Taking a High School Proficiency Exam as a Homeschooler

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GreenCuisine

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The state of California provides an exam called the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam) that if passed you receive a Certificate of Proficiency which is equivalent to a HS diploma. As someone who has been homeschooled my entire life, would it be beneficial to take this as it may validate more of my education as a homeschooler as it wasn't controlled by a public, private, or charter school? This would go along with my SAT and ACT scores.
 
As a homeschooling parent, I think you're on the right track to pursue an objective means of demonstrating your academic abilities. Do you have access to dual enrollment or AP coursework? This is the approach I would take for demonstrating proficiency, and get the college credit while you're at it!

IMO, A state high school proficiency exam isn't necessary and could be a liability where you haven't subscribed to the prescribed coursework/content. I would consider it only if DE/AP coursework isn't available or your ACT/SAT performance doesn't clearly indicate proficiency.
 
StarSon2028 said:
As a homeschooling parent, I think you're on the right track to pursue an objective means of demonstrating your academic abilities. Do you have access to dual enrollment or AP coursework? This is the approach I would take for demonstrating proficiency, and get the college credit while you're at it!

IMO, A state high school proficiency exam isn't necessary and could be a liability where you haven't subscribed to the prescribed coursework/content. I would consider it only if DE/AP coursework isn't available or your ACT/SAT performance doesn't clearly indicate proficiency.
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This is my gut as well as a homeschooling mom. I'm not familiar with the CA exam but often they test state minimums which won't be useful to a SA.

We chose the route of proving academics through DE classes and AP exams coupled with high SAT/ACT scores. They do not take AP classes but pursue similar rigorous coursework and then sit for the exams.
 
I'm not a homeschooler or a homeschool parent, but I am a public school teacher. I would not take a state test. I am in Texas and we have the lovely STAAR test. If I had a child, whether they were homeschooled or in public school, I wouldn't allow them to take it. AP, IB, ACT/SAT, those are fine. I'd steer clear of state tests.
 
I had not heard of this test before, so I did a bit of reading on it. One of the big items I saw on the State of California website in the FAQs was that this test is not valid outside the state of California. I don’t think it will have any benefit for USAFA.

Stealth_81
 
Agree with others-a high school equivalency test doesn't do much for you. The bar for graduating high school is fairly low, USAFA isn't really looking for anyone near that bar, so I don't see what it would add to your application. AP tests would be a much better choice, and the ACT/SAT serve the same equalizing function for homeschoolers as they do between all the various public schools with their own standards. I think it's just a waste of time to take a different state test.
 
My opinion as a retired homeschool mom of three:

My homeschooled kids took the CHSPE during their sophomore year in high school, not for college applications or for graduation equivalencies, but so that they could get higher priority registration for dual enrollment classes at the community college. Without the CHSPE they had difficulty getting into most classes as the CCs had more students than available spots. With the CHSPE they were able to take many classes, which demonstrated their academic abilities and boosted their GPA. We were told that the applications of homeschoolers are scrutinized more closely by USAFA because they want to ensure the cadets are able to handle the academic workload along with all the other responsibilities.

We didn't list the CHSPE on any of their applications as it wasn't relevant; they were awarded a diploma after they fulfilled our school's requirements (which were actually more rigorous than the state's requirements).

So taking the test was valuable, but not for application purposes. HTH! Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. Cheering you on!
 
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I am currently enrolled in the high school enrichment program at my local community college. I have been doing it for the past year. I did not notice that certificate would only be valid in California. I will just continue to take those as well as do well on the PSAT/SAT/ACT. I would have finished all of the higher level math classes by the time I finish high-school as well as a good amount of chem classes.
 
GreenCuisine said:
I am currently enrolled in the high school enrichment program at my local community college. I have been doing it for the past year. I did not notice that certificate would only be valid in California. I will just continue to take those as well as do well on the PSAT/SAT/ACT. I would have finished all of the higher level math classes by the time I finish high-school as well as a good amount of chem classes.
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That's excellent. In our area, it would have been difficult for our kids to get into the upper level STEM classes through the CC's high school program. Even the waitlists were full. Sounds like you are on the right path!
 
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