Minimum age for testing and enrollment

[Farmerboy]

I am also homeschooled, 16, and have completed 102 of 120 credits needed for a B.S. in business at TESC. To enroll at TESC I had to submit a letter to them asking that their age requirment be waived as I had completed so many credits. There really are no barriers that keep your son from getting his bachlors before the age of 18 especially if he is motivated! Cookderosa's suggestions are spot on. It is really exciting to see more and more homeschoolers and young people find out about this path to a degree.

Best Regards,

Farmerboy

[dave042]

Farmerboy- Congrats on your progress. I think the moderators should create a Doogie Howser forum for all you guys. Please tell me more on your studies. How long ago did you start taking your tests? Does your homeschooling integrate the CLEP tests? How often do you test, once a month? What methods do you use to prepare for the tests? Does your state require you to take mandatory testing? Are you studying other subjects besides the CLEPs?

[twosidneys]

Farmerboy,

Glad to hear this. My 15 year old daughter initially had trouble with Excelsior but when they discovered that she was taking university courses from a Canadian university and had her high school diploma, they tentatively said ok - BUT we need to have an official evaluation by an expensive evaluation outfit to prove that a Canadian high school diploma = a US high school diploma. They know that already,and living in Haiphong, Vietnam where I am working makes getting all of the paper work done a real pain, with much delay. Charter Oaks wouldn't budge on 16 but she is getting closer. I didn't try Thomas Edison but you have given me hope there. Our biggest problem now is that we can't test here (CLEP,DANTES,ECE) and she has to write all of her tests 23 or so in a few weeks back in the US/Canada. I am having a big problem finding testing people who will let her write exams day after day,several each day.

Good luck on your August 2008 grad!

Sidney

[Farmerboy]

Farmerboy- Congrats on your progress. I think the moderators should create a Doogie Howser forum for all you guys. Please tell me more on your studies. How long ago did you start taking your tests? Does your homeschooling integrate the CLEP tests? How often do you test, once a month? What methods do you use to prepare for the tests? Does your state require you to take mandatory testing? Are you studying other subjects besides the CLEPs?

I started taking test about two and half years ago. At first, I did 2 to 3 tests a month but I slowed down when I started on my business requirements. As far as methods, I used REA and Comex guides for the CLEPS and got the first textbook recommended on the DSST fact sheet for the Dantes. I would also go through IC a couple of times to solidify the material and then take a practice test. If I scored over 55% on the practice test I would take the real deal if not I would review more on IC and do another read-through on the texts.

Idaho is probably one of best states to homeschool in, as they do not require any tests or registration. I do take standardized testing through a local organization with many of the other homeschoolers in Idaho. What state do you live in and do you have any restrictions?

Best Regards,
Farmerboy

[Farmerboy]

I am having a big problem finding testing people who will let her write exams day after day,several each day.


Sidney[/QUOTE]

I would try the University of Phoenix if there is one near you. At my location they were very helpful and allow me to schedule tests with very little notice. Are you coming back to the States or Canada?

Farmerboy

[twosidneys]

I had luck with the University of Phoenix in Calgary. I knew a prof there and that helped. At least that solves the CLEP exams. Now I'm working on scheduling the Dantes and ECE exams but that shouldn't be so hard. I'm most of the way through scheduling the Dantes, I hope!

My children had their education in school. As their principal and with cooperative teachers, they were able to proceed fairly naturally. The educational hierarchy doesn't make this easy though. They were a little quieter when Donna wrote her state exam in Grade 12 English ( a very big one, very well supervised, marked at the provincial capital etc.) at the age of 12 and got honours.

We will be back in Canada/US for 6 weeks before returning to Vietnam. It is a bit of a rush in trying to get all of the exams done, attending two weddings in different places and visiting relatives.

Sidney

[cookderosa]

I had luck with the University of Phoenix in Calgary. I knew a prof there and that helped. At least that solves the CLEP exams. Now I'm working on scheduling the Dantes and ECE exams but that shouldn't be so hard. I'm most of the way through scheduling the Dantes, I hope!

My children had their education in school. As their principal and with cooperative teachers, they were able to proceed fairly naturally. The educational hierarchy doesn't make this easy though. They were a little quieter when Donna wrote her state exam in Grade 12 English ( a very big one, very well supervised, marked at the provincial capital etc.) at the age of 12 and got honours.

We will be back in Canada/US for 6 weeks before returning to Vietnam. It is a bit of a rush in trying to get all of the exams done, attending two weddings in different places and visiting relatives.

Sidney

>

Sidney,
With your child's ability clearly being very high, I would encourage you to consider having her sit AP (Advanced Placement) testing. The information can be found at the College Search - SAT Registration - College Admissions - Scholarships website. When push comes to shove, AP can do more for a bright child than CLEP/DSST. If her aspirations are for competitive college admissions, AP is the only way to go.

[knucyt]

Cookderosa - it does seem that APs can be a good intellectual challenge for bright kids, but there appears to be an issue with 4 yr schools now refusing to accept them for college credit. I can only offer anecdotal experience (and you may have far more specific knowledge than I do) but it might be important for parents/young students to check w/specific schools on whether they still give credits for APs exams - I have a lot of friends whose kids have been applying for college in the last 18 months to 4 year schools and all of them have said the schools refused to give them credit for AP exams at this point. Community colleges do accept them for credit and are mopping up the market in that regard! So depending on the goal - intellectual challenges versus getting credit - results may vary!

[dave042]

Quote:
I started taking test about two and half years ago. At first, I did 2 to 3 tests a month but I slowed down when I started on my business requirements. As far as methods, I used REA and Comex guides for the CLEPS and got the first textbook recommended on the DSST fact sheet for the Dantes. I would also go through IC a couple of times to solidify the material and then take a practice test. If I scored over 55% on the practice test I would take the real deal if not I would review more on IC and do another read-through on the texts.

Idaho is probably one of best states to homeschool in, as they do not require any tests or registration. I do take standardized testing through a local organization with many of the other homeschoolers in Idaho. What state do you live in and do you have any restrictions?

Best Regards,
Farmerboy

Farmerboy- For 8th grade, Arkansas only requires him to take a math and English test. 9th grade will require additional testing but I'm not sure. His mom is checking with the school district on the tests.

From the many CLEP/ECE/DSST tests you have taken, which tests were the easiest? I want to build his confidence with the easier tests first. Were there any tests which were similar that you were able to take both in one day? If so, which ones did you pair? Do your parents offer any rewards or incentives when you pass any of your tests?

[cookderosa]

Cookderosa - it does seem that APs can be a good intellectual challenge for bright kids, but there appears to be an issue with 4 yr schools now refusing to accept them for college credit. I can only offer anecdotal experience (and you may have far more specific knowledge than I do) but it might be important for parents/young students to check w/specific schools on whether they still give credits for APs exams - I have a lot of friends whose kids have been applying for college in the last 18 months to 4 year schools and all of them have said the schools refused to give them credit for AP exams at this point. Community colleges do accept them for credit and are mopping up the market in that regard! So depending on the goal - intellectual challenges versus getting credit - results may vary!

>>

Wow really? I hadn't noticed that. Just curious, which colleges were refusing credit? I know that based on score, your credit award may vary. For example, a competitive college may only award credit for a score of 4 or 5, where a community college would happily accept a score of 3.
Of course it does depend on the college, on your score, and on largly on your major.

I can't imagine that there is a college in America who awards CLEP credit but not AP?? Are you sure? I would just double check that before ruling it out.