How to Count Credits Earned in High School Homeschooling

Question: I am a homeschooler in the 10th grade. I am trying to keep track of my high school credits, but I don't use curriculum, I just get books and study them. Can you explain how to keep track of these subjects.

Answer: The first thing you should do is make a chart of the credits you will need to graduate. To determine this, I like to look at the colleges the student is interested in and meet those requirements. Here is an example of the credits you should amass:

Math: 4 credits such as Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 and 1 more difficult math

Language Arts: 4 credits including a year of American Literature and a Year or World Literature

Science: 3 science credits two of which should be lab based like biology and chemistry

Social Studies: 3 credits including US History, World History, Government

Foreign Language: 2 credits of the same language.

These are minimum requirements, you are always welcome to do more and should get a handful of elective credits (whatever subject you desire) as well.

Now that you know what you need, you should learn how to count a credit. A credit is basically equivalent to a years study of subject at school. It can be counted in a couple of ways. First, you can study a subject for 150-180 hours. If you were earning an American History credit you could fulfill it by reading a couple dozen biographies and historical novels, watching a few history movies, visiting some historical sites, and writing a paper. Just keep track on how many hours you spend on the subject. Another option is to use a textbook and read and do exercises in about 85 to 90% of the book. Another option is to study for and test through a course using standardized tests such as CLEP exams, AP exams, or SAT2 exams. Interestingly enough, passing these tests can earn you college credit as well. Most homeschoolers just study a subject for a school year, about an hour a workday, knowing it will add up to the amount of time required by the end of the school year.

Since you are in 10th grade, you should go back and look at what you studied in your 9th grade year and start filling out your chart. If you feel you only spent 80 hours in American History, give yourself a half credit for it. If you completed an Algebra workbook and watched tons of videos to help you get through it, then regardless of how many hours you spent, you can give yourself a credit for that class. If you were in 2 plays last year spending about 6 hours a week, every week, then you have actually earned 2 credits based on time spent. Count 1 credit of theater for each play. If you filled an entire sketchbook or two with drawings, completed a handful of larger drawing or paintings, and read a few how-to books on drawing faces, hands, castles, etc, then you can award yourself at least 1 credit in art.