HSLDA News	November 9, 2001

Georgia Regents Finally Level College Entrance Playing Field for Home Schoolers

Good news for home school graduates! As of October 12, 2001, graduates of home study programs will encounter more favorable admissions requirements to enter colleges and universities in the Peach State system.

As reported in a recent article, home schooled students have faced significant difficulties gaining admission to colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia. The state had been requiring one of five pathways: (1) a diploma from a regionally accredited home study program; (2) a diploma from a center of the Accrediting Counsel for Independent Study; (3) satisfactory scores on eight SAT II subject tests; (4) admission through the presidential exception; or (5) SAT I or ACT scores in the upper five percent of national college-bound seniors, along with other evidence of college readiness. The practical result of these options was that most home school graduates wishing to enter a school in the Georgia system were forced to undergo the eight SAT II subject exams.

The most recent change adopted by the Georgia Board of Regents relates to the minimum acceptable SAT I or ACT scores. It provides that students whose SAT I composite (verbal and math) score is at or above the average score of first-time freshman admitted to Georgia colleges in the prior calendar year (in contrast to the "upper five percent" requirement), and who have completed a college preparatory curriculum as validated by either a portfolio or a standardized achievement test score, are eligible for admission. However, any institution in the University System of Georgia may establish additional requirements.