This is the outline from a talk Alicia gave at the Minnesota Catholic Homeschool conference in 2006. She hopes to fill in the details at some point.
Why Should We Educate?
- to form convictions
- to develop intelligence
- to acquire knowledge
- to form character
- to cultivate virtues
Virtues of a Homeschool Family:
(in the context of Faith, Hope & Charity)
- diligence
- humility
- patience
- enthusiasm
Opportunities for Personal Growth:
- sacraments
- service
- good reading
- making connections
- developing convictions
- well-roundedness
- closeness to family
- developing independence and taking responsibility
Challenges:
“Real World” Skills:
- competency
- organization
- “follow-through”
- time management
- job skills (typing, computer, basic math, etc.)
- “people skills”
Academic Skills:
- time-management
- managing deadlines
- thinking skills (underlies all other academic skills)
- outlining (organizing thoughts)
- note-taking (drawing out the most important things)
- discussion (articulating thoughts, making connections, etc.)
- diagramming (dissecting complex thought)
- writing
- reading comprehension
- math
College Notes:
- Stay informed and ask questions – especially during admissions process.
- Let your children take responsibility.
- The college they attend should be a place they can thrive.
- Graduation requirements don’t always meet admissions requirements.
- SAT or ACT tend to be much more important than transcripts.
Further Reading, Websites and Resources:
Catholic:
A Catholic Homeschool Companion edited by Maureen Wittmann & Rachel Mackson
Catholic Education: Homeward Bound by Kimberly Hahn and Mary Hasson
High School of Your Dreams by Nancy Nicholson
Catholic Authors: Crown Edition: Grades 11-12 (Neumann Press)
Another Sort of Learning by Fr. James Schall
Young and Catholic by Tim Drake
Declaration on Christian Education (Vatican II)
Catechism of the Catholic Church and Compendium Catechism of the Catholic Church
Fellowship of Catholic University Students
Intercollegiate Studies Institute College Guide (not entirely Catholic, but very Catholic-friendly and many Catholics on staff)
Other:
Home School, High School, and Beyond: A Guide for Teens and Their Parents by Beverly Adams-Gordon
Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne Gowen Dennis
Homeschoolers’ College Admissions Handbook: Preparing 12 to 18 Year Olds for Success in the College of Their Choice by Cafi Cohen
College Planning for Dummies by Pat Ordovensky
Links:
College Board Info on Homeschool College Admissions
Stanford University Article on Homeschool Admissions
Learn in Freedom: Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers
College for Special Needs Students (not necessarily homeschooled)