Would such a high school age student be considered a homeschooled student or college student?

Question

We are looking into a full time college program for our high school aged homeschooler for his Jr. and Sr. year. He is currently a rising Sophomore. The program is part on-campus and part online and leads to an associates degree.

This is not really a dual enrollment program although we could probably structure it as such.

Would such a student be considered a homeschooled student and therefore subject to the same laws as any homeschooler or would such a student be considered a college student and therefore not subject to the same laws?

Answer 1

It depends on how you want to structure it and how many credits he'll have under his belt at the end of sophomore year.

If he has enough credits to graduate next spring/summer, he can - and would be considered a college student.  There's no hard and fast rule that says that high school has to be stretched over 4 years...it's just how things are done, traditionally.  If he has enough credits for you to award his diploma, and it would logistically make things work better, you can do that.  He would be a high school grad on his way to college.

If he won't have enough credits and/or you feel that his maturity is not such that you feel comfortable awarding that diploma, I would say to treat it as dual enrollment.  His college credits would double as high school credits, and he would still be considered a high school student, subject to the laws of your state.

I'm glad you brought this up...it got me thinking.  We'll be there in a few years, as well!  Oy... :)

Answer 2

There are many colleges that offer PSEO programs for high school students toearn college credits while in HS and they are all different as far as the requirements. Some simply will insist you test before it.

Answer 3

I would think that unless he has completed his high school education by obtaining either a GED or a diploma then he is still considered a homeschooled student and you are required to continue the requirements necessary for homeschooling.  

Since students who are attending high school and college at the same time are still subject to completing the required classes/subjects at their high schools, I don't see why a home schooled child would not be responsible for the same things.  Until the diploma or GED is obtained, the high school subjects/requirements apply.

Answer 4

Oklagirl is right. We've looked into this, OU has a dual enrollment program, but the children are still considered homeschool students until they complete their requirements for graduation. Like your program, OU's high school program also counts towards college credit, so at the end of two years, you have your high school transcript as well as half of your college credits.

Law would still consider them homeschoolers.