What is home schooling?
Home schooling is a way of taking care of your child’s education without sending them to a public or private registered school.
What are the benefits of Home schooling?
1.A more flexible lifestyle
2.Positive socialization
3.Limited peer group pressure
4.Richer family experience
5.Individually designed curriculum.
6.learning at your own pace
7.Weaknesses can be worked on while strengths can be expanded.
8.pursuing your own interests and developing special talents.
9.Freedom to study the Word of God and enter into “religious” discussions.
10.Children are trained with the standards and values consistent with the family.
11.One-on-one teacher help is always available.
12.No child is left to “fall through the cracks” because they are not able to grasp a topic as quickly as another.
13.No time is wasted changing classrooms between every lesson.
How do Home schoolers rate academically?
In our opinion, very well! American research consistently shows that, against a national average of 50%, Home schooled children score on the average in the 80th percentile.
How is a learning centre different to Homeschool?
A learning centre is an establishment that helps small groups of students whose parents cannot personally Home school them but who want some of the benefits of homeschooling for their children. It is a little bigger and more structured than a single-family Homeschool but is not anything like a conventional school - either in size or structure. Children are helped by supervisors and monitors who are trained by The Christian Education Trust in Harare. In Zimbabwe the average learning centre has 20 - 30 students but there are some that are much bigger.
What about socialization in such a small group?
Socialization is one of the main reasons WHY parents choose home schools or learning centers for their children. It is often said that the conventional school system creates an “artificial environment of same-aged individuals” that does not occur in normal social systems. It is important for young people to learn to communicate with people of varying ages. It is equally important for them to learn to deal with conflicts and overcome differences. When a pool of 30 children is available to choose from, it is often easier for children to run away from their problems and join a new group of “friends” in the face of conflict.
A peek at any newspaper or TV broadcast reveals that many conventional schools are plagued with social problems such as physical abuse, drug abuse, bullying, violence, disrespect for authority and negative peer pressure.
It has often been said that children educated at the dining room table or in the “little cubicles” of a learning centre are remarkably well adjusted, confident, socially flexible and open-minded. They are also said to be tenacious and loyal in friendships.
Healthy socialization is possible for all home schooled children - both is and out of the “classroom”. A resourceful parent may, in fact, have so many activities planned for their children that they become worn out!
What about discipline?
A student who is home schooled is constantly and consistently disciplined by parents in accordance with their family values. Children in learning centres are similarly disciplined. Uniforms are worn and children are expected to adhere to a set of rules of conduct that encourage good Christian character. Unacceptable behavior is dealt with swiftly and with little or no disruption to the rest of the students. Parents are called in to assist if behavioral problems are severe enough to require it. A well-laid out system of merits, de-merits, detentions and privileges is in place in most learning centres.
How does the A.C.E qualification compare to the standard GCSE qualification?
There is NO absolute comparison between the A.C.E qualifications and other secular qualifications. Around the world different qualifications are slotted into National Qualification Frameworks (NQF). Frameworks differ from country to country. Foundation Certificate (new qualification). This is designed for students who cannot quite make a General level Certificate. It covers the 5 core subjects plus one unit of Bible studies and one Option unit. This certificate may be similar to five D-G grade “O” levels, although that is not yet an established fact. It is designed for lower attaining students who do not wish to attend University or College. General level A.C.E (Formerly Level 1) This is approximately equivalent to nine A-C grade “O” levels. It is classified as a level 4 leaving certificate on the NQF1 and a level 2 on the NQF 2 frameworks for Ireland. It is a Level 2 qualification on the NQF framework for England & Wales. It is a Level 2 qualification on the NQF framework for Scotland. Because none of these frameworks accept “O” Level as a university entrance qualification, it follows that an A.C.E student should not expect to get into university on an A.C.E General level Certificate either! The A.C.E. General Level is merely a stepping stone to the A.C.E. Intermediate Level - just as much as the “O” level qualification is a pre-requisite for “A” Levels. Intermediate Certificate (Formerly Level 2) This is approximately equivalent (I.e. has the same rating on the International frameworks) as does “AS level”. It has been accepted for admission into Nursing and Midwifery in Britain, the army, and various other pre-registration courses. Some Colleges and Universities in America also accept the Intermediate Certificate as an entry qualification provided the student’s average Pace Percentage is high. (94% and above). A.C.E Advanced Certificate ( Formerly Level 3) This is placed on the framework in the same position as the secular”A2 Level” and the IB. A child completing the advanced certificate (with no extra credits) will be awarded the equivalent of three “A levels”. It is accepted as a university entrance qualification by most universities.
Do all universities accept the A.C.E qualification?
Probably not all - but certainly most! Some Universities require home schooled students to write an “Access Course”, others accept The A.C.E qualifications without any reservation and some even favor the qualification! It is best to enquire of the University or College of you choice and find out from them as the entry requirements may differ from institution to institution.
What about sport?
Sport is a very important part of education and should not be overlooked. There are many excellent coaches available in Zimbabwe for individual sports and most home schooled students play at least one. Some centres organize group training sessions and/or inter-school games for their students. Other students may join the sports section of the Harare International school or the Celebration Centre for a nominal fee. These two institutions welcome home schooled children and offer the opportunity to participate in team sports as well as individual ones.
How do I get the A.C.E Curriculum?
The PACES (individual curriculum) are supplied in Zimbabwe by the Christian Education Trust. The books are available in local currency and may be collected within a few days of placing an order. Courses not designed by A.C.E but accepted as credits for graduation, such as the Rosetta stone language courses, have to be sourced by the individual student or by the learning centre.
Home schooling is a way of taking care of your child’s education without sending them to a public or private registered school.
What are the benefits of Home schooling?
1.A more flexible lifestyle
2.Positive socialization
3.Limited peer group pressure
4.Richer family experience
5.Individually designed curriculum.
6.learning at your own pace
7.Weaknesses can be worked on while strengths can be expanded.
8.pursuing your own interests and developing special talents.
9.Freedom to study the Word of God and enter into “religious” discussions.
10.Children are trained with the standards and values consistent with the family.
11.One-on-one teacher help is always available.
12.No child is left to “fall through the cracks” because they are not able to grasp a topic as quickly as another.
13.No time is wasted changing classrooms between every lesson.
How do Home schoolers rate academically?
In our opinion, very well! American research consistently shows that, against a national average of 50%, Home schooled children score on the average in the 80th percentile.
How is a learning centre different to Homeschool?
A learning centre is an establishment that helps small groups of students whose parents cannot personally Home school them but who want some of the benefits of homeschooling for their children. It is a little bigger and more structured than a single-family Homeschool but is not anything like a conventional school - either in size or structure. Children are helped by supervisors and monitors who are trained by The Christian Education Trust in Harare. In Zimbabwe the average learning centre has 20 - 30 students but there are some that are much bigger.
What about socialization in such a small group?
Socialization is one of the main reasons WHY parents choose home schools or learning centers for their children. It is often said that the conventional school system creates an “artificial environment of same-aged individuals” that does not occur in normal social systems. It is important for young people to learn to communicate with people of varying ages. It is equally important for them to learn to deal with conflicts and overcome differences. When a pool of 30 children is available to choose from, it is often easier for children to run away from their problems and join a new group of “friends” in the face of conflict.
A peek at any newspaper or TV broadcast reveals that many conventional schools are plagued with social problems such as physical abuse, drug abuse, bullying, violence, disrespect for authority and negative peer pressure.
It has often been said that children educated at the dining room table or in the “little cubicles” of a learning centre are remarkably well adjusted, confident, socially flexible and open-minded. They are also said to be tenacious and loyal in friendships.
Healthy socialization is possible for all home schooled children - both is and out of the “classroom”. A resourceful parent may, in fact, have so many activities planned for their children that they become worn out!
What about discipline?
A student who is home schooled is constantly and consistently disciplined by parents in accordance with their family values. Children in learning centres are similarly disciplined. Uniforms are worn and children are expected to adhere to a set of rules of conduct that encourage good Christian character. Unacceptable behavior is dealt with swiftly and with little or no disruption to the rest of the students. Parents are called in to assist if behavioral problems are severe enough to require it. A well-laid out system of merits, de-merits, detentions and privileges is in place in most learning centres.
How does the A.C.E qualification compare to the standard GCSE qualification?
There is NO absolute comparison between the A.C.E qualifications and other secular qualifications. Around the world different qualifications are slotted into National Qualification Frameworks (NQF). Frameworks differ from country to country. Foundation Certificate (new qualification). This is designed for students who cannot quite make a General level Certificate. It covers the 5 core subjects plus one unit of Bible studies and one Option unit. This certificate may be similar to five D-G grade “O” levels, although that is not yet an established fact. It is designed for lower attaining students who do not wish to attend University or College. General level A.C.E (Formerly Level 1) This is approximately equivalent to nine A-C grade “O” levels. It is classified as a level 4 leaving certificate on the NQF1 and a level 2 on the NQF 2 frameworks for Ireland. It is a Level 2 qualification on the NQF framework for England & Wales. It is a Level 2 qualification on the NQF framework for Scotland. Because none of these frameworks accept “O” Level as a university entrance qualification, it follows that an A.C.E student should not expect to get into university on an A.C.E General level Certificate either! The A.C.E. General Level is merely a stepping stone to the A.C.E. Intermediate Level - just as much as the “O” level qualification is a pre-requisite for “A” Levels. Intermediate Certificate (Formerly Level 2) This is approximately equivalent (I.e. has the same rating on the International frameworks) as does “AS level”. It has been accepted for admission into Nursing and Midwifery in Britain, the army, and various other pre-registration courses. Some Colleges and Universities in America also accept the Intermediate Certificate as an entry qualification provided the student’s average Pace Percentage is high. (94% and above). A.C.E Advanced Certificate ( Formerly Level 3) This is placed on the framework in the same position as the secular”A2 Level” and the IB. A child completing the advanced certificate (with no extra credits) will be awarded the equivalent of three “A levels”. It is accepted as a university entrance qualification by most universities.
Do all universities accept the A.C.E qualification?
Probably not all - but certainly most! Some Universities require home schooled students to write an “Access Course”, others accept The A.C.E qualifications without any reservation and some even favor the qualification! It is best to enquire of the University or College of you choice and find out from them as the entry requirements may differ from institution to institution.
What about sport?
Sport is a very important part of education and should not be overlooked. There are many excellent coaches available in Zimbabwe for individual sports and most home schooled students play at least one. Some centres organize group training sessions and/or inter-school games for their students. Other students may join the sports section of the Harare International school or the Celebration Centre for a nominal fee. These two institutions welcome home schooled children and offer the opportunity to participate in team sports as well as individual ones.
How do I get the A.C.E Curriculum?
The PACES (individual curriculum) are supplied in Zimbabwe by the Christian Education Trust. The books are available in local currency and may be collected within a few days of placing an order. Courses not designed by A.C.E but accepted as credits for graduation, such as the Rosetta stone language courses, have to be sourced by the individual student or by the learning centre.
more topics: