This past winter I introduced you to Ken Sande’s new ministry entitled Relational Wisdom. I’ve enjoyed receiving Ken’s weekly emails in which he highlights a clip from a movie and then provides discussion questions. These clips and questions are wonderful to use as a spring board for discussion with your teens that won’t come across as “preachy” but will instead provide the spark necessary to initiate meaningful conversation.

I think there should be more said about the Congressional program to home schoolers because most of them are already doing what they need to earn it and I think that award had a lot to do with the fact that both of our kids got full, total, complete scholarships through their doctorates. Our two were the only two kids in Minnesota that year to earn it yet I know almost every one who is home schooled could.

I receive questions from homeschool parents relating to when a course may be designated as AP or Advanced Placement on the transcript.  The answer may surprise some of you!

According to the College Board website, in order for a course to be designated “AP” or “Advanced Placement” on the high school transcript, the course must be reviewed by the AP Audit Department of the College Board. A course bearing an AP designation signifies that the College Board has determined the course meets its standards for this level of course. 

We were all designed for relationship—not only relationship with our Heavenly Father, but also with one another—we need one another, so we can't go it alone. But did you know that people with disabilities are the largest population group missing from the body of Christ? Today I would urge families who are homeschooling children with special needs to consider participating in a local, homeschool co-op which can be a good place to find assistance and encouragement! I would also like to encourage families who are serving and participating in co-ops to be welcoming and inclusive of those with disabilities. The Lord Jesus was always reaching out to the blind, lame, deaf, and sick, showing love and compassion. And, we who are Christ's followers are called to do the same. 

What is your teen’s passion? Recently in conversation with a young lady, I learned that she has the desire to write stories about little known people groups in the world. She wants to bring to light their way of life and need for the Gospel. She is currently raising support to join a mission organization to work with a team to tell the stories of people groups in Southeast Asia.

If your teen is college bound, you may be planning to have him take the SAT college entrance test administered by the College Board.  Prepping for the test is important to give every advantage for scoring well.  Besides using SAT scores for admissions purposes, colleges may also use the scores for placement purposes when deciding for which level of college courses your teen may register. In addition, SAT scores are sometimes used by scholarship sponsors to award scholarships.

One of the things I enjoy as I fly to various homeschool conferences is the view from my airplane seat.  Talk about getting the big picture!  Many things are actually clearer from a view thousand miles above the ground, and I appreciate seeing how various locations “fit together” from my view high in the sky.  The 4-year high school planning form is a tool you can use to provide you with a bird’s eye view of the high school years.