Autonomous home ed - am I doing this right?

[Lookslikerain]

Background is that DS is 5 and a half, dx with autism at 3, and technically should just have started school (Scotland). He attended an amazing mainstream nursery for 2 years, but school is just the wrong thing for him.

His attention can be awful, especially if he isn't particularly interested. From what I've read, a child-led, autonomous approach is definitely the best fit for him. I'm just concerned that I'm not doing it right, or missing something. I guess the problem is that we're just continuing to do what we've always done day-to-day. He tends to stagnate if we stay in the house too much, so we've always been a busy family both during the week and at weekends (also have DD and baby DS). We do lots of museum visits, parks, library, baking/cooking, playing, meeting friends anyway, and he's always really enjoyed that stuff. And we do all the other stuff like going to the shops, post office, running errands etc. We have also met some other home-edders too, though he was pretty uninterested.

At the moment, he's into bugs and was trying to build a bug house in the garden using an empty box today so tomorrow we're going to the library to look for some books on bugs, and we might try and build a proper, big bug house so we can attract lots of them for watching. But this is something I'd have done anyway, just because he was interested, not something I'm doing because we home ed.

Am I getting this right? I almost feel like it should be more difficult and less fun!

[ImperialBlether]

I can back Charis up here - her experience matches my 20 years of teaching A levels in a sixth form college in a part of the country where there is generally low educational achievement up to 16.

And I was fed up of children being told that BTECs counted as four subjects, as two subjects, whatever, when they didn't. Those children were definitely shortchanged. We would have students queuing up to enrol that would say they had 17 GCSEs - that would be 4 BTEC Passes - say, Sport, Dance, Art and IT and one GCSE in English. They would be furious that they would have to re-do a GCSE year in order to get four more GCSEs.

[NormanLamont]

You can use igcses, they are considered easier but most places count them.

Seriously Charis? The 100% exam option (that private schools like to boast about offering) is considered easier? That's the first time I heard that.

You're right, of course, Bertrand that it is far too hit and miss. Being in a big city helps because it gives you a choice of institutions.

[Charis1]

Some colleges are now offering one year programmes comprising 5 GCSEs

we offer this too, and some HEers take it, but again, we have parents assuming their DC can walk straight in to this, without any understanding that they will need to be a particular level to be accepted. There are a lot of disappointments.

We often end up with HEers on level 1 courses at age 17. ( two years below GCSE) for some this is appropriate, for some this is a crime, that they have reached that age without developing the capability of studying at a higher level.

[NormanLamont]

We often end up with HEers on level 1 courses at age 17. ( two years below GCSE) for some this is appropriate, for some this is a crime, that they have reached that age without developing the capability of studying at a higher level

But your evidence that they aren't capable is just the absence of the 5 GCSEs in one sitting? Or is there a more holistic assessment?

[ImperialBlether]

Our college had a one year programme where students could study four GCSEs. They had to have a grade D in any subject they were resitting.

The problem is any of us, with or without qualifications, can educate our children at home. In a secondary school most teachers teach one subject that they have a degree in. At home you'd have to teach all of the subjects or find someone who could. As I've been in education all my working life I know a lot of teachers but I still wouldn't be able to get my child an education in every GCSE subject.

[NormanLamont]

In a secondary school most teachers teach one subject that they have a degree in. At home you'd have to teach all of the subjects or find someone who could

Obviously.

That's the struggle.

[GarlicDoughballsInGlitter]

[Charis1]

Or is there a more holistic assessment? what do you mean by holisitc? Predictions are based on the statistical analysis of countless thousands of teens, their GCSE grades, and achievements later.

if by " holistic" you mean extenuating circumstances, then yes, we can consider extenuating circumstances, but being HE isn't an extenuating circumstance!

We have a small number of "guests" - which are students we can get no funding for, and taking a student who isn't qualified onto a course would most likely not get funded.

we can take at most 3 or 4 Guests, and these places are likely to be reserved for students with genuine extenuating circumstances for example a girl in my TG had to resit a year after having missed months for chemotherapy, and she was given a guest place. Another lad was sectioned during the year, and got a guest place the following year, and one was involved in a long court case. He was found innocent in the end and given a guest place too.

[Charis1]

They had to have a grade D in any subject they were resitting. same with us, and all the schools here. You need a D in the GCSE to be able to retake the GCSE post 16.

[Charis1]

Seriously Charis? The 100% exam option (that private schools like to boast about offering) is considered easier? That's the first time I heard that.

well, yes, although it is comparible, it isn't a lot cheaper. It is called the IGCSE, ( internationl GCSE )because it can be done aboard entirely by post/ internet.

The main advantage of offering this is is it a LOT cheaper to run.

[Charis1]

• sorry, meant it say it isn't a lot easier. It is a lot cheaper.

[NormanLamont]

well, yes, although it is comparible, it isn't a lot cheaper. It is called the IGCSE, ( internationl GCSE )because it can be done aboard entirely by post/ internet.

We weren't discussing cost, we were discussing rigour.

if by " holistic" you mean extenuating circumstances, then yes, we can consider extenuating circumstances, but being HE isn't an extenuating circumstance!

Not at all. I mean a 360 degree look at all available evidence of attainment and potential, in whatever form that might be.

[GarlicDoughballsInGlitter]

Also, where are the children with aspergers meant to go?? Clearly school isn't working for them and special schools don't cater for their academic abilities!

Also, what about non traditionL routes to qualifications? Online universities? Why does Britain have this hang up
About one building being better than another just because it previously wasn't used for a 'lower' (read: supposedly 'common' ) polytechnic?

It is ridiculous! If my child gains a qualification/degree/diploma then I will be insanely proud of them no matter what building (or not) they were sat in!

[Charis1]

Not at all. I mean a 360 degree look at all available evidence of attainment and potential, in whatever form that might be. which is basically what level 2 qualifications are designed to be, ( GCSEs/level 2 Btecs)

We weren't discussing cost, we were discussing rigour. you raised the fact that so many private schools use them, private schools are profit driven organisations, the use them because they are cheaper.

but like I said, they are comparable. We count IGCSEs,not everyone does. although I have heard the government is going to stop counting them in school statistics, etc. don't know if that is true.

[NormanLamont]

Predictions are based on the statistical analysis of countless thousands of teens, their GCSE grades, and achievements later.

You do understand, don't you Charis that an algorithm to predict future attainment, based on a data set of the GCSE results of schooled children, will lack validity when attempting to use it on HE students?

So what you are talking about is the bureaucratic procedure of your institution. And what I am describing is the more imaginative (and I would aver, more accurate) approach taken by other institutions to HEed teens.

I do hope someone is tracking the progress of the HE teens admitted under the flexible arrangements. It would be good to see how they achieve.

[Charis1]

a lot of HE kids are not in a position to develop or demonstrate their potential, because homes are not set up to do practicals, etc and parents not qualified to do course work, etc.

[Charis1]

sorry, posted too soon! so HE kids can be excluded from that whole area of education, and be entirely dependant on written exams to show their abilities and potential. Fine, if they are exam orientated individuals.

[GarlicDoughballsInGlitter]

And that qualification will get them a job in an area they love, due to it being led by their interest not by some box ticking exercise. My child will not be one of the 80% unemployed autistics because I, like most HE'ers of ASD children want more for them than a school does, purely because we know our child's strengths and weaknesses and can nature their interests and introduce things at their own speed. If that takes until they are 25 rather than eighteen I will still know I have done the best for my child than shoving them in a school that refuses to cater for them and their needs which also traumatised them I. The process!

[Reekypear]

Utter crap being talked here,

I know masses of he kids who have taken gcse early and have been accepted into college for a levels no issue.

I know kids who have got onto level 3 courses with zero, zero gcses.

[NormanLamont]

a lot of HE kids are not in a position to develop or demonstrate their potential,

I don't think you've met too many HEers.

because homes are not set up to do practicals, etc and parents not qualified to do course work, etc.

Hence the IGCSEs. Which you originally claimed were easier than GCSEs. Then you backtracked.

But there are many ways to build a portfolio of achievement.

[Charis1]

You do understand, don't you Charis that an algorithm to predict future attainment, based on a data set of the GCSE results of schooled children, will lack validity when attempting to use it on HE students?

no, this is exactly the point, it doesn't,thousands of thousands of HE children are included in the analysis.

So what you are talking about is the bureaucratic procedure of your institution. And what I am describing is the more imaginative (and I would aver, more accurate) approach taken by other institutions to HEed teens.

not at all, I am talking about which qualifications are available to which students in this country.

I do hope someone is tracking the progress of the HE teens admitted under the flexible arrangements. It would be good to see how they achieve

yes of course they are tracked, constantly, as with every other single type of group and catagory of student imaginable ( children of soldiers, gay children etc etc)

And it is on THAT basis that these decisions are made.

If a student who applies for a course is capable we want them on the course. If they are not capable, obviously we don't want them on the course.

The consequences of accepting a child onto a course they cannot cope with are terrible, both for the student, the class, the staff and the institution,

That is why so many of these students are turned down.

Why do you think the are turned down?

that is why

[BertrandRussell]

"If that takes until they are 25 rather than eighteen I will still know I have done the best for my child than shoving them in a school that refuses to cater for them and their needs which also traumatised them I. The process!"

Of course. It's just hugely easier to do some things at the conventional time if possible. Sometimes, obviously, it isn't. But if it is, then do it. Because you want to have as many doors open for you as possible.

[Charis1]

I don't think you've met too many HEers. I've met hundreds.

I haven't back tracked, Igces are easier, but there is not a lot in it, some people do't count them, so people do

[Reekypear]

My DS was told and I quote ' this college highly values HE students, they are some of our best students as they are more self led and socially mature'.

All the sixth former we visited were chomping at the bit to have him enrol, and wooooo he did gcses early as well.

[NormanLamont]

no, this is exactly the point, it doesn't,thousands of thousands of HE children are included in the analysis.

Forgive me, but I don't think you understand statistical methods very well Charis

If a student who applies for a course is capable we want them on the course. If they are not capable, obviously we don't want them on the course.

One would hope so, but if the system at your institution is as you describe, then you won't be able to make that judgement soundly.

Thankfully there are at least six London colleges with a better approach