Many of our customers reach out to customer service as their student approaches high school. They want to be sure that our materials will count for a language arts credit. Perhaps, a new customer may find us during this season as they want to be sure their student is prepared for college-level writing and friends recommend IEW. It is understandable that parents need to know how to navigate this different season of their educational journey.
What is needed for a full language arts credit?
In general, a full language arts program would include writing/composition, reading/literature, grammar (depending on the grade), and vocabulary and/or spelling. However, these elements can vary, depending on the grades and needs of the students you are working with as well as the specific requirements of your state or local school district. IEW does not package full language arts programs for a specific grade. Instead, we recommend that you meet each student where he is for each language arts component.
When our video-based courses are used to their fullest potential, you can be confident that you are including the components needed for a full language arts credit. Since each includes writing/composition, literature suggestions, grammar at the point of need, grammar course options, and vocabulary words, they meet the criteria. Our theme-based courses include most of these components. Adding Fix It!™ Grammar will provide a full language arts credit if you choose the theme-based option.Your students may have finished formal grammar instruction and spelling as they reach ninth grade, but if not, you can use the grammar and writing vocabulary words as the spelling words or purchase a separate spelling program for 4th grade and above.
What if my high school student needs to use a lower level course?
Andrew Pudewa has addressed high school credits as he responds to customer questions in our Ask Andrew Anything series within our Arts of Language podcast. He specifically reassures customers who may be asking the above question. In Episode 410, he states that it is “better to err on the side of a little easier.” Each of our writing courses touch on the same thing each year, practicing nine units with a steady progression upwards in challenge level. Andrew also reminds families that our Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C course is used by some colleges in dual enrollment, counting for two semesters of college credit! Therefore, be assured that one of our Level B offerings can be counted as high school level work. As Andrew reminds us: if we have all of the needed components, the main thing is “just counting time.”
What if my student is involved in the NCAA with its strict guidelines?
IEW’s programs are robust and usually meet or exceed state standards. The NCAA eligibility program determines its own standards for what it will accept. You will need to go back to them to clarify if they will accept IEW as part of the language arts credit. The NCAA requires course descriptions that you can find on the product pages online. We have found that as long as the course you choose is at grade level, they are accepting of IEW materials. That being said, customers who have had to submit their student’s courses share that using IEW has never been an issue for them and that they do not state the grade level but include the details of the concepts covered in the course, and this has always been sufficient.
Additional resources?
We know that the looming high school years can be quite challenging and that each family desires to be fully prepared and check all of the needed boxes. In an effort to pull together additional resources for our customers, we have long partnered with The HomeScholar, who offers specific help to homeschool families approaching and in the midst of this season. In fact, its founder, Lee Binz, wrote a helpful blog post for us titled “Six Calming Answers to Six Panicky Questions about High School English for Homeschoolers.” This post was bookmarked and frequently open on my browser as I entered the high school years with my own students. Lee will give you the confidence to approach this milestone as she breaks it down simply, eradicating the fear and trepidation many hold. You can also find further resources listed on our high school landing page here. Our customer service team takes great delight when we are able to furnish needed information and helpful resources!
by Katie Eades
