Comments on: “Ask a [Smrt] Homeschooler” About Pacing

By: Smrt Mama

Smrt Mama — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:37:29 +0000

I do think you have to be careful to not automatically equate age with maturity or social intelligence. I wasn’t really emotionally ready to go off to college at 18. Whether Captain Science graduates at 14 or 19, I don’t think his level of social intelligence (ie. not being socially awkward) is ever going to be particularly high, so I have to base it on his subject readiness. There will come a time where I am not equipped to teach subjects on the level he needs, and at that point, a college setting will probably be the only place equipped to teach him. If his level of emotional maturity isn’t there yet, we’ll treat it like public schools treat joint enrollment.

With joint enrollment being so common around here, as we’re within two miles or so of the university where I got my degrees, there’s not that disjointedness of having a younger student stuck in a college class — in the core classes, there will likely be several jointly-enrolled kids. I probably felt more out of place, going back to school at 23 with a kid and a divorce under my belt, than Captain Science would feel taking college classes at 16.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:31:09 +0000

I agree with Daisy. In public and private schools, multiple levels in most subjects effectively guarantee that one kid’s sophomore year curriculum is ahead of another’s senior year program of study. Does that mean the sophomore should be applying to colleges just because her level of achievement is on par with kids who ARE applying to college? I don’t think so.

I think education, and that includes a college education, is so much more than what goes on in the classroom or is outlined by the curriculum, even the best curriculum out there. I currently have a junior in my AP calculus class, and he has one of the highest averages in the class. He could graduate this year, and has already achieved more academically than most of the seniors ever will. But he has chosen to stay another year and graduate with his class. In the long run, it probably won’t make any difference in his ultimate accomplishments. AND it’s what he wants to do and what will make him happiest.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:35:52 +0000

I think that whole graduate early thing is easier for homeschoolers who choose graded curriculum. If one is using 100% Abeka & schools year round, yes, the child will likely graduate early. How educated they will be is debatable, but they will have completed the prescribed course of study.

We use very few graded materials, so the pacing is more subjective. One has to actually determine their child’s readiness before heading into the next level of work, especially once you hit High School & higher level reasoning. Some children are very obviously ready & it would be horrible to hold them back. Other children, not so much.

Ultimately, I want my children to savor their education. Maybe that is because I graduated at 15yo & was social reject of the Senior class. I saw school as something to get done with so I could go back to learning on my own time. I’m not holding my children back, but I do view education more as a cross-country marathon than a sprint to the finish line.