| This article focuses on dual-enrollment in Washington | | | | especially in difficult subjects like lab science and |
| State (called "Running Start".) I think you will find some | | | | foreign language. |
| useful information here regardless of where you are | | | | Drawbacks: Community colleges will often have lower |
| homeschooling. | | | | academic standards than regular universities. Classes |
| Running Start is relatively easy to access as a | | | | will be a mix of academically capable and academically |
| homeschooler, even at a young age. 1) take the | | | | struggling teens and adults. Teens are usually in the |
| COMPASS test at the community college 2) take | | | | minority. "Public school" environment with former |
| your transcript and COMPASS test results to the local | | | | drop-outs and students of questionable character. |
| high school and talk to the Running Start counselor | | | | "Adult learning environment" that is sometimes akin to |
| there 3) they will sign a paper allowing you to access | | | | watching an R-rated movie. Community colleges have |
| Running Start 4) take the paper into the community | | | | told me to warn homeschoolers that their student |
| college admission department. It's pretty easy (more | | | | population may include "adjudicated individuals" who |
| time consuming when kids are under 16, but still | | | | have been through the court and prison systems. |
| do-able.)Advantages: Dual enrollment can provide | | | | If you are thinking about Running Start, I recommend |
| college credit, which can save many thousands of | | | | using the "buddy system." One friend had great |
| dollars on a college degree. It can provide external | | | | success by using just evening programs, rather than |
| documentation of a student's academic achievement, | | | | daytime classes and using the buddy system. |