A Neighbor's Questions about homeschooling

My neighbor stopped by the other day and told me she was having some problems with her child at school and has decided to homeshool. I was very surprised at this statement since she and her husband are constantly asking me questions about the subject and not really acting like they thought it was a great idea for my family. Anyway I proceeded to ask her about the way she wanted to home school. She really had no clue. We talked about purchasing a curriculum, going to the library and getting books, or just even taking a GED test and being done altogether.

We began to discuss the idea of purchasing a curriculum and letting the company keep transcripts. There are so many different places to purchase a great curriculum. I explained that there are many great sites to purchase a wonderful curriculum to name a few there is Seton Home School Study Program, ABeka, Bob Jones University, Kolbe Academy and Calvert. I said we needed to discuss what did her child wanted to do after school was over, for example; to begin college, attend a trade school for one year, or even just begin a job. My neighbor stated her daughter was unsure. I proceeded to tell her that I felt a school that offered you a choice of ways to graduate would be the best route to take. A regular diploma, summa cum laude, or magna cum laude choices would offer the best way to graduate. Any of these choices are easy to accomplish if the student is willing to co-operate.

Next we discussed the company keeping records of her grades as opposed to her mother keeping all the records. My neighbor felt that the company keeping records was definitely the way she wanted to proceed. You see she works full time and would rather not have to worry about all those issues. I agreed since that is exactly what I do with my children.
Her child also spoke to her about just testing out and then taking a GED test to complete high school without having to do complete any other work. I suggested since the child is only sixteen it would be best to complete high school. This I explained was only a suggestion and that she the mother had the final decision. I felt that the child would be better off in the long run with a high school diploma at such a young age then just having a GED. I am not saying that children who have obtained a GED did not go a long way in life with this type of diploma. I am just stating how I feel about this situation; each person has to make that personal choice for themselves.

I will be posting updates on the progress of this conversation and more to come as my neighbor makes her final decision about homeschooling her child.