How can my son get public high school credit for what he's learned in home school? (Maine)?

Question

My son was in a private school for most ot 9th grade. That didn't work out, so we had him finish up in home school what he had started at the private school. We did everything according to the state regulations. He's now in public school. the guidance councelor at his school says that the superintendent of the district where we lived when we requested permission to home school ... will have to decide the credits. I don't think that,s the way it's done. In Maine, we are no longer required to ask permission; we merely send a "letter of intent" to home school to the state dept. of education and to the superintendent in our district. My son is not enrolled in school in the same district where we were living at the beginning of the 2006 - 2007 school year. The schools are closed now so I can't call them. We have been getting the run around for months. My poor son is getting sick of being designated as being in 9th grade. What is your experience?

Answer 1

I believe in education for all people, and this includes the students who are new to America and cannot speak English.  It amazes me that the 16 year old who cannot speak English can be designated a Sophomore, but a 16 year old who has been homeschooled is designated a Freshman without any credit for previous classes.  I would ask some questions.

Answer 2

well really all you haVE to do is if he is regestered through your district school board and request a deploma for completion of high school all he really has to do is pass the final evaluation from a cretified teacher crdits really doesnt matter

Answer 3

I hail from Colorado so obviously a bit different for requirements but a few questions to get you going:

1) Did you keep records of what texts he used? time spent? kept any tests or original work?  These can help you greatly.

2) Can you request school records from the private school?  Most public schools are friendlier with private schools than homeschoolers on their own.  its sad but a fact of life.

3) You can suggest an entrance test to be given to your son so that he can "prove" he has gotten and learned the material.  This is totally up to your discretion and your son's confidence level.  It's one way you can be on the offensive instead of the defensive where the public school is bullying you.

4) Your state homeschool organization can be a great source of help and advice.  Not only them but HSLDA can provide information and resources about this.

5) Colorado offers h-schoolers an opportunity to take partial classes in order to participate in sports on a higher level.  If h-school is working, why do you want to get back into the public school?  Also umbrella schools are another avenue that can keep good and official records so that you can use these for entrance into college, etc.  Your state group can provide info about that if that is a legal option for you.

Well, just a few thoughts.

Answer 4

We have no experience with this at all since we home school through the high school years, and then let them start college classes.

To my knowledge, although I could be wrong, no public school is required to accept any work done through a home school program.

They do not have to accept private school credits either although they often do so.

They can set their own rules, and requirements.

I only know of a few home schoolers who decided to attend public school starting in the 9Th grade, so they started at the beginning.

What they can do is give him a placement test to see where he should be placed.

Of course these rules differ from state to state, and Maine may be different in that as well.

They may take it on a case by case, and leave the final decision up to the superintendent, I really do not know.

If you are members of the Home school Legal Defense I would contact them for assistance, or advice on this issue.

http://www.hslda.org/

My suggestion would be that you finish home schooling him for another year or two, and if he completes the program let him graduate home school, and give him a diploma.

If that is not an option look into letting him take the GED next year, and let him start college classes, why waste time fighting with a high school?

Both forms of diplomas are just as valid as a traditional high school diploma.

Answer 5

I would contact the deparment of education for Maine and have them clarify what state policy is on the matter. It may be completely up to the school district. Then I would contact the superintendent of the school district you sent the letter of intent to as well as the superintendent of the district you are now in. Do all the footwork yourself instead of waiting on them to get themselves together.

Unfortunately, tt's not uncommon at all for homeschooled students to NOT have their work recognized by public schools. Some public schools won't even recognize the credits obtained from certain private schools. They aren't legally required to and there's no guarantee that what the student studied matched up with what the public school would have taught him.

Answer 6

Schools are always making things difficult of the students in so many ways. But what you should do is this. When classes resume again go to the school district or call. Tell them your problem if they say they cant help you in any way or they cant give your child there credits then go to the state governor. Or the main office of the school district of the state. They should have an answer for you there. Its the best answer i can give you.

Good Luck