GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: AMALehigh is a rising sophomore at Lehigh University, majoring in Finance. He answers questions about academics, networking, finance, Greek life, or Lehigh in general. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our July Checklists for HS Juniors and HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.
Test optional for homeschoolers too?
milgymfam
1544 replies28 threads Senior Member
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Test optional for homeschoolers too?
Not necessarily.
Not necessarily. Some states don't require that.
Although my lot have had their share of disappointing teachers, the teachers were at least all qualified to some external standard. I know some amazing homeschool parents- but I also know some kids whose parents were simply not up to the job of prepping their kids for college.
There is no requirement in my state that a homeschooler follow any program, create rubrics, or have a level of rigor. I think most do, but they don't have to ever have taken a written test, or a standardized test and can have a 4.0 gpa. The schools may not require test scores, but the application may not be very strong without them.
Where do you live where a traditional student can complete everything on the rubric and NOT get an A? At my school all 6 students would get an A along with everyone else who completed everything on the rubric. If I did otherwise grading, I'd be the one getting into trouble.
Our school uses rubrics precisely so students can see what is expected of A/B/C level work on a project.
My kids went to a catholic school. In 4th grade a girl joined the class and went from an A student to a C student fairly quickly. When her mother asked what the problem was she said "They only give you one chance on the tests! If you get the questions wrong, you can't redo them!"
Most classrooms will have a reasonable grade distribution because the class has a reasonable distribution of ability and effort levels. That's different than saying, "the top five kids in this class had a 100% average, and get As. The next-highest kid got a 99%, which would normally be an A, but there are already so many As that they'll get a B instead."
If everyone performs at the highest levels, why wouldn't everyone get an A?
Homeschooling has the advantage of moving at that student's pace, of scheduling tests or other evaluations at the best times for that student, of repeating work until it is mastered (which is a great thing). It's up to the parent to set the rules.
Of course there's comparison, but yes, technically every student could get an A. On some projects, most do, but in general, not every student wants to get an A. Some look at the rubric and feel, "That's all I need to do to get a C" and stop there on purpose. My "Generally A" lad had many students tell him, "You know you don't need As to pass. You only need a C." That's just as much of a mindset as the top "driven" student mindset TBH - perhaps even more common than it where I work.
Tests don't have rubrics. Those have set numerical numbers to get an A (93 or higher). If every student got a 93, they'd all have As (well, A- if I get technical, a true A requires a 95). No different with rubrics.
Classes are not the same. Technically they might be Bio Level 2 (our average level - generally college bound), but within the first block class you might have 2 really good students and in the 4th block class you might have 15. Bell curve grading wouldn't suit at all. It'd be awful.
Seems uncommon for high school courses to use curve grading. Usually, they have a preset percentage like 90% = A, 80% = B, etc.
He had an ACT test score though. (And a couple DE/AP.) That wasn't the exception. (No SAT or SAT II and not quite a traditional transcript with courses.)
The worst admissions can do is tell you they won't make an exception. Then the student has the option of jumping through the hoops or going elsewhere. It was an easy choice for my lad when literally every other school he was interested in was more than willing to accept his app as it was (they accepted him too). Why test for one school? (Emory wanted SAT II from homeschoolers and wouldn't budge. Again - their loss - though honestly I'm not sure it would have been his first choice over where he went when he made his decision.)