How to Get Accredited for Bilingual homeschooling | HomeSchoolToGo

 

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the process by which an educational program is evaluated to see if it meets certain standards. Before conferring an accreditation certificate, accrediting bodies, which can be private or non-profit (but are usually the former), examine factors such as curricular content, content delivery, and instructor credentials, if applicable.


The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement are three well-known homeschool accreditation bodies (NCA). There are, however, dozens more, some of which are also reputable and some of which are less well-known.


What to Look for


If you intend to homeschool your child entirely on your own, without any outside assistance, accreditation research may not even be on your to-do list. However, for parents considering enrolling their homeschooled children in distance learning or in-person programs, whether part-time or full-time, accreditation is something to consider.


Homeschooling Laws 


Before delving deeper into the subject, it's important to note that using an Accredited Bilingual Homeschooling Program is not required anywhere in the United States. Of course, each state has its own homeschooling laws, but accreditation is a separate and private matter.


Quality Instruction


Despite its optional nature, there are a few reasons why parents might seek out an accredited homeschool program in the first place. Most importantly, accreditation guarantees a certain level of quality instruction, so it can act as a filtering mechanism, assisting you in weeding out other, potentially inferior programs or even scams.


Homeschooling Curriculum


If you're new to bilingual homeschooling and have no prior teaching experience, it might be a good idea to start with an accredited program that covers the most important material—at least in the beginning while you get used to the change. According to Rebecca Devitt of How Do I Homeschool?, "The biggest advantage of bilingual homeschooling accreditation appears to be its ability to offer parents peace of mind." You won't have to worry about your own curriculum having holes or other flaws if you choose an accredited program.


Plan Ahead


Accreditation also facilitates credit transfer in cases where students return to public school. Even if your family intends to homeschool indefinitely, unforeseen circumstances such as student dissatisfaction, parental illness, or work schedule changes may necessitate a return to public school. As a result, it may be preferable to keep that door open by ensuring a more seamless transition with an accredited program.


Better Chances of Employment


Finally, students who complete an accredited homeschool program may have a better chance of finding work, as well as admission to college and the military. "Attending a well-known and accredited online or remote school, paired with enrollment in the highest level of coursework offered by the said school (e.g. AP or IB classes), can propel a student's application to the top of the pile," according to the Ivy Scholars staff. No matter how you slice it, a bilingual homeschooling program with official credentials will always make a better impression on application reviewers. On the other hand, it is critical to acknowledge that thousands of homeschoolers are accepted into top colleges each year despite not having studied accredited curricula. Aside from accreditation, admissions counsellors consider a variety of other factors.


Education Admissions Requirements 


While homeschool accreditation is not required for admissions to the majority of American colleges, there are some exceptions. If your child is considering a specific college, inquire directly with the institution about such policies, especially if the institution is known for being competitive or stringent. Also, keep in mind that admissions policies for higher education are constantly changing. For example, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of colleges have gone test-optional, and the relaxation of ACT and SAT score requirements may be followed by stricter changes in other areas.


  1. Things to Consider


If you decide to enroll in an accredited homeschool program, there are a few things to keep in mind during your search. To begin with, such programs may be more expensive due to the increased prestige and demand frequently associated with them. Furthermore, some accreditation bodies can only be called upon to accredit student transcripts. However, according to the Homeschool Mom, this can be an expensive and unnecessary process. "On average, a Bilingual homeschooler would pay $2000-$5000 simply for a piece of paper that says "accredited," she advises, noting that "bilingual homeschool parents can proudly name their transcript "Official" just as unaccredited public schools do."

  1. Not all Accredited Programs are Equal


The second consideration is that not all accredited programs are created equal. Because accrediting bodies are mostly private, unregulated organisations, their rules and standards vary greatly. As a result, having one's accreditation may carry more weight than having another's seal of approval. Be aware that accreditation is not a one-time event; rather, programs must be reviewed on a regular basis—for example, annually—to maintain their accreditation status. So, when researching a program's accreditation status, one thing to look for is whether it's fairly recent.


  1. Accreditation Authenticity


The third and perhaps most important point to remember is that simply using the word "accredited" on a program's website or elsewhere does not guarantee its official accreditation. "Any school can claim to be accredited; the use of that word is not regulated in any way," says the HomeSchoolToGo staff. You must therefore conduct additional research to determine whether the program of interest has been officially accredited, by which organisation, and how recently.


Conclusion:


To begin your accreditation research, use the non-profit Distance Education Accreditation Administration's search tool. Investigating through a neutral third party will often yield more useful and unbiased information than using search tools designed by accreditors, which may be designed with self-interest in mind.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How Do Custom Smell Proof Bags Work? | BrandMyDispo

Teaching Your Homeschooled Child Goal-Setting Techniques | HomeSchoolToGo

The Benefits of Homeschooling | HomeSchoolToGo