Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which algebra course do you recommend?

A: We are asked this question VERY often. We have really struggled with this one and we are going back to what we might NOT have recommended initially. (It does not have as many examples as we like). But as I sit here with multiple algebra books on my desk and review my thoughts on many I have seen - I think the clear winner on coverage and price is Jacobs.

Harold Jacobs Elementary Algebra - I like Jacobs approach to math. Most math texts are rigid and seem to work hard to make math boring. Jacob’s treatment is clean and simple. I would like to see more illustration of graphs and better coverage of some points – but that is true in any curriculum. Some families who have used it indicate a few problems in the each section cannot be deciphered even with the solutions manual – but they still give it high reviews. We would recommend buying not only the book but also the Teachers Guide. Lamp Post Homeschool Store carries one of the best prices we have found on the bundle – about $90. We do NOT recommend the tests - they are over priced. Instead assign them to work some problems out of the summary section – open book and notes. Grade them correct answer only allowing them to correct wrong answers for partial credit. This approach works well (we always use it) and really helps the student learn from their own mistakes. Feel free to use our test grade sheets. In fact, since we recommend it we will support it for FREE. If there is something you do not understand from the solutions manual, just let us know and we will attempt to clear up the issue.

Jacobs is not the only solution. There are many good programs out there and some may just work better for you. (See our article on how to evaluate an algebra book.) We recommend you have your son or daughter to help you pick the best curriculum for them. As long as the basics are covered and they will practice you are OK. However, we just do not like Saxon for this level of math. But I will not jump on that soapbox now.

Q: What is the typical math sequence?

A: The typical sequence is Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II with Trigonometry, and Calculus. Where a particular student gets in the sequence depends on when you start, but the further along you get the better. (Think college entrance exams here.) In order to work this sequence out you will need to start in the 9th grade with algebra. However, do not push too hard if they just do not get algebra. The biggest problem we see at the university level in students of calculus is not a weak calculus background, but a poor handle of algebra.

8th - Pre-algebra
9th - Algebra
10th - Geometry
11th - Algebra II with Trigonometry (also called Precalculus)
12th - Calculus

Q: What about a pre-calculus course?

A: Basically pre-calculus is the same as algebra II with trig. A good pre-calculus course will take a student through graphing, functions, polynomials, exponentials, and trig. These are the same subjects covered in Algebra II with trig. For example, look at the contents of Larson’s Algebra with Trig textbook as compared to his pre-calculus textbook. If you look at the textbooks, they are basically identical except for a few minor details and arrangement. So call it what you will, they both prepare a student to take calculus and do well on college entrance exams.

Q: How do I teach advanced math to my high school student? I have forgotten all I ever knew!

A: This question is one of the most frequent we get. Coupled with the need for advanced science and English, this issue pushes many parents to put their high schoolers back into public or private school. Moving back to public or private school is a reasonable solution that works for many. However, I would suggest a parent not do this for the math, science, or English alone.

As for math, many other alternatives are available. First are the online courses. Most of the typical homeschool programs (Abeka, Bob Jones, etc) have math products. Another approach is the Saxon math series, which walks a student through the material. (Many people have had success with this approach, but look at the article The Math Problem before going this way)

Let me suggest better approaches. I would strongly encourage you to use a program that has more advanced textbooks and better coverage of the material – namely college level books. Let’s face it, when colleges teach algebra it is the same as a high school algebra – except for the expectations. (Once again, see article The Math Problem.) So here are some solutions.

1. Use a video program that uses college level books. We offer some of these ourselves.

2. Enroll your student into college math courses as either degree seeking or pre-enrollment. Many colleges will allow students to audit courses. The advantage of this approach over entering them into public or private high school is that you are dealing with only one course with limited time in the company of older kids – possibly more mature.

3. Get a teacher from the homeschool community. If you search the local homeschool communities, you might just find the math courses being offered in a homeschool setting. Often these are homeschooling parents who started teaching a subject when their own kids had to take it and the parent had an adequate background to teach the course. Any parent with a degree is science, engineering, or math would be perfect. You might approach a person with these credentials who has children at the same level as yours – they have to teach it anyway!

4. Get a good textbook and find some help. Even if a parent will not be able to teach a course, they may offer help sessions or be willing to be on call to help. Math is a subject that must be done and not lectured about. Students often can go through the material and just need help to get over certain areas – so sitting in a class might be a waste of time. A little help and a good book might be all they need.

Q: Will my home schooler be able to get into college?

A: Simple answer – yes. The question you must ask is where do they plan to go to college. I do not see any colleges turning away homeschooled applicants, but some appear to require you to jump through a few more hoops. But these colleges usually require everyone to jump through a few more hoops at some point in their program.

To get a better feel for the answer here, let us look at the question from the side of the college. What do they care about? Like it or not, EVERY college and university is a business – even those who call themselves public and get state funding. They all have budgets and income, and most are money machines. What brings them income? Two answers.

1. Students. Many colleges have as a focus teaching, and therefore most of their income comes from students paying tuition or bringing scholarship dollars. Those that get state funding often have part of their state funding tied to parameters such as the number of students, the number of graduates, etc. For the most part, the more students and the better they perform, the better the school does. Student quality is also key to their marketing which attracts other students. The big selling point of a college is how well the college looks – how successful are the graduates, what is their average SAT, ACT score?

So the issue is, if they think your child can help their numbers and can pay (or has money to pay) the more likely they will want them. Also, if your child helps to raise their standards - is above the average ACT or SAT scores - the more likely they will offer your child a scholarship since this will help them attract other students.

2. Research. Many large universities get a significant amount of their income from research. Their student needs are about the same as the other schools, but often they will limit enrollment and therefore might require a higher standard.

Overall remember this – colleges and universities do not enroll high schools – they enroll students. Most colleges are well aware that homeschoolers make great students and encourage them to apply. But all of them want good students. So the higher the entrance exam scores the better your chance to get into any school.

If you know where you child is planning to go to college, contact them as early as possible. Remember most scholarship money is committed early in the senior year of high school, so I would start contacting colleges as early as your child expresses an interest. By 10th grade would be best. If they have no particular college they are interested in, contact the obvious choices such as local universities. Also, as they start thinking of a particular discipline, contact the chairmen of the colleges academic departments. They often have their own requirements and sometimes even have their own scholarship dollars.

Q: Does it really matter what college they attend?

A: No. OK, I know MANY of you will disagree with this. Some schools have very high reputations and open doors for jobs. If you and your child have the opportunity, desire, and resources to attend one of these – go for it. But for the rest of us, let’s look for the situation.

First, many who get college degrees will find themselves working in another field years later. This is a result of economic conditions, a change of interest, career opportunities that come along, or marriage. This is especially true of those who find themselves owning their own companies.

Secondly, for the most part after you begin your first job the only reason anyone will ever care about your college is to talk college sports. People hire people for what they can do evidenced by what they have done, rarely for their degree. The exception would be they might hire a Harvard lawyer for prestige, even is he or she was a lousy lawyer. But like I said, for the rest of us…..

Thirdly, many change their minds when they get into college. So if you find yourself in the school that has the best pre-med program in the country this might do you little good if suddenly you decide to go into business.

Perhaps the more important question to be asking is what discipline your child might take into college. Most high school students, and often most parents, have little knowledge about a particular career field. Many high schoolers think they know what doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc do – but may have formed their opinions from TV or movies. Time should be spent putting your children in touch with Godly men and women who work or have worked in areas they are considering.

Lastly, consider the option of education. What is your desire for your child? Is it for them to get a good degree to get a good job? Why? Consider conventional wisdom about good degree, hard work, and happy life. Most who have the good degrees end up with companies who demand more than 40-hour work weeks. This cuts into raising their family and puts them on a "keeping up with the Jones’s" track. Open your child’s mind to serving others - it is biblical and opens the door for ministry careers or entrepreneurship. (See article on Free Agent)

Q: What should we teach?

A: With the variety of subjects a high schooler might get interested in, and a great amount of flexibility you must ask what is important to teach.

First, stress God’s word. The study of the bible should be the foundation of their study, and be a starting point of all of their course work. High school subjects like math, science, literature; end even things such as debate can easily be drawn from the resources of the bible. The key things to teach here are an overall understanding of the bible and how it fits together, basics of theology, and apologetics. If your son or daughter plans to go to college, we really suggest apologetics so that they may be able to stand firm in their faith in a very hostile environment to Christianity.

Next to the bible we suggest financial management. No, we do not mean Wall Street stuff so much, but being a good steward of your finances. For this we highly suggest Crown Ministries material. This topic is of extreme importance for sons and daughters. Out of God’s word come many pitfalls and blessings from the proper handling of finances and debt. Today’s society is wallowing in these pitfalls and the United States is swimming in personal debt. We have seen many lives blessed in learning to let the Jone’s do as they will and live your life as a good steward.

Next we suggest you focus on career and college prep courses. Be careful here, and really look to your child and God’s word. Many people seek God’s will for their life, but miss the obvious will given in God’s word. Most women will become wives and mothers, and most men will become husbands and fathers. While much of what they learn might be by example, we believe you should help prepare them for these family careers. Teach them the biblical principle of being married and having children. Teach your daughters how to work in the home, and your sons how to earn a living.

After this is the normal concept of scope and sequence. We put these other out front first since most homeschool scope and sequences do not emphasize these elements.

Another element we suggest is you teach your children to earn a living. While preparing a child to go to college and get a job is good, it might not be the best. Having been in industry for many years I can see many people who are disillusioned. Jobs are not secure today, and many families find their lives in turmoil due to the single source of income. So when we say teach them to earn a living, we mean just that. A friend whose son is a junior in business school suggested his son get true management experience. Instead of joining a local company, which has a decent management training program, he suggested his son start a lawn care company. He told him that he wanted it done right, invoices, marketing, etc. He agreed to be the first customer. While his son might or might not succeed in this venture, he will learn a great deal about business and earning a living. (See articles on Free Agents)

While teaching entrepreneurship in the executive IEM program at UAB, I have seen many people develop a confidence they had never had before. While they might not leave their corporate job, they often develop a since of peace knowing they could go it alone or join a smaller company if things went bad in the corporate job. This is well worth the education – since so many people in America today feel trapped in their job.

For more information on our view about this subject see Starting with God's Word.

Q: Why college level textbooks?

A: Simply put – they are better! High school material is intentionally designed to be easier to meet the lowered demands of the high school market. They are not geared toward students planning on moving into college. University faculty in many disciplines continually point out the mathematical weakness of incoming college students as a result of lowered demands and simplified high school curriculum.

Q: What is the difference between Precalculus and Algebra II with Trigonometry?

A: Precalculus is basically the same thing as Algebra II with Trigonometry. In fact, if you look at the books by popular book vendors you will find their Precalculus textbooks and their Algebra II with Trigonometry textbooks to be almost exactly the same with different covers. Some people prefer to call it Algebra II with Trigonometry and others prefer Precalculus. Either should prepare the student for a following course in Calculus.