According to Sue Feldman, Ph.D., President of Peak Performance Test Prep, “Many students and parents over-focus on the SAT/ACT at the expense of the other test scores which have been and/or are becoming increasingly important factors in the admissions process.” Feldman explains that parents and students who approach the Subject Tests as an afterthought to the SAT generally end up paying for it: “The forums of College Confidential and similar sites are filled with parents’ and students’ regrets about the SAT IIs.” While only around 100 of the 3,000 colleges and universities across the country use SAT Subject Tests in their admissions decisions, the 100 that do, tend to be the most selective and prestigious schools. For schools like Stanford and Harvard, which accept only 7-10% of the 30,000+ highly-qualified students seeking admission each year, Subject Test scores are often as important as SAT or ACT scores. Given grade inflation and uneven standards, these colleges look to SAT Subject Test scores as another critical indicator of a student’s preparedness for, and ability to succeed in, college.

Aside from underestimating the importance of SAT Subject Tests, Feldman claims students and parents often don’t recognize the importance of not only taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses, but also excelling on AP exams. Students applying to elite or competitive universities are expected to have taken at least some AP courses, as these courses are recognized to be more rigorous and academically challenging. While in the past only the most elite universities used candidates’ self-reported AP scores as an admission factor, Feldman notes that more and more colleges are now asking to see students’ AP exam scores during the admissions process. The recent addition of spaces for students to self-report their AP exam scores on the Common Application means that college admissions offices are now looking at thousands of applications that include students’ AP scores. Colleges recognize that a student’s performance on the AP exam provides an objective and reliable indicator of whether a student has truly mastered a subject and possesses the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in college.

In order to help students improve their performance on AP exams and SAT Subject Tests, Peak Performance Test Prep conducts 6-week courses at Pierce College and Cal State Northridge (CSUN) for several of the more popular tests. Peak Performance is currently accepting enrollments for its AP Exam Review Courses in AP Calculus AB, AP U.S. History, and AP Literature and Composition. These courses, which are taught by a certified AP teacher, begin March 10 and run through April 28. Enrollments are also being accepted for 6-week SAT Subject Test Prep courses in Literature, U.S. History, and Math Level II; the courses begin April 21 and run through May 26. In addition to its AP Exam Review courses and SAT Subject Test Prep courses, Peak Performance Test Prep offers several courses for the SAT Reasoning Test and a variety of private tutoring packages. For more information on Peak Performance Test Prep, you can visit the company’s website at peaktestprep.com or call (855) 234-PEAK. ?

You no doubt already have the basic subjects covered in your curriculum: Reading, writing, math, history, arts, science, geography, social studies … all of these things have an endless variety of resources available to you! None of them are likely to be that intimidating to teach either; after all, those topics were part of your own fundamental education! But how are you going to handle Computer Science?  Today this critical subject is more important than ever, yet many teachers and homeschool parents are not sure how to get started!

Growing Up in the Digital Age

Kids in school today have never known life without the Internet, laptops, cell phones, and a dizzying array of computer games. Your students may be more techno-savvy than you are! Using email, word processing programs, web browsers, and social networking tools are probably second nature to your plugged-in children. But how much do they really understand what is going on underneath the exterior?

Who is writing all the software that your kids are using?  Computer scientists or programmers are the ones driving these innovations! Computer programmers understand the tools, languages, and techniques needed to create new software. While this may sound like an arcane, difficult subject, in reality computer programming is very accessible to every student!  Modern, easy-to-use programming languages and robust, free development environments can be used by anyone with the proper training.

Your Most Popular Subject

Imagine providing a subject in your homeschooling program that your students can’t wait to study! Tell your kids they can learn how to write their own computer programs and games and watch their eyes light up. You will not have to twist any arms to get those homework assignments finished! Instead of sitting around playing video games, your students could be learning the skills necessary to write their own!

Odds are that your own computer science experience is somewhat limited. You might never dream of trying to teach a programming language to your students based on an old FORTRAN course you suffered through 30 years ago. Fortunately, today, self-study courses can guide your students step-by-step through the programming process with minimal teacher involvement. You don’t need a fancy computer lab.  If your students are already comfortable using a computer then they are ready to learn how to write their first program!

Some of the more widely-used computer languages in academic and professional settings today include Visual Basic, C#, Java, and C++.  Skills your students build in these languages will not be thrown away as they move to the next level in school or business. A solid foundation in these languages can support a nearly limitless variety of applications from personal computers to robotics to mobile phones!

Find a Lifelong, Rewarding Passion With No Economic Downturn in Sight!

You might think that all computer jobs have been outsourced overseas. That’s simply not true!  Research from ZDNet and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there is a real shortage of trained professionals to fill the computing needs of local technology companies. Throughout the recent economic downturn, computer jobs have seen steady growth and salary increases.

Why are Computer Science graduates in such demand?  Simple supply and demand! A survey by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) in 2009 showed the enrollment in computer classes was down significantly in high-schools across the country.  The main reasons cited were:  the fast pace of computer technology, lack of qualified teaching staff, and lack of curriculum resources. Another recent poll by the Computing Research Association found that enrollment in BSCS degree programs dropped 20% in 2007 and another 10% in 2009.

You can provide a quality Computer Science education for your homeschool student even if you’re not an expert yourself!  All you need is a personal computer and an eager student.  Self-study courses are available that teach students how to write their own computer programs and, yes, games!  Why not make these available to your student and spark a passion for Computer Science today?

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About the Author

Chris Yust from Homeschool Programming, Inc. is co-author of the KidCoder and TeenCoder computer programming curriculum for 4th-12th grade students. Find out more about computer programming for kids and teens at http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com!  References for all quoted statistics can be found on the website Newsletters area.

In Ohio, Great Oaks Career Campuses is a public career-technical school district with four campuses where homeschoolers will be able to attend a campus for their junior and senior years to become certified in one of dozens of professional fields. This opportunity to also simultaneously earn college credit would have otherwise not been possible for homeschoolers if they had decided to continue their homeschooling curriculum for those last two years.

While college-bound homeschoolers might have the knowledge and skill sets necessary in order to do well in a future career, employers today still take into account proper educational credentials through accredited colleges and universities in their hiring process. Once a homeschooler is of age to take advantages during the window of opportunities between their late teens and their freshmen year of college, they can start researching their local options for getting college credit for the subjects they are most interested in. Doing this will help save money in the long-run when students avoid paying for freshmen-level general education classes upon their arrival to a college or university.

If you wish to view the original article that this blog was based on, please see here.

Indiana University gives these students the opportunity to earn their college degree from home. By taking courses through the undergraduate Independent Study Program, students can earn an Indiana University Associate of Arts in General Studies (60 semester credit hours) or Bachelor of General Studies (120 semester credit hours).

General studies students pursue an interdisciplinary plan of study that encompasses three areas of learning:

• arts and humanities

• social and behavioral sciences

• mathematics and natural sciences

They complete required course work in these areas. In addition, they complete electives that suit their individual needs, and they may concentrate their course work in specialized fields. Graduates of the program go on to graduate and professional schools, and they pursue a full range of careers.

Below is a story about general studies student Natalie (she asked that we not use her last name). Natalie is a homeschooled student who earned her high school diploma by taking independent study courses through Indiana University High School. She was so pleased with the high school program that she enrolled in the General Studies Degree Program. Read on to learn about Natalie’s independent study experience.

Meet Natalie

General studies student Natalie believes there are two components to education: Book work and social interaction. The book work is a given, but social interaction is something that students must cultivate for themselves. A distance education student living in Florida , Natalie does both very well.

Natalie, 17, has always preferred completing her book work through home study. When asked why, she doesn’t hesitate to answer. “In one word,” she says, “the flexibility. With home study, I can set my own schedule and do volunteer work and travel.”

Natalie asked her parents if she could complete high school through home study. In theory, they wanted to say yes, but they didn’t feel they could take on the responsibility of teaching Natalie. When Natalie’s dad brought home an Indiana University catalog, they knew they had found a solution. Natalie enrolled in the Indiana University High School diploma program. “We liked having real teachers, lesson plans, and feedback,” she explains.

The bright and energetic Natalie — who went from sixth grade into high school — graduated from the diploma program at age 15. She began her college career by taking traditional courses on a small campus, but then decided to transfer into Indiana University ‘s General Studies Degree Program. “My parents and I liked the wide range of courses,” says Natalie, “and IU is a respected university. We lived in Indiana for 12 years, so we knew about its reputation.”

Natalie prefers to take online courses rather than correspondence courses. Although she likes the written feedback she gets from instructors in correspondence courses, she loves the ability to upload her assignments directly to the Web. Having taken online courses from other universities, Natalie says that IU’s courses are superior. “They are set up differently from other online courses,” she explains. “Each course has many different components. The instructors create an online framework for you. The courses provide a lot of help, so you’re able to digest more and learn better.”

Natalie says she has had some excellent instructors. Currently, her favorite instructor is her creative writing teacher. “I love to write,” she says. “This instructor gave me a warm welcome to the course. She turns lessons around quickly and offers constructive criticism and personalized feedback by e-mail. I recently submitted a poem for her to review. She liked the poem but said that a different title would really make it ‘pop.’ I thought about it and realized she was right. I like being challenged to ask myself, ‘What can I do to make myself better?’”

As Natalie talks about her instructors, it’s clear that she values the interactions she has with them. In fact, it’s clear how much she values all social interactions in her statement: “Education isn’t just the book work, it’s also the social interaction. Students who attend classes on a traditional campus can take advantage of several opportunities for social interaction. With home study, you must create your own extracurricular activities.”

And create she does. A recent transplant to Florida, Natalie has wasted no time in identifying volunteer opportunities. She’s a tour guide at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida’s state art museum. The museum grounds include the Ringling’s mansion, Cà d’Zan, where Natalie also leads tours. She’s recently volunteered for the Sarasota Film Festival, where she’ll assist the events coordinator.

In addition to her volunteer activities, Natalie participates in several other extracurricular activities. In February 2004, for example, she was featured in the ABC Family Channel’s program, Switched. The concept behind the show, Natalie says, is to take two teenagers and have them switch lives for four days. Natalie traded places with a younger high school student and had to return to traditional school. “I went to a punk rock concert,” she exclaims, “and I’m a classical music person!”

In addition, Natalie bakes, and someday she wants to own her own bakery. She’s been exploring Sarasota and introducing herself to the various bakers around town. Last year, she was a finalist in the Johnson and Wales University high school recipe contest. Johnson and Wales, Natalie explains, has a prestigious culinary school. Contestants in the recipe contest, she adds, are high school students from all over the country. After being named a finalist, she traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, to participate in a bake-off. Her recipe, which she created, was a low fat maple-pecan pie. As a result of the contest, she received a $3,500 scholarship to Johnson and Wales.

As Natalie looks to the future, she speculates that she may return to a college campus one day — to take advantage of the social opportunities. For now, she is content to enjoy the flexibility of home study: “Indiana University ‘s independent study courses, provide an excellent, quality education. If you work hard and do your work well, you’re going to learn a lot.”

For more information about earning an IU degree or diploma through independent study, call 800-334-1011, send e-mail to scs@indiana.edu, or visit the Web at http://scs.indiana.edu.

Your child wants to attend college – maybe a major university with lofty standards and billing to match. Where do you start? What does it cost? How will you ever do this alone? You won’t have to if you contact College Assistance Plan of Hanford.

Parents everywhere know that the long journey from high school junior (or earlier) to college freshman is daunting and can be fraught with peril. . . for parents and students. If your child wishes to attend a school in the top 500 nationwide, you and s/he will have a huge amount of work to do to prepare for the SAT and other college entrance assessment exams; figure out the financial aid landscape and how to fit into it to best suit your situation; plan campus visits, housing and much more.

Sylvia Robinson of College Assistance Plus has over 26 years of experience of successfully guiding families of prospective college students through these steps and she is committed to working with families to help them realize their college goals without going into massive debt to do so. There are many “unknown” (not well-publicized)  financial aid programs available by private foundations and non-profit organizations, as well as the better-known aid programs and Sylvia can analyze your situation and inform you of the types of aid available.

Sylvia does this for a living, so she knows current programs, practices and strategies for planning this most-important part of your child’s life. Call her today for a no-obligation FREE college financial consultation! “Get a degree, not debt.”

Homeschoolers deserve to get credit for all the hard work they do… college credit. How can your student build up an impressive transcript that documents advanced learning? How can you inspire your self-motivated teen? Consider all the benefits of credit-by-examination programs. These programs allow homeschooled students to earn college credit in undergraduate subjects while still in high school. There are two other big advantages: your student saves time on the path to higher education and you save significant dollars in college tuition costs.

Click to visit the web site

In brief, credit-by-examination programs work like this: Once students feel they have sufficient knowledge of a subject, they find a program that fits their needs, register for a test and then go take it at one of the designated test centers. These programs generally offer computer-based tests, so you get your results right away. After the test, as students apply to different colleges or universities, they can share their results and request college credit for the exams they have taken.

Think Ahead: Comparing Credit-By-Examination Policies
As your homeschooler begins the process of applying to a college or university, first find out if the institution has a credit-by-examination policy. Many institutions will grant credit — but not all do. Some limit the amount of credit students can earn through exams. And different institutions may award a different number of credits – or just a requirement exemption – for the same test. It’s worth looking into well before you make any decisions.

There are many well-known credit-by-examination programs, including a new one called UExcel®, which is taking the testing model to the next level. The UExcel program was jointly created by two renowned educational entities – Pearson and Excelsior College. Pearson is a global leader in developing educational products for children, schools, universities, adults and corporations. Excelsior College is an accredited, nonprofit distance education institution with nearly 40 years of experience offering credit-by-exam and online education programs.

Advancing the Testing Model
UExcel provides some unique advantages that other credit-by-examination programs do not:
1. Students who pass UExcel exams earn a letter grade and college credit on a transcript from Excelsior College. All other testing programs simply provide a score that may be translated into credit or simply into a course waiver. Only UExcel provides students with direct credit that can be counted toward graduation requirements.

2. Because there are thousands of Pearson VUE test centers around the globe, UExcel exams can be scheduled at the student’s convenience rather than at limited times and locations.

3. You get immediate results – even on the College Writing essay exam – so students know their grade right away. After the exam, students can request formal transcripts from the UExcel website.

Most credit-by-examination programs cover a range of subjects. For example, with UExcel, students can prove their proficiency in Calculus, College Writing, Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Political Science and Physics. A Spanish exam is set to launch later in 2010. Homeschool students can create a customized advanced high school curriculum by simply choosing the exams they are most interested in and studying at their own pace without having to take a correspondence or Internet course. To guide a student’s effort, UExcel provides free downloadable content guides, a list of recommended textbooks and inexpensive practice tests (around $18 each). Each exam is two hours long and most are in a multiple-choice format.

Calculate the Cost Savings
What about the cost? More than ever, people are trying to save money or find smart ways to make their dollars work harder. Each UExcel exam, for example, costs only $85, which translates to $14-$28 per credit, depending on the UExcel exam taken. That’s a huge savings when you consider the average community college cost per credit is $80, the average public university cost per credit is $220 and the average private university cost per credit is $820, based on an average course load of 32 credits per year (www.collegeboard.com). Taking and passing several UExcel exams can potentially save students and parents thousands of dollars while advancing the pace of the student’s academic career.

“Students and parents around the world are struggling to pay for a semester’s worth of college tuition, let alone an entire two- or four-year education,” said Randy Trask, vice president of market development, Pearson VUE. “The UExcel program is designed to help home school students quickly and affordably earn college credit for knowledge they already have, or are willing to obtain through self study.”

The Power of the Transcript
One of the biggest challenges with traditional credit-by-examination programs is that once students have taken a test, they just get a score. It’s up to individual institutions to review that score and interpret it as college credit or a substitute for a college-level class. But when students pass a UExcel exam, they receive a letter grade and credit from Excelsior College, a regionally-accredited institution, on an official Excelsior College transcript.

With this transcript in hand, homeschool students can submit it for transfer credit to their desired institution. Thousands of colleges and universities accept credit-by-examination, but credit is always awarded on a case-by-case basis. Having letter grades on a transcript may smooth the way for receiving transfer credit from their preferred university. Students will need to ask their college if they can receive transfer credit, waive lower-level courses or fulfill admission requirements using their transcript.

Credit Recognition Promotes Excellence
Like other credit-by-examination programs, UExcel exams have been evaluated by the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) for the award of college credit. To receive formal recognition by ACE, the UExcel program had to undergo a rigorous evaluation of test methodologies. The ACE CREDIT approval is assurance that these exams evaluate a thorough understanding of the subject matter that is worthy of college-level credit.

“Excelsior’s decades of experience and reputation in examination development and online education combined with ACE evaluation provides colleges and universities with assurance that the credit awarded is an accurate measure of expected college-level learning,” said Dr. Patrick Jones, dean of assessment at Excelsior College. “The cost benefit to students taking UExcel examinations can be significant.”

Getting ahead of the Game in College
For homeschooled children, getting into a good college can sometimes be challenging. These students have the intelligence and knowledge to do well in college, but some universities have difficulty determining just how much students have learned. Let’s face it, many schools of higher education lack confidence in the transcripts provided by homeschooled families, causing students to be waitlisted or denied admission. That’s where the UExcel exams can help because they provide a measurable and credible way for homeschooled students to demonstrate their learning. Having real college credit on an official transcript from an accredited institution, like Excelsior College, proves your student is ready for college-level coursework. A transcript provides the college admissions officer an objective point of reference for what the student has studied and how well he or she understood the material.

Succeeding on UExcel exams can actually do much more for your student than validate his or her education. It can help to demonstrate their motivation and dedication to higher education and become an extra point in their favor in the admissions process, putting them ahead of students with similar profiles. Better yet, once the UExcel exams help a student get into college, it will put them ahead of the game by saving both time and money on their college education.

Encourage Effort, Reward Achievement
You’ve chosen homeschooling for a reason: You want what’s best for your child. As you evaluate the next steps in higher education planning, consider the colleges and universities that will reward your homeschooler for all of her or his hard work. The credit-by-examination option may be just what you need to accelerate your homeschooler’s post-secondary education and save money in the process.

Learn More Now
Websites for credit-by-examination programs offer guidance on which college and universities accept credit-by-examination. They also offer complete information on registering for tests, plus practice test links, downloadable content guides and lists of recommended textbooks to help students prepare for exams.

• UExcel www.UExcelTest.com
• CLEP www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html
• DSST www.getcollegecredit.com
• Excelsior College Examinations http://www.excelsior.edu/exams

7 Questions to Consider when Choosing a Credit-by-Examination Program:

1. Do the tests cover subjects you already know or want to study?
2. Will your test results translate into credit at your desired institution?
3. Can you afford the expense? Will it provide a good value relative to the benefit it may bring?
4. Does the program provide exam preparation resources, like practice tests?
5. Does the program offer convenient test center locations?
6. After the test, when do you receive results?
7. What results do you receive? Scores? A college transcript with letter grades?

Key Benefits of Credit-By-Examination Testing

• Earn college credit. Credit-by-examination is accepted at thousands of universities and colleges across the country, although it is not guaranteed.

• Prove your student is prepared. Show potential institutions that your student already has the ability to excel at university-level coursework.

• Save time. Skip lower-level courses and prerequisites so your student can graduate early.

• Save money. Save thousands on college tuition costs by satisfying graduation requirements.

Visit the website, http://www.uexceltest.com/ for more information.

I like to make things simple. There are few things sadder than a homeschooling parent who would like to homeschool through high school, but is considering giving up because keeping high school records and creating a transcript sounds like an insurmountable challenge. I’ve been through the process four times with my own sons, and I’d like to share the basic steps that helped make recordkeeping simple. If you’re like me and you’d rather spend time with people than paperwork, you may find this five-step process helpful as well.

Create a Transcript: Five Simple Steps

1 Understand the purpose of the transcript and basic formatting guidelines.

2 Create a plan that covers core high school requirements in a way that is appropriate for the student’s learning style, abilities, and goals.

3 Accumulate essential records using Subject Worksheets and other organizational tools.

4 Create a blank transcript form on your computer and fill it in, semester by semester.

5 Calculate grades and record the grade-point average for each semester as it’s completed.

The Purpose of the Transcript

If you understand the purpose of the transcript, you can keep exactly (and only) the records you need. A well-made transcript is similar in form and function to a résumé. In just one or two pages, it briefly summarizes knowledge and experience in a way that allows an evaluator to easily compare your student to others. A transcript can also be a marketing tool that helps a college admissions officer see the breadth and depth of your student’s experiences.

Create a Master Plan

There are core subjects that need to be covered on every high school transcript (see sidebar), and there are many ways to fulfill these basic requirements. You can choose traditional textbooks, a literature-based curriculum, satellite school, classes in a co-op or community college, or other options. As you create your high school plan, be sure to talk with your teen to discover special interests or preferences. You’ll also need to consider his or her learning style, plans for the future, and the resources you have available. Just as in earlier grades, you’ll find that learning happens more easily when information is presented in a way that is appropriate for the student’s learning style. Auditory learners do well with audio and video resources; visual learners do well with books; and kinesthetic learners do best when they can move around and experience learning in a hands-on way. Each of the required subjects can be covered in a way that fits the learner.

If your student is college-bound, or if he or she will be earning college credits while in high school (my book, Get a Jump Start on College, explains how and why to do this), you must not only keep excellent records, but you also need to ensure that the classes you’ve planned meet or exceed the admission requirements of the college your student hopes to attend. Most colleges list these requirements, along with the academic profile of the average student admitted, on the college website. State graduation requirements are minimums — it is the college’s expectations that should guide your high school plans.

Keep Essential Records

I suggest creating a Class Profile, with an outline of readings and assignments, as a plan for each specific course. You may also record extra activities and readings by subject, on a form called the Subject Worksheet. In addition to Class Profiles and Subject Worksheets, have your student keep reading and activities logs so that you’ll be able to include extensive topical reading and non-traditional activities on the transcript. Other items to keep, include representative copies of student work, certificates and awards, and test scores. Keep these organized in a notebook, and you’ll have easy access to everything you need to create a transcript, and to provide supporting evidence for the grades you grant.

Create and Fill In the Transcript

There is a children’s song that has the line, “Little by little, inch by inch; by the yard, it’s hard; by the inch, what a cinch…” and it’s so true. If you fill in the transcript semester by semester, you’ll find that it’s quite easy. If you wait until the night before your student’s college application is due, it’s going to be harder (but you can do it). If you’re late in starting to keep records or create the transcript, don’t waste time feeling guilty — just get started! There’s a reason that Transcripts Made Easy begins with instructions for exactly where to start in the process, depending on what grade your student is in—recordkeeping is a job that is easy to postpone.

When your student begins to fulfill high school requirements, create a blank transcript form on the computer. The three sections you’ll need to include are:

* Identification Section: Contact information for the student and school;

* Course Record Section: The main body of the transcript, containing the list of courses studied, grades received, and quality points earned;

* Basic Information Section: The grading scale, key to abbreviations, and brief notes about important test scores and awards, and a signature line for the certifying parent.

There is no “one right format” — you may choose to organize by semester or by subject. As long as all three sections are included, the format is clean and uncluttered, and standardized test scores support the grades you have given, your student’s transcript will meet the goal of showcasing your student’s academic history.

Grades and Credits

At the end of each semester, record classes and grades on the transcript. Rather than listing just “English” as the class name, choose a title that offers specific information about what the student has learned. For example, if you list “English III: Survey of American Literature,” this identifies the class as the student’s third year of high school English, and clearly states what was covered. Similarly, “Multivariable Calculus” is more descriptive than “Math III,” and “Western Civilization to 1608″ is more specific than “History.” Your goal in creating descriptive class names is to provide a clear picture of your student’s academic interests and strengths.

Assign grades for each class as the student finishes the semester. Each letter grade has a numerical equivalent that is used to calculate the grade point average (GPA): A=4, B=3, C=2, and so forth. If the student is taking honors or college-level classes, the quality points assigned would be weighted, or have an extra half or whole grade point added, so that ‘A’ would equal 4.5 or 5 quality points.

To calculate the cumulative grade point average, add together all the semester grade point averages and divide by the number of semesters. Do not add the current semester to the previous cumulative grade point average, or your total will not be correct. To make the process extra simple, you may want to visit the free GPA calculator at www.FreeGPACalc.com. No matter how you figure the final grade point average, you can be sure that each college that receives your transcript will refigure it to ensure that all student transcripts they receive are calculated in the same way.

Remember the Goal

If you’ve been worried about recordkeeping through high school, I hope you’ll find that these steps take some of the mystery out of the process. Remember that while recordkeeping and transcripts are important, the ultimate goal of the high school years is help your teenager grow into a mature, well-grounded adult with a solid academic and spiritual foundation. As you include your teen in the planning and recordkeeping process, you can move together toward this goal. I think you’ll find that homeschooling through high school can be a time of encouragement and blessing for your entire family.

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Bio: Janice Campbell is the author of Transcripts Made Easy, Get a Jump Start on College, Excellence in Literature, a classics-based, college-prep English curriculum for homeschoolers, as well as Evaluate Writing the Easy Way. She is also Director of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (www.NAIWE.com) Visit www.Everyday-Education.com for more articles and a free newsletter on homeschooling through high school.

Appearance is key. Attire, neatness, and attitude are the first things noticed by an interviewer. Dress modestly. Shower, iron your clothes, and use light cologne. Be confident and greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. Always look him or her directly in the eye. Be in control. If a question throws you off-guard, never lose your cool.

At the interview, have your personal file with you, even if the school already has access to these important documents. Bring any finished projects relating to your proposed field of study. If you are interested in journalism, bring published articles from your school newspaper or writing samples. Include a smiling picture of yourself with these documents; this keeps your face on the mind of the interviewer long after you have left.

Be ready to answer a range of questions. Topics may include current events, literary works, and influential people in your life. Be descriptive. Answer with a paragraph, not just a single sentence. Always be honest, even if that means admitting ignorance. You may be asked you to describe your favorite ice cream flavor and how it represents you. Don’t let the interview become a one-sided conversation. Have questions prepared for the interviewer. Most importantly, hold a mock interview beforehand and practice with possible questions.

Prepare by researching the school’s campus life, classes and atmosphere. During the meeting, speak as if you are already planning to attend their college (E.g., “When I go here, I’m going to join the newspaper and run for student government.”). If the interviewer fails to notice some of your best assets, feel free to bring them up. These might include your SAT score, your G.P.A., community service, and leadership skills.

Hopefully, at the end of the interview you will hear, “I think you are a good match for this school.” Don’t be surprised if the interviewer keeps silent. Most colleges follow-up the interview by sending their answer in the mail. Be sure to send a thank you note to the person who interviewed you. He or she will probably keep it next to the picture of your smiling face.

This article is the work of author, Jean Burk. It is the property of Maven of Memory Publishing. Visit www.collegeprepgenius.com for further information.

Since the early 1980s, the Pell Grant Program has provided much-needed relief to students from a variety of secondary educational backgrounds, including those attending vocational schools in such programs as two-year nursing certification, court-reporting, paralegal, and legal secretarial, as well as the standard two- and four-year college paths.

The Pell Grant is based on financial need, which makes it a very utilitarian grant, with a large number of applicants able to qualify. A Pell Grant is not a student loan – it is a “gift” that is not repaid. For qualifying students in the 2010-2011 academic year, the Pell Grant amount is $5,550 per year, an increase over previous years.

In order to find out if you qualify for a Pell, you must begin by meeting these requirements:

▪  If you are in college, you must be seeking your first undergraduate degree (or vocational certificate)

▪  Meet the financial eligibility requirements

▪  Attend a college or vocational school that accepts Pell Grants

▪  Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA)

There are plans to increase to Pell Grant annual maximum amounts to over $6,000 by 2016, so its future seems quite secure. Visit the government website for complete information and downloadable worksheets & applications.

That’s what makes QuickCert’s new Employability Skills Training so timely. Developed and taught by a 30-year Human Resources vet, the 12-lesson course provides students with the know-how they need to secure long-term employment; and includes insider tips on resume preparation, job seeking, interviewing, acceptable work habits, coping with criticism and career management. Plus, the course’s interactive exercises will ensure your child has his or her own resume and networking list ready to go by the time it’s over.

With more than 15 million people out of work, your child needs every edge he or she can get to be competitive in a tight job market. Sharp employability skills can help him or her stand out to hiring managers filling a limited number of jobs … so can strong and demonstrable computer skills.

“Young adults new to job hunting have it tough,” says Kurt Hoernlein, QuickCert CEO and father to Barry (a recent high school grad).

“Not only do they have to find a job,” Hoernlein continues, “but then potential employers put them through a battery of tests to prove they have both the knowledgebase – and the ability to use the tools – to do it.”

No matter the type of job, at the overwhelming majority of corporations those “tools” include Microsoft Office’s Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

These writing, database, presentation and emailing computer programs are sometimes taught as school curriculum; but not always. And when they are, it’s not necessarily done so with on-the-job use in mind. For these reasons, QuickCert also provides training for Microsoft Office’s entire suite of applications (either individually or in a combination pack).

The Employability Skills and Microsoft Office Training courses range from $99 – $299, are designed for self-paced learning and are available through the Internet or on DVDs. This makes learning inexpensive, flexible and convenient; whether you prefer to guide your child through each lesson or let him or her learn around other studies and recreation.

Find out how QuickCert can help prepare your child today for the career he or she wants tomorrow. Call one of their Career Advisors at (888) 840-2378 and mention this article; or get started with a free demo lesson by visiting www.QuickCert.com/HomeSchool.