Home School Friendly

1. Home School Friendly Developing A Home-School Friendly Admissions Office Presented by Angela J. Evans, Ed. D.

2. Understanding the Home School Movement Developing Recruitment & Networking Strategies that Work Implementing Alternative Evaluation Methods for Home-Educated Applicants Introduction

3. What is the philosophy behind the home schooling movement and why are parents eager to seek alternative methods of schooling? Understanding the Home School Movement

4. What is Home-schooling? Cited from the Home School Legal Defense Association

5. Concept of Home Education The concept of home education as an education movement is growing in unprecedented fashion throughout the United States and recent research studies indicate that more than 1.2 million school age children are currently being taught at home by a parent-teacher (Ray, 1998; Lines 1996).

6. Parents are selecting home based education for a variety of reasons, including: Fear of Violence in Schools Quality of Education Cost of Private or Alternative Education Flexibility in Home School Scheduling Religious Reasons Special Needs (Health, Learning Disabilities) Why Home Education?

7. What about Regulation? The increased levels of state regulations for home schooling have prompted many families to seek acceptable accreditation for students to avoid the hassles and negative stereotypes placed on home schooling students by local and state college administrators (Callaway, 2004).

8. What Does This Mean for Colleges? “Admissions officers know little about the performance of a home school graduate’s academic performance in college, but this fact doesn’t stop colleges and universities from developing admissions policies (accommodating or unaccommodating) for the home school Population.” (Jones & Gloeckner, 2004b, p. 17)

9. The Impact on Students and Admissions Students are faced with overwhelming requirements that command extensive documentation of their home based education including: • transcripts of academic performance and curriculum • standardized high school summation exams • SAT or ACT Scores • letters of recommendation • proof or compliance with state regulatory standards • and often a personal interview with an admissions officer It is vital that these admissions representatives be prepared to aid students in making the transition from home school to post-secondary education (Evans, 2001).

10. Developing Recruitment and Networking Strategies that work • Appointing a senior admissions officer to work specifically with home-educated students • Realizing the time saving benefits of developing a targeted home school website • Creating a comprehensive admissions forum for home-educated students and their families that includes a vendor fair, as well as sessions on completing the admissions process and applying for financial aid • Offering a guide for families that provides information on accreditation, curriculum, testing agencies and dual enrollment opportunities

11. A Home School Friendly Case Study Kennesaw State University • Georgia’s Third Largest University • Public Institution • 4 Year Liberal Arts • 20 Miles North of Downtown Atlanta • 19,000 students • 200 + Home Schoolers

12. KSU - A Home School Friendly Place • A Dozen Years of Experience With Home Educated Applicants • Specialized Counselors • Web Page / Other USG Institutions Are Linking to Our Site / over 14,000 Hits Since 1999 • Workshops for Admissions at Local, State, Regional and National Level Organizations • Regents Level Student Advisors – 2 in a Row • Portfolio Model…

13. A New Home for Home Schoolers Fall 2000 36 Enrolled Fall 2001 52 Enrolled Fall 2002 32 Enrolled Fall 2003 24 Enrolled Fall 2004 24 Enrolled Fall 2005 29 Enrolled These numbers do not reflect Spring or Summer Semester New Student Enrollment This enrollment represents home educated applicants from non-accredited programs.

14. Students & Parents Support Groups Accreditation Agencies Curriculum Providers Other College & Universities Alumni Relationships with…

15. A Look At What We Do… • Dedicated Counselor • Web Site • An Admissions Handbook • Workshop and vender fair

16. Admissions Counselor dedicated to working with home educated applicants since 1996 Back up Admissions Counselor since 2003 Secretarial Support to manage contact lists and prepares materials Involved in Community Home School Groups, ACIS Centers, National Home School Support Organizations Stays current on literature Follows Enrollment Trends nationally, in Georgia, at KSU Program Development Personal Research Dedicated Counselors

17. Web Site www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/home_educated.html

18. Web Site Features • Admissions Requirements • Admissions Handbook • Deadlines • Resources • Financial Aid Links • HOPE Reimbursement Request Form for Homeschoolers

19. Web Site Benefits • Provides students with access to requirements and forms 24/7 • Saves times – an information session/phone call can last an average of 40 minutes • Over 14,000 hits since 1999

20. An Admissions Handbook • A Checklist • An Information Page with Release • Home School College Preparatory Credit Evaluation Form • Affidavit of Successful Completion of Home Study Program

23. The Workshop & Vender Fair An Admissions Forum for Home Educated Applicants

24. Format • Workshop Registration • Video • Welcome & Introductions • Admissions Information • Financial Aid Overview • Vender Fair • Campus Tour

25. Vender Fair • Something New in 2005 • 27 Venders Participated • Over 100 in attendance • Door Prizes • Refreshments

26. Who Are The Venders? • KSU Student Services • Financial Aid / GSFC • ACIS Centers • Curriculum Providers • Commercial Venders

27. Why Have A Vender Fair? • Brings Students to Campus • Builds Relationships • Sponsorships • Free Food • Fun • Great Publicity

28. Implementing Alternative Evaluation Methods for Home-Educated Applicants Understanding the value of a portfolio review process that provides the admissions office with a uniform method to evaluate home schooled applicants while still providing them with an opportunity to showcase their individual merits

29. What are Portfolios? • A transcript of High School Courses (a mini-syllabus for each subject taken) • SAT or ACT and other standardized tests • Extra-Curricular Activities • Letters of Recommendation • Proof of Compliance with State Attendance Laws (Declaration of Intent to Home School) • Samples of Work (Essays or Projects) Portfolios can be anything… But you need to be specific or you will get everything!

30. What are the Benefits of Portfolios • A Portfolio Gives You The Opportunity To Get To Know An Applicant Before Or Without An Interview • It Gives The Student The Opportunity To Express The Abilities And Explain Their Educational Background • You Can Control What Information You Are Reviewing And Keep It Consistent

31. Accreditation for Home Education A Unique Organization Developed in Georgia to Accredit Home Based Education The Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, non-profit, non-government is established for the purpose of accrediting community centers for independent study. The accredited designation is for those centers established and functioning under standards of the commission.

32. What Are Others Doing? • Struggling to Understand! • Open House Events for Home Schoolers • Web Pages Dedicated to Explaining Home Educated Student Admissions • Recruitment Fairs • Advertising in Home School Magazines and Support Group Newsletters • Direct Mail (Buying Lists) • Participating in Local Support Group Meetings • Chat Sessions

33. Discussion

34. Contact Information Angela J. Evans, Ed.D. Assistant Director of Admissions Kennesaw State University 1000 Chastain Road, Box 0115 Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591 770-423-6500 aevans@kennesaw.edu www.kennesaw.edu

35. Thank You