Wednesday, September 11, 2002
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Wednesday, September 11, 2002 |
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New program makes homeschoolers eligible for HOPE Scholarship sooner
Home school students who want to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship in their first year of college can work with PACE Christian School, an accredited institution, to receive a state-recognized high school diploma. "PACE recognizes the significant accomplishments of home school students across the nation," said principal Karen Yarbrough. "As such, we seek to support these families in our endeavor to provide superior Christian education to the Christian family." The new umbrella program allows parents to have their home school program fall under PACE's accreditation. PACE staff members visit homes to check that parents are meeting the rigorous state standards set forth by the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, the accrediting body through which PACE is certified. In addition, PACE administers final exams and standardized testing for the parents. In turn, the home school students will be recognized by the state as having graduated from an accredited institution. Previously, home school students were not eligible for the HOPE Scholarship until their second year of college because they were not recognized as having graduated from an accredited institution. However, the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill this year to provide an avenue through the ACSI for home school students to be eligible in their freshman year for the program, provided that the students meet the academic requirements. In an effort to reach out to home school students, PACE provides the option of enrolling children in courses that are not easily administered in the home school environment. Courses include physical science, biology, chemistry, physics, algebra I and II, geometry and precalculus. Electives include chorus, drama, speech and computer science. PACE Christian School functions as an extension of the Christian home. The administration, teachers and staff support parents as they seek to obey Biblical instruction that gives them the ultimate responsibility for the education of their children. PACE educators seek to provide quality education, academic excellence and Biblical leadership skills by teaching the mind and reaching the heart of each student.
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