8th grade daughter and U.S. History I CLEP

[ryoder]

DifEq kicked my butt. It was sobering to say the least.

[valsacar]

I noticed another user here that had in their sig block that their HS students have almost all the credit requirements for a BA... I think that's a great plan and intend on doing it myself when my son is older.

[burbuja0512]

I noticed another user here that had in their sig block that their HS students have almost all the credit requirements for a BA... I think that's a great plan and intend on doing it myself when my son is older.

My DS started with CLEP a bit later than he probably could have, because I really didn't think that I could homeschool. After all, I work full time, study, travel for work etc... However, when he was totally failing out of public high school due to ADHD issues and with the school totally unwilling and unable to help him, I figured that I couldn't do any worse! Now he is VERY studious and totally on track to meet his goals with 10 college credits under his belt less than a month after his 16th birthday!

What I have found is that older children can learn very well with an adult 'coach' but don't need their hand held constantly. I work from home, so yes I am here to help them, but as long as I plan things out ahead of time, I don't need to take any time out of my work day.

The plan for my other kids is to go to public school until 6th grade or so, then use 7-8 grade to do college prep-type stuff and maybe a test or two, but only if they're ready. I don't want to push it, but by the time they're 14-15, they are probably ready if they're doing well academically and should likely have a degree by the time their peers graduate from high school. This will make grad school much more bearable (since they won't have taken 4-6 years of their life on the undergrad!) and not to mention that it's a heck of a lot more cost effective.

DD is in 7th and has joined in the homeschooling this year. She's really advanced and wants to do a test, but we'll see...

[valsacar]

That's really great, right now trying to get my wife into it but she needs A LOT of hand holding even with physical classes. She's doing ENG101 right now (English is not her first language, but she's basically fluent) and the hardest part is getting her to understand that ROUGH draft doesn't mean publishable paper

[Gooberman11]

We started CLEP testing at 13 (end of Frosh year). Now have 24 Cleps done plus 3 Akeks credits (14 now-just started Jr year). Love the road you are taking, but we are looking at TESC. I agree with everyone else about really keeping an eye on what your grad school is looking for. Another thought: even if you test out of some sciences it may give you a strong base for when you have to take the class in grad school (making the course just a little easier). Good luck to you and have fun!!

[rebel100]

Other than the cost factor I don't see a big downside to clepping anything the kid wants to study. I grant you that you may have to retake Biology or math later, but the foundation is still there. By completing the CLEP/DSST the child is demonstrating knowledge and building confidence.

So what if one day later you have to take a few more classes. My daughter is looking at that very option now, but the CLEP's work for her CC program so they were not a waste in any way. Even with her AA, the 4 year program she likes is only going to accept 12 credits of clep. I still think she has developed the great foundation she needed.