> wrote:
>
> Julie B said:
> >Guess I pushed your hot button.
>
> Could the hot button possibly be the fact that your son is not
unschooling (he's in school, right?) and its hard to recommend
things for unschooling when its not what is happening?
>
> Maybe?
>
> Kelli


Kelli, he's at home all except for this one class and has only ever
been home his whole life. This is a total change for us (using the
school system for anything) and I don't like it!

Btw, even in the TLHB by Grace Llwellyn, there are examples of
using schools as a resource for classes of interest. That was
one of the places we even heard of the idea.

But it's been harder on me than I thought it would be. So I was
hoping for support (which I've gotten) about how to interpret the
results. That's what I wanted.

And we don't know what we'll do next year.

At this point, we are unschooling as far as I can tell based on the
definitions here.

Julie B

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/03 2:54:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
litlrooh@... writes:

> I doubt very much the colleges ask 34 year old mothers applying to college
> for the first time for SAT scores.
>

Maybe the person doesnt want to wait til they're 34 just to avoid SATs



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/28/2003 4:20:49 PM Eastern Standard Time,
grlynbl@... writes:
> > I doubt very much the colleges ask 34 year old mothers applying to college
>
> > for the first time for SAT scores.
> >
> Maybe the person doesnt want to wait til they're 34 just to avoid SATs

The point IS that there are other ways around SATs. AND getting into college.
MANY ways.

The box needs to get soooo small, you have to crawl OUT!

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]