success Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Jun 01 2015

Does homeschooling prepare kids for college?

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years. To see all the topics, or to start at the beginning, click HERE.}

Fear #5

Homeschooling won’t prepare your kid for college

I love my job, I really do.

One of the reasons is because I get to use phrases like, “hog wash” and say stuff like, “preposterous” more than most people.

This is one of those times. That’s because the fear of homeschoolers not getting into college couldn’t be any more false than it already is. And yet it is. It’s actually more than false, negative-false, and false to the highest degree.

You see, homeschoolers get into colleges in very high numbers. I’m talking about all kinds of homeschooled kids, with all kids of homeschool backgrounds, into all kinds of colleges nationwide and overseas.

Want proof? All you have to do is start reading.

There are lots and lots of testimonials of homeschoolers succeeding in college, and lots and lots of research confirming exactly what you want to know — that homeschoolers rock college. Easily, too.

Did you know that homeschoolers are sought after by many colleges?

Did you realize that homeschoolers can actually get in more easily, may graduate sooner, might earn more financial aid, frequently enter with more early credit, and can even have a higher graduation rate than other students?

Do you get how well-prepared and attractive to colleges homeschoolers are, as compared to their same-age peers who’ve all had the same exact set of courses in high school?

Have you even thought about how [much more] amazing your kid is going to be after spending the next four years following a completely customized curriculum designed to turn him/her into a top college prospect?

Rest easy, parents. Your homeschooler will get in just fine. But if you’d like to read more, check out the links I’ve included for you below. You can also chat with me to make sure you’re doing all the right stuff to maximize your chances. I’d be honored to play a role on your successful team.

Other links of interest:

5 Days of College Prep High Schooling (a series of articles)

How do homeschoolers get into college?

Homeschoolers Pay for College

Bibliographies Worth Reviewing:

Homeschooling: A Comprehensive Survey of the Research (courtesy of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum)

Homeschoolers on to college (ERIC file)

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, atCircle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Feb 20 2014

Homeschool socialization illustrated

With all the chatter about socialization and homeschool isolation, I thought this might be a good day to post a little graphic for you all.

I regularly read the stats, so your takeaway may be different from mine, but what stood out for me on this one was the illustrated portion attacking homeschool isolation myths. In light of recent events on television and social media (like celebrities throwing their .02 into the pot), I found it a particularly good depiction of just WHERE and HOW homeschoolers actually learn.

Scroll down. Read carefully. And don’t forget to check out the bar graphs about homeschool success, too!

Help spread the good word by SHARING this entire link with your friends, will you? Leave a COMMENT below with your impressions, too!

Enjoy.

Source: BestMastersinEducation.com

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Jan 16 2014

{Day 16} Can Homeschoolers Win Honors And Awards?

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

Even when homeschooling is well understood, parents may worry their children won’t be treated the same. Moms and dads want to know if their students can still earn awards, graduate with honors, win scholarships, enter competitions, and do all of the other things that kids do. In my experience, high achieving parents in particular — those choosing homeschooling mainly for its academic advantages and the rewards that follow – often want reassurance that nothing will be missing from their child’s educational experience.

The good news is there is no shortage of honors, awards and titles available to homeschoolers. Homeschooled youth are recognized for their efforts and skills coast to coast. Many districts offer year-round opportunities where homeschooled students may participate. In districts that do not, regional homeschool groups usually pick up the slack and host activities of their own. I have seen the number of opportunities for homeschoolers increase tremendously in recent years. In fact, the only problem these days is choosing which of the many worthwhile titles to pursue!

It is very common to find today’s homeschoolers at spelling bees, 4-H fairs, robotics competitions, chess playoffs, geography bees, speech competitions, athletic playoffs, speaking as valedictorians at large graduations, and at many other events that showcase their records. Homeschoolers may be nominated for honor societies, too, as well as leadership programs, travel programs, entrepreneurial internship programs and more.

Science fairs is one area where homeschoolers shine. Coast to coast, homeschoolers hone their research and experimentation skills by designing projects for fair competition. Though many districts allow homeschool students to participate, some do not. Where no fairs exists, regional and statewide support groups can offer fairs of their own.

In my book, “The Homeschooler’s Guide to Science Fairs” (on Amazon HERE), I talk about the scientific process, project requirements, creating award-winning displays and more. The book also includes as whole section devoted to organizing a science fair in a region where one does not exist. Students learn so much more than just science at these competitions. I highly recommend this activity for all students.

NEXT LESSON

Further reading:

Science fairs for homeschoolers and more!

Graduation and other special high school events

Results of latest poll: What are homeschooled students really like?

Covering all the bases

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Dec 01 2012

Just ten reasons to homeschool your child

If there was ever a right time to homeschool your child, that time is now. No longer different, homeschooling has reached the mainstream. And if being popular wasn’t already enough, it even seems to be getting a little trendy, too.

Why is this phenomenon growing so rapidly?

More importantly, why should YOU think about it now — even if you’ve never thought of it before?

1. Millions of people are doing it. It isn’t different any more. You’ll fit in easily.

2. It’s easier than ever. Boatloads of products have come out since the early days. There is something for every kind of kid there is.

3. It doesn’t cost a lot. Loads of families do it on the cheap. Much cheaper than private school.

4. You can work around it. You read that right. Lots of homeschool families work in the home, and outside, too.

5. The results just keep coming. If you weren’t sure before, be sure now. It works, and everybody knows it.

6. It’s a big world out there. That world is easier to access than ever. Except from behind a student desk 6 or 8 hours a day.

7. Individuality is the new normal. Why blend in with the pack when you can stand out instead?

8. Diversity shmiversity. Why teach something when you can experience it first-hand?

9. Take a good look at the kids that surround your children all day long. These are the people your children will soon become.

10. Because you can. It’s free and it’s legal. With very few strings attached. For many, that is reason enough.

Admit it. How many times have you thought about it already? How many people do you know that are already on board?

Could this be the right time for you, too?

More lists of TEN you might like:

Ten Things to Do When Pulling Kids out of School

The Way Homeschoolers Do: Ten Habits of Successful Homeschoolers

Plus, here’s a list of FIFTY:

Fifty Places to Learn in Your Own Home Town

SHARING OPTIONS: [Image Source]

Sep 03 2012

Handling first-day jitters

Starting to homeschool can be a very exciting time. Just about everyone looks forward to using new school supplies and turning the first crisp pages of a brand-new book.

But those first days can sometimes be accompanied by a bad case of the jitters, too. Parents may worry if everything they’ve planned will work out right. Kids sometimes wonder what the year will be like — particularly if they’ve been withdrawn from school and have been used to a different kind of school experience.

The first way to cope is to understand that first-day jitters are perfectly normal. Hardly anyone enters a brand-new situation without some degree of apprehension or curiosity about the process. Realizing that many homeschoolers — including parents and kids -sometimes get nervous and excited at the start of a new year may help to underscore how common the feeling really is. Even families who have homeschooled for many years sometimes find themselves hoping the year will go off without any major glitches.

The next trick to dealing with jitters is pacing oneself. Starting off gradually — even if only part-time for a week or two – works wonders to allay any worries about homeschooling for the first time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying out a subject or two before all of the others are added to the daily rotation. Jitters are quickly squelched when family members realize they have plenty of time to ease into the new routine.

Finally, accepting everyone’s best effort is necessary to handling homeschool jitters. Starting off with the goal of perfection creates a very high-stakes situation that few families are able to live up to. Instead, begin the year understanding that everyone has good days and bad days, and the expectation that not every day will be picture-perfect. Recognize that homeschooling isn’t just about education — it’s also about living life – and that life’s twists and turns will sometimes get in the way.

How have you handled first day jitters?

Other posts like this:

Feeling overwhelmed? Try these rescue strategies!

What to expect the first few days

Homeschool: How do you know it’s working?

Photo: Flickr