SPARROW HOME SCHOOL

Home schooling teens.  I've made this a separate section (though the other sections of this website certainly still apply) because things change a lot when our home schooled children get to this age.

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We're not just dealing with learning and education here.  We are dealing with puberty and all the challenges for teens and parents alike that come with that. It's about how teens view themselves and finding their place in the world, dealing with possible peer pressure (though I personally believe it's greatly reduced in the home schooling community, it still exists in society), what do they want to do with their lives, being torn between being a kid and being a young adult, learning to be a self-assured, self-confident, celebrated individual who is seen, really seen, for who they are.  

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"I do not ask my sons what they want to be when they grow up.  I ask them what do they want to change about the world to make it a better place, what are they passionate about.  If they can find a way to make a living out of this, then I believe they will live lives of joy, they will be game-changers, they will indeed help make this world a better place for themselves and future generations.  It does not have to be big, huge stuff to the world, but to at least them because I believe that everyone's little bit collectively lifts us all".  - Sparrow Home School

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So here (and/or via my Blog), I will list a range of websites, books, ideals and more that you and your teen may find helpful when navigating through the home school teen years (this info may evolve over time so please come back and visit). I will say this though, talk to your teen, let them be involved and make decisions about what they want to learn about, what they want to work towards.  Keep in mind they may change their 'end game' several times and that is OK.

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Let's say your teen wants to be a vet for example.  Work back from that 'end game' to find out what they need to learn/do/achieve to reach that goal then follow that pathway.  Maybe a few months or more down that track they actually realise they want to be a teacher instead (again, for example).  Work with your teen to find out what they need to learn/do/achieve to reach that goal then follow that new pathway.  Don't look at the other pathway you both started (eg: vet) as a waste of time.  It's all learning, it's all experience and some of what they learnt on that pathway just might help them achieve their new pathway.

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Begin with the end in mind so after discussions with your teen on what they think they want to do, find out what pathway they need to follow and go from there.

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Also, check out "So, how does your child think, learn and perceive their world?" here for further insight into your teen, how they like to learn and much more.

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Pathways to your teens chosen career

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In Australia, there are many pathways that can be followed leading your teen to the career they have chosen for themselves.  The pathways available can depend upon what it is your teen wants to do.  

 

Does your teen want to work for someone else or start their own business themselves or work for someone else to learn the business they are interested in so they can start their own one day?  Are these the ways to help them achieve their goals, make and be the change they want in the world, help them fulfill their passions, do what gives them joy?  Whether you live in Australia or another part of the world, contacting the different universities, TAFE or other colleges as well as speaking with the actual people who do the career your teen wants to do will help you both gather the information you need to reach this goal.  Who in their community would be great, safe and trusted mentors?  What work experience can they be involved in?  Usually Work Experience Insurance comes into play here, as home schoolers you usually need to organise this yourself, get in contact with your local home schooling body who should be able to guide you on this - find their details here - Home Schooling Bodies in Australia (speak with the home schooling bodies in your area of the world if not Australia).  Work with your teen on this, don't do it all for them, help and guide them, be there for them - helping them reach the next stage in their lives.

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University

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Universities are open and keen to accommodate home educated students.  How and what your teen needs to do to enter university often depends on what degree they are wanting to do.  It could be sitting a SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), it could be doing a university ready course or even gaining entrance via an interview/portfolio/audition and could include sitting a STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test).  TAFE (see below) can also potentially be a pathway into university.

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Evidence of prior learning is very helpful when making an application to attend further education.

 

You will probably hear the word ATAR while investigating pathways to university.  ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank and is a means used to assess and compare the results of school-leaving applicants for entry to university.  An ATAR is a number ranging between 99.95 and zero which reports your rank position relative to all other students.  ATAR scores are achieved via completing Year 11 and/or Year 12 in high school (via a school).  This may be a choice your teen wishes to make however, it is but one pathway to university.

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Open Universities is another option.  Open Universities Australia say this about their work, "For over twenty years Open Universities Australia has opened the doors for students undertaking online higher education or professional development.  We are proud and committed to helping students succeed on their study journeys.  OUA recognises students' need for flexible learning schedules that fit into their lives, and our goal is to provide an education that fits your lifestyle".  Investigating their requirements will help you decide if this is an option for your chosen career.

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Meet with the course administrators of specific degrees so you can find out exactly what your teen needs to achieve to enter the course and university required to start their chosen career, different universities may have different pathway requirements.  Begin with the end in mind.

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TAFE

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tafecourses.com.au in Australia state "TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education.  It’s a government-run system that provides education after high school in vocational areas, like beauty, design, childcare, accounting, business, recruitment, IT, and many more.  While university teaches a broad range of theories, TAFE focuses on specific skills for a particular workplace.  For example, a Certificate IV in Aged Care teaches all the skills needed to work in aged care – either at a client’s home or an aged care facility.  TAFE is usually taught at TAFE Institutes around Australia, although an increasing number of courses are available online".

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Meet with the course administrators of specific courses so you can find out exactly what your teen needs to achieve to enter the course and TAFE required to start their chosen career, different TAFE institutions may have different pathway requirements.  Begin with the end in mind.

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Australian Apprenticeship Pathways

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This website allows you to work out what pathways you can follow if you wish to become an apprentice in various industries in Australia:

http://www.aapathways.com.au/Home

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General

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There are private colleges that offer a range of courses that may be appropriate for your teen to attend to reach their chosen career.  Talk with people, the education department, colleagues, friends, other home schoolers who have walked this path, your home school body, universities, TAFE colleges, private collages and find out exactly what your child needs to do for them to reach their career goals.  The Home Based Learning Network (HBLN) in WA offers information about various pathways here which you may find of interest (some are WA specific because HBLN are based in WA but others apply nationally) - https://hbln.org.au/home-schooling/pathways/career-pathways

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Be an advocate for your teen and watch them flourish and grow.

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