Does Homeschool High School Terrify You?

Posted by Lori | 0 comments

Lee Binz has become a mentor and a friend to me. I can’t say enough about the advice she has given to me and to have an opportunity to share with you my review of her new book, Setting the Records Straight, thrills me! Lee’s website, The HomeScholar is a treasure trove of resources for any homeschooler and I highly recommend that you visit it IF you have a highschooler or the thought of homeschooling through highschool terrifies you, as it did me.

Lee’s new book, Setting the Records Straight is set to debut in February! I was thrilled to review it early! Be on the lookout for it  on Lee’s site, The HomeScholar as well as Amazon.com.

Setting the Records Straight

6 years ago when our family made the decision to home school, high school was tucked in the back of my mind. It seems that one day I woke up to find that I had a highschooler! Home school through high school? Then at just the right moment Lee Binz came into our life! Among the first words of her book, Setting the Records Straight, she reminded us, “You will be successful. Do not be afraid. Take it one step at a time.”

Lee’s practical approach and her own success in homeschooling high school students into the colleges of their choice (with scholarships!) is encouraging and reassuring.  In Setting the Records Straight she outlines the fundamentals for successful transcripts and home school course classes and descriptions to help guide the college bound student to the college of their choice. The chapters include answers to many of the questions that home school families ask, the very questions I myself was asking.

Why make a home school transcript?

What should it look like?

How can we determine and calculate high school credit?

How should grades be assigned?

For each question, Lee has a thorough and detailed answer. She speaks from experience and from speaking to college admission offices all over the country.  In Setting the Records Straight, Lee offers samples of academic records by year, subject and in the case of Dual Enrollment. These transcript samples are invaluable!

In the final section of the book, Lee tackles the subject of course descriptions. As homeschoolers the world of course descriptions can be an overwhelming one. She clearly outlines the three steps in compiling course descriptions into language that makes sense. Tackling the core subjects as well as electives and even outlining courses without records, are helpful in making  this section of the book worth its weight in gold.

This is not just a book for home school families educating through high school, this is truly a resource. There are extensive appendixes that detail course descriptions so that a home school parent has a reliable guide with which to work from.

This book was the most VALUABLE tool I’ve seen on the nuts and bolts of transcripts and course descriptions! EVERY question that came to mind was answered in such thorough detail. It’s given me the confidence to move into the high school years unafraid. This is certainly a book that I will refer to often. This book is a practical resource for the home school community and one that will alleviate fear in many a home school parent.

I encourage you to head over to Lee’s site, The HomeScholar for up to date information on her new book as well as all a host of other invaluable resources.

Lori is a 6th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools a 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions.