Homeschooling is an increasingly popular way to provide an education to children and teens, with many families deciding to take this route to avoid what they view as flawed public and private school systems. It can also provide the benefits of tailoring their child’s education to their needs and interests. However, one area that causes a lot of confusion for those considering homeschooling is how the University of California (UC) system evaluates courses taken at the secondary school level that were taught by parents or tutors.
Of particular interest to many is how foreign language courses taken in a home-schooled context are evaluated by the UC system. This article seeks to answer this question as well as provide an overview of the UC system’s process for evaluating home-schooled language classes.
What is the UC System?
The University of California system consists of 10 public universities throughout the state of California. It is one of the world’s most prestigious and selective research university systems, educating more than 263,000 undergraduates and more than 126,800 graduate students in 201 Their admissions process for incoming undergraduates is among the most competitive in the country, and many students who attend the UC schools come from backgrounds that involve “nontraditional” educational experiences, such as being home-schooled.
As such, the UC system must ensure that courses taken as part of a homeschool curriculum are deemed acceptable for the entrance criteria.
How does the UC System Evaluate Home-Schooled Language Classes?
The UC system evaluates applicants from home-schooled backgrounds according to the same standards and criteria as those from traditional high school settings. They take into account such factors as the academic rigor of the curriculum, the level of teacher guidance, as well as any evidence of individual achievement. The UC system asks that homeschooled students provide evidence that their language coursework is substantially equal in both substance and quality to that of a traditional classroom.
To prove this, homeschooled families may submit experiential evidence such as demonstrating a high proficiency in the language, which can be done by providing verifying documents proving fluency or taking a language proficiency test. Evidence of mastery over certain topics may also be provided such as essays, compositions, or presentations in the foreign language; translations of reading passages; or presentation of artifacts or works from regions or countries where the language is spoken.
As well educational institutions may also provide transcripts or official documentation that attest to the homeschooled student’s successful completion of a foreign language course.
What Types of Homeschool Foreign Language Curriculum is Accepted by UC System?
The UC system accepts a variety of homeschool foreign language curricula as long as they provide evidence that the student has achieved a mastery of the language at the level that would be found in a traditional school setting. This includes foreign language curricula such as Rosetta Stone that involve audio or visual components, or classes that have been tailor-made for the student in cooperation with a tutor or independent education company. It is important to note that the UC system does not take into account the applicant’s exposure to a language outside the classroom, such as through travel or cultural exposure, as valid evidence for admission consideration.
What Are the Requirements for a Passable Homeschool Foreign Language Course?
The UC system requires that homeschooled foreign language courses meet the guidelines for a ‘C’ or better grade in an approved subject for meeting UC entrance requirements. This includes at least one year of high school level language coursework that includes both speaking and writing proficiency, as well as a mastery of key literacy concepts such as grammar, syntax, and phonology. The UC system also encourages applicants to demonstrate additional coursework such as literature in the language, advanced-level writing and speaking, online language instruction programs, and test preparation courses, and these can also be included in the coursework submission.
How Are Homeschooled Language Classes Counted as Subject Requirements?
Homeschooled language courses are counted towards the UC system’s required ‘C’ or better grade in an approved subject for meeting UC entrance requirements in the same way as traditional language classes. Courses that have been taken or have been in progress for at least the three years preceding the applicant’s expected date of enrollment are eligible for subject requirement credit.
Only students who have taken 8 semester or 12 quarter units of language course work by the time of enrollment are eligible for credit for language other than English requirements.
How Many Years of Language Course Work Should a Homeschooled Student Take to Meet UC System Admission Requirements?
The UC system recommends that homeschooled students take two or three years of foreign language coursework to meet the system’s admission requirements. For instance, completion of two full years of high school language coursework that includes both reading and writing discussion, as well as mastery of grammatical concepts, will help demonstrate to the UC system that the student has achieved a level of knowledge sufficient for a college-level language course.
What If the Student Does Not Have Access to a Language Curriculum?
If a homeschooled student does not have access to a formal language curriculum, they can still articulate their knowledge and proficiency in the language to the UC system. This can be done by providing verifying documents such as certificates of completion from language immersion programs, online language instruction programs, or test preparation materials. They can also provide transcripts and/or enlist a knowledgeable instructor to provide evaluation of the student’s abilities in the language.
What Is the Difference Between a Standard High School Home School Foreign Language Course and a UC-Reviewed Alternative Language Requirement Course?
The UC system’s standard high school and home school foreign language course examines a student’s knowledge and proficiency in a language by taking into account their performance in the chosen language during the course of the class. The alternative language requirement course, however, is a coursework offered outside of the standard high school/home school curriculum.
This course focuses more on the ability of a student to demonstrate mastery of content in a language, as opposed to their general performance in the language. Examples of such courses include language immersion programs, online language instruction programs, or test preparation materials.
What Instruction Materials Are Best for a Struggling Homeschooled Student in a Foreign Language Course?
For homeschooled students who are struggling to meet the requirement of a foreign language course, there are a variety of instruction materials available to assist them. For example, some online language instruction programs, such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, offer courses in various languages. These courses are often self-paced and can be adapted to the student’s individual needs and learning level.
Additionally, there are a variety of homeschool language arts curricula available, such as Language Arts 6 & Beyond and Essentials of English, that include foreign language instruction. Finally, there are a variety of homeschool foreign language courses, such as the Foreign Language in Homeschool program or the ESL Curriculum Library, that focus on providing students with a comprehensive insight into foreign language and culture.
What Resources Are Available for Parents of Home-Schooled Students Trying to Meet UC System Admissions Requirements?
The UC system provides a number of resources for parents and guardians of home-schooled students attempting to meet its admission requirements. These include the California Home School Network, which offers resources, support, and seminars for homeschooled students, their parents or guardians, and home educators; the University of California Educational Preparation Program (UCEAP), which offers online coursework, personal statements, and career exploration services; and the UC High School Supplementary Curriculum, which outlines UC-approved coursework and test scores.
All these resources can be helpful to families navigating the UC system’s admission process.
Conclusion
The UC system has detailed criteria for evaluating homeschooled language classes in the admissions process. This includes both the kinds of homeschool foreign language curriculum that are accepted and the number of years of language coursework that should be taken.
The UC system also provides resources and guidance to families of home-schooled students, such as the California Home School Network, UCEAP, and the UC High School Supplementary Curriculum. As such, homeschooled students have the same possibility at being admitted to the University of California system as their traditional high school counterparts.