AMDG+

Dear Parent;

Good for you for recognizing that your son has accomplished some of his high school credits already, and for granting credit for work accomplished.

Yes, you may transfer any hours recorded for work completed. Others who are starting the High School of Your Dreams program part way through their high school years may do this also.

For example, if a student completed Algebra I his freshman year, no matter how many hours it took to finish the book, he may receive credit for completing the course, just as he would in public school. [In fact, most public school classes never complete their books by the end of the year, so any student who does is ahead of the curve.]

The same goes for any other course work completed, whether with text or any other means. If your student has completed coursework, that you can document at least in part, you may give credit for those hours.

Those who are not accustomed to recording hours spent on coursework are often quite surprised to learn that students have actually logged far more than the standard 180 hours generally expected for class completion.

For example, a year's English class might be divided into one semester [90 hours] of literature, and one semester [90 hours] of composition. Standard literature classes often consist of taking roll, disciplining unruly pupils, reading, watching movies, field trips to the theater, and discussing those books/movies/plays.

Does your student discuss with you what he has read and watched? Does he write reports on literature read, Shakespearean drama seen live or on video, or write to friends or relative about the experience? Does he have a blog, or pen pals? Does he journal about trips, projects, or daily life? Does he keep a spiritual diary? Does he write papers for history, or science? Any writing or critiquing/discussion of his writing counts toward English credit. Perhaps he is artistically talented and likes to create pen and ink drawings of the characters in Dante's Inferno. Since he has to read the material to get a picture of the characters, even his drawings count toward English credit. It doesn't have to look like school to be school; rather, it has to look like learning.

An aside that might do a better job of explaining hands-on credit: In times past, and in some Third-World countries today, doctors didn't receive training in medical school, but by shadowing experienced doctors and learning from them. At times, no text books were involved at all; yet, after months or years of observation and hands on experience, a trained doctor was the end result. School doesn't have to look like school to be school; rather, it has to look like learning.

Finally, if at all possible, try to document your son's work, whether by saving papers, projects, or photos of projects. Be sure to have him keep track of book titles and authors, as well.

May God bless and guide you on your homeschooling journey.

Nancy Nicholson