Homeschooling has become common in the modern era, with parents increasingly looking for effective and engaging ways to educate their children. One popular homeschooling curriculum is the Accelerated Christian Education, or ACE.
Many parents are wondering whether this is a good homeschool curriculum for their children, so this article will provide an overview of ACE to help inform parents’ decisions.
Overview of ACE
The Accelerated Christian Education is a homeschool curriculum designed by ACE Ministries. ACE seeks to promote Christian values in education with a curriculum based around Christian values and beliefs. ACE has been used in Christian schools for over 40 years, and is now also used for home-schooling.
The ACE curriculum focuses on Biblical principles, including Biblical worldview training and character development. The curriculum consists of many different subjects, including math, language arts, science, and history.
For each subject, there are specific goals and objectives set out, as well as evaluation criteria.
What Are the Goals of ACE?
ACE has a number of goals and objectives which guide the curriculum. These objectives range from increasing Biblical knowledge to instilling strong values and attitudes in students. One of the main goals of ACE is to help students to know and understand the Bible and be able to live according to Biblical principles.
In addition, the curriculum focuses on developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, teaching students to be logical, analytical, and creative. The curriculum also helps to foster stronger values in students, such as respect, responsibility, and character development.
Finally, there is a strong emphasis on the development of study skills, helping students to become more self-directed and independent learners.
How Is the ACE Curriculum Structured?
The ACE curriculum follows a specific structure to ensure that students get the most out of their education. The curriculum uses the ACE learning system, which is a combination of self-instructional materials and teacher-led instruction.
The self-instructional materials are based around workbooks, while teacher-led instruction can involve either one-on-one tutoring or group classes, depending on the student’s needs and circumstances. The ACE learning system includes several components to help students understand their curriculum better. At the beginning of the year, the teacher creates a “master quiz”, which helps assess the student’s understanding and comprehension of the material.
In addition, each student is given a “Manual for Parents”, which provides detailed instructions for the student’s assigned curricular modules. Finally, each week, the student and teacher are expected to “dialogue review”, where they can discuss any challenges, questions or observations.
Advantages of ACE
ACE offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive option for homeschooling families. First, the curriculum offers a comprehensive scope and sequence that covers many different subjects in order to give students a well-rounded education. In addition, the curriculum has been praised for its strong emphasis on character development.
Finally, the ACE system provides lots of support and guidance for parents, whether in the form of the “Manual for Parents” or teacher-led instruction.
Disadvantages of ACE
Despite its advantages, ACE also has some drawbacks. One of the main issues is that the curriculum has been criticised for having a too narrow focus on Christianity. There is no room for other faith perspectives in the curriculum, leaving non-Christian students and families feeling excluded.
Additionally, the curriculum does not provide much in the way of creative or hands-on activities, which can be more stimulating for some learners. Finally, the scope and sequence can be steep for some students, and there is no real way of adapting the curriculum to different learning styles.
Should You Use ACE as a Homeschool Curriculum?
Overall, ACE can be a good homeschool curriculum for some students. This is particularly true for Christian families, who will find value in the strong emphasis on Biblical principles.
However, some parents may find that the curriculum is too narrow in scope or that it doesn’t provide enough flexibility. Ultimately, it is important to make sure that the curriculum is the right fit for your family and your students.
Conclusion
The ACE curriculum can be a great option for many homeschooled students, providing a comprehensive and rigorous education with a strong emphasis on Biblical principles. However, ACE may not be the right curriculum for all families, as there are certain drawbacks, such as its exclusivity and lack of flexibility. In any case, it is important to do research and carefully consider the curriculum before making a final decision.