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Getting Started with Home Schooling: Practical Considerations

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© Beverley Paine

The other day I was asked: "One of my concerns is that if I decide not to register and my children decide to want to pursue tertiary studies, can that still happen?" This is a slightly different version of a question that comes up frequently in the Homeschool Australia online support group.

Homeschool registration during the primary and/or high school years is not a prerequisite to entering any kind of tertiary educational institution. Unregistered homeschoolers have gained entrance to courses of their choice at universities across Australia, as well as at TAFE or other colleges. And homeschooled students as young as eleven are enrolled in Open Learning University subjects, with or without registration as homeschoolers.

It is worth remembering that tertiary entrance selection criteria may change considerably between now and when your six year old will be ready for university. I know the wheels of change turn slowly, even in this electronically aided world and that not a lot has changed in the last couple of decades, except perhaps that more universities are open to the idea of accepting home educated students, and some overseas institutions actually advertise for them... There is already a private university based in Sydney actively seeking homeschooled graduates.

Homeschooled students who wish to gain entrance to tertiary studies at the moment consider the options available to them and take the path that best suits their needs, or the compromise that will get them what they want or need. This often involves either doing years 11 and/or 12 at school, through distance education, through TAFE or a private college; approaching the university faculty direct with a portfolio and talk their way in; enrolling in Open Learning University (available for students aged 11+) and working toward a degree, or through 'bridging' subjects. Some students chose to work through certificate 1-4 at TAFE or accredited colleges. This is also a legitimate path to university.

Hmeschoolers have the advantage of thinking of the traditional high school years as a gradual transition from a prepartory curriculum (covering the basics which allows students to be self-directed competent life-long learners) to selecting and trying out subjects and courses that match their talents, learning styles and passions.

A child who is really keen on cooking and has a creative flair at the age of 12 could be specialising a lot sooner than her schooled peers. A well designed homeschool curriculum won't ignore and will integrate important areas of learning not obviously related to the interest, giving the child the opportunity to move to something else if she desires at the age of 15. However, should she continue with her passion for cooking by the time she is 16 she could well be studying at certificate 2 (apprenticeship entry level) and gaining valuable work experience through employment. By the time she's 20 she will already be working competently at a job she loves while her uni student schooled peers are beginning to realise they have chosen the wrong uni course because they don't know what they really want to do!

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	Choosing Homeschool Curriculum
	Getting Started - how to write your own learning programs
	Natural Learning Answers
	Beverley's E-books
	Learning Without School - how 30 families homeschool
	The Homeschooling Trail - Christian unschooling life
	Learning in the Absence of Education - how we did it
	Practical Homeschooling Booklet Series - your questions answered!
	Educational Games Booklet Series - make learning fun!
	Practical Homeschooling Language Development Series
	Natural Learning Series
	Homeschool Diaries
	Ready to use Portfolios / Report Cards
	Sample Learning Programs
	Stock Clearance

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