[dawn53]

I homeschooled through 9th grade, then sent my 15 year old to the local college. We have a great program called dual enrollment, and if they can pass the College Entrance, they can take classes for free that count as college and high school credit.

That being said, and on a completely different topic, I think the effect of the "self-esteem" overemphasis in our public education can be seen in TV shows like American Idol.

You have people who absolutely can't sing, and when they're told they can't sing, they refuse to believe it, choosing rather to insult the judges and refute their judgment.

I've pondered this for a couple seasons, and decided it must be the public schools instilling the "feel good about myself" attitude into kids on such a grand scale, that they don't even realize that they aren't talented.

[valkyrieanne]

homeschooled through 9th grade, then sent my 15 year old to the local college. We have a great program called dual enrollment, and if they can pass the College Entrance, they can take classes for free that count as college and high school credit.

High school students can do this too; my daughter's been racking up college credits at the same time she's going to high school. Keep in mind that this is at one of those evil public schools that are supposed to be all "failing." The advanced biology course she took was the equivalent of the one I helped teach as a graduate student, in college. Her history course is considered the full equivalent of a college course, as are her English literature and art history. These are classes she's taking on the high school campus. When she gets a car, she can also take classes at the local university as well, but unfortunately not at a reduced rate (our state is feeling poor these days...)

[kittymyrib]

There is also the problem of parents thinking their child is gifted, when he is at best, an A student who simply does the work...a rarity in class these days but not a sign of superior intelligence. The reason the parent deems the child "gifted" is because he is smarter than the parent, which is not all that hard!

[Warlord David]

I homeschooled through 9th grade, then sent my 15 year old to the local college. We have a great program called dual enrollment, and if they can pass the College Entrance, they can take classes for free that count as college and high school credit.


What state(s) allows this? Never heard of this before.