Graduating Homeschooling

I received an email from Shirley in South Africa. Her message opened my eyes to the different situations all over the world regarding homeschooling. Even in the US options vary from state to state. Research the options for where you live so you know your options and your decisions will be well informed decisions.

Message: HI RebeccaI believe we have to change our thinking and our children’s thinking and help them to understand that they need a much wider range of skills than a traditional high school diploma will ever give them.

In South Africa, where I live, homeschoolers cannot get accepted to colleges with a transcript like they can in the USA and the few, accepted, traditional high school diplomas they can achieve from home, are very expensive.

For many homeschoolers the GED® is NOT THE MEASURE of the education they have received, BUT IT IS THE TICKET they need to the gain entrance to universities and colleges, particularly here in South Africa. It is fast becoming very popular as an alternative school leaving certificate. Homeschooling is comparatively new in our country and homeschoolers are still fighting to earn the reputation at universities that Americans have already achieved. Our homeschooled children are not recruited and welcome to colleges as they are in the USA.

Here the GED® does not have the stigma of being for high school drop outs.

I don't homeschool my children so that they can earn a 'reward' and accolades, I do it to equip them for life and for two of them so far, the GED® is just stepping stone on that path. I know the quality of education they have received; I don't need a diploma to prove it.

I believe we have to change our thinking and our children’s thinking and help them to understand that they need a much wider range of skills than a traditional high school diploma will ever give them, in order to be successful in the milieu of 21st century. This article explains how the GED® facilitates that - http://onlineged.co.za/2017/07/29/fresh-perspective-ged/

Each school leaving option has opportunity costs. Parents need to weigh up the pros and cons of each choice and decide which route will equip their child best for the direction he or she will follow.

I recently became a service provider for the GED Academy™, providing an online study programme to help homeschoolers prepare for the GED® tests. I have worked very hard to help homeschoolers in South Africa to learn more about how to follow this route and get accepted to universities and many of them are.

Circumstances may differ in the USA and in other places. Parents need information about the pros and cons of each option so that they can make an informed choice.

Respectfully,
Shirley Erwee

Shirley Erwee is a homeschooling mother of 6, who has been home educating since 1997. She is also a curriculum provider, author, home education activist, advisor, and GED® consultant in South Africa.