Corporate Partners for School Choice/McKay Scholarship for students with Disabilities & Step Up For Students Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program/What's going on in news and events? "The maximum possible amount for scholarships in the next two years is in fact $805.1 million - See more at: http://www.redefinedonline.org/#sthash.k86V3OHk.dpuf"

·         "Step Up For Students seeks to spur improvements in the K-12 education system by equipping all of Florida's parents with the tools to seek the best education for their children through educational option programs - such as the Step Up For Students Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program and the McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities."

Amscot, Hungry Howies, AEGON/Transamerica Companies, American, Integrity Insurance Corporation, Amerigroup Community Care, Anesthesiologists Professionals Assurance Company, Ark Royal Insurance Company, American Strategic Insurance,AT&T, Bernie Little Distributors, Inc., BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brown & Brown, Brown Distributing Company, Burkhardt Distributing Company, Inc., Capitol Preferred, Carroll Distributing Company, Church Mutual Insurance Company, CenturyLink,  Cerner Corporation, City Beverages Orlando, Coastal Beverage, Ltd., Cypress Property & Casualty, Daytona Beverages, LLC, Eagle Brands Sales, EverBank, FACTS Management Company, FCCI,First Professionals Insurance Company, First Home Insurance Company, Florida Doctors Insurance Company, Florida FamilyInsurance Company, Gap, Inc., GEICO, Gold Coast Beverage Distributors, Inc., Gulf Power, Gulfstream Property & Casualty, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., HCA, Heritage Indemnity Company, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., LabCorp, Landstar Systems, Inc., Lending Processing Services, Inc., Liberty Mutual Group, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company, Londen Companies, Lowe’s, Marriott International, MEDNAX Services, Inc., Miller Brewing Company, Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC,Nelnet, Peace River Distributing, Inc., Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Philip Morris USA, Preferred Care Partners, Progress Energy, PSS World Medical, Raymond James, Rosen, Safety National Casualty Corporation, Security First Insurance Company, Service Insurance Company, Southern Eagle Distributing, Inc., Southern Fidelity, Southern Oak Insurance Company, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., Summit, Sysco Food Services, South Florida, Inc., Sysco Food Services,West Coast, Inc., Tri-Eagle Sales, UnitedHealthcare, United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Universal North America, Urban Outfitters, Vector Group Ltd., V.F. Corporation, Walgreen Co., Waste Management, Wayne Densch Inc., Wells Fargo, AAA National Office, Armstrong Foundation, Blue Ridge Foundation, Dick & Betsy DeVos Foundation, Richard & Helen, DeVos Foundation, Robertson Foundation, Walton Family Foundation )

http://www.stepupforstudents.org/newsroom/news-and-events

(...the policy director for Step Up For Students, a nonprofit that co-hosts this blog and helps administer the scholarshi - See more at: http://www.redefinedonline.org/#sthash.k86V3OHk.dpuf

http://www.redefinedonline.org/

FSBA leader twists truth on tax credit scholarships

By JON EAST On AUGUST 28, 2014

- See more at: http://www.redefinedonline.org/#sthash.k86V3OHk.dpuf

How Frequently are Homeschoolers Investigated?

It is impossible to know how many homeschooling families are investigated for child abuse and neglect, but in HSLDA’s experience, the number of investigations initiated solely because a family has chosen to homeschool has significantly declined over the past 30 years. However, many innocent families are still wrongly reported. Statistics show that up to 60 percent of children removed from their homes by social workers were taken away from their parents without probable cause to suspect abuse. Approximately 30 percent of reports that are investigated include only one child found to be a victim of abuse or neglect. Fifty-eight percent of the reports are found unsubstantiated.¹

When homeschooling families are reported for abuse or neglect, the allegations often include a mention of school attendance as well as other accusations, and in most cases, they are unfounded. Unfortunately, allegations are often made by family members, neighbors, or acquaintances who are upset with the family and use the child welfare system for retaliation. It is important to note that some states have statutory penalties for knowingly making a false report.

Over the years, HSLDA has represented thousands of families during CPS investigations. Our lawyers have also litigated and won a number of cases on behalf of homeschoolers (search active cases or our archives).

Are CPS Investigations Legal?

While social workers are required by law to investigate tips of abuse and neglect, they are still not free from the constraints of the Fourth Amendment—thus, there is both a legal and an illegal way to conduct them. In his article,“The Fourth Amendment’s Impact on Child Abuse Investigations,” Michael Farris explains the balance of the state’s responsibility with individual and family rights, stating that in a 1999 decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said it best, “The government’s interest in the welfare of children embraces not only protecting children from physical abuse, but also protecting children’s interest in the privacy and dignity of their homes and in the lawfully exercised authority of their parents.”²

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/P/Privacy_CPS.asp


FELLOW HOMESCHOOLERS CONTACTS:

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http://www.stepupforstudents.org/about-us/our-cause/success-partners

Success Partners is a three year comprehensive professional development program that is FREE to all schools serving Step Up For Students scholars. Success Partners is grounded in current research that directly correlates student success with parent involvement regardless of economic, racial/ethnic & educational backgrounds. Through a series of published modules, schools study structures, processes and conditions necessary to sustain powerful parent-school partnerships. The modules provide the framework for development of a parent- school partnership action plan unique to the school community. The capstone of the program is the web-based, interactive Teaching and Learning Exchange that features the State Standards, instructional strategies, parent and student interventions, while at the same time addressing social and behavioral issues.

iTunes In Education? Tech Wave- Hybrid Platforms require hybrid tools.... "Learning Powered By Technology...

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/environment-humanity-race/id509325027?mt=11

http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/download/?id=509325027

Environment and Humanity: The Race To Save The Planet DSST / DANTES Study Guide - Pass Your Class - Part 2 (Environment & Humanity) [Kindle Edition]

http://www.amazon.com/Environment-Humanity-Planet-DANTES-Study-ebook/dp/B00BME0I0K

Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology .

http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf

"Most important, says Ms. Pollak, is not to wait around for the perfect class or educational opportunity to fall into your lap. Instead, take advantage of the low barrier to entry offered by free online courses, for example, and dive right in, she says."

http://online.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-your-education-end-at-graduation-1408234349?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_Careers_Education&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304819704580061751711256646.html?mod=WSJ_Careers_Education

iTunes U offers free educational content, including lectures, from colleges and universities.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-your-education-end-at-graduation-1408234349?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_Careers_Education&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304819704580061751711256646.html?mod=WSJ_Careers_Education

"Consider also a philosophy course, which will help you brush up on logic, argumentation and debate skills..." Don't Let Your Education End at Graduation Continued Learning is Critical, and There Are Lots of Free Resources

Don't Let Your Education End at Graduation

Continued Learning is Critical, and There Are Lots of Free Resources

http://online.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-your-education-end-at-graduation-1408234349?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_Careers_Education&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304819704580061751711256646.html?mod=WSJ_Careers_Education

CollegeJournal.com

https://twitter.com/coursera/ & Virtual Teacher Program

Over five weeks, we will cover the following topics:

Week 1: History of Virtual Education 
Week 2: Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies 
Week 3: Transitioning from the Classroom to a Virtual Environment 
Week 4: Equity and Access, Funding, and the Law 
Week 5: The Future of Virtual Education and Review

https://www.coursera.org/specialization/virtualteacher/10?utm_medium=listingPage

FEATURED OPENCOURSEWARE AT COURSERA Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects

https://www.coursera.org/course/learning
https://www.coursera.org/specializations?utm_medium=topnav

Click the above link for more information

"you can start watching lectures and participating on the forums with other students right now!"

Signature Track enables you to securely link your coursework to your identity, allowing you to confidently show the world what you've achieved on Coursera.

About the Course

This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about the how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects.

Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you’re already an expert, this peep under the mental hood will give you ideas for turbocharging successful learning, including counter-intuitive test-taking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets. If you’re struggling, you’ll see a structured treasure trove of practical techniques that walk you through what you need to do to get on track. If you’ve ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide.

Every Friday at 12:00 PM EST, the weekly content will be posted for the weekend and the upcoming week. Here is an overview of the weekly topics for the course;

Week 1 – Introduction: Focused versus Diffuse Thinking (begins Aug 1)
Week 2 – Chunking (begins Aug 8)
Week 3 – Procrastination and Memory (begins Aug 15)
Week 4 – Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential (begins Aug 22) 

(http://online.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-your-education-end-at-graduation-1408234349?tesla=y&mod=WSJ_Careers_Education&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304819704580061751711256646.html?mod=WSJ_Careers_Education)

Don't Let Your Education End at Graduation

Continued Learning is Critical, and There Are Lots of Free Resources

...iTunes U offers free educational content, including lectures, from colleges and universities. Khan Academy (Khanacademy.org), a nonprofit, is a free platform for original tutorial videos and assessments, and users earn virtual badges for mastering a given subject. Codecademy (Codecademy.com) offers free, hands-on online programming courses and exercises. Coursera (Coursera.org), a for-profit online educator, partners with colleges, universities and other institutions to offer courses that are free to take, but there is typically associated course work—graded via machine or by peers—and there might be a charge for an optional course-end certificate.

WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO WHAT? --- "custom" degree.- http://www.theuniversityofyou.us/other-degrees.html Testing Equivalencies/he five general examinations test what is usually taught in the first year of college and sometimes duplicate other credit students have earned. Refer to the academic policy on duplication of credit for additional explanation. CLEP results are reported on a pass/fail basis only.

The following links will be helpful for you:

MOE ABOUT CLEP

CLEP VIDEO

http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/misc/clep/CLEP_promotional_may_2014.mp4

TESC CLEP test equivalencies
TESC DSST test equivalencies
TESC StraighterLine course equivalencies

Documenting Learning with ePortfolios: A Guide for College Instructors Paperback– December 27, 2011

by Tracy Penny Light 

• ISBN-13: 978-0470636206

Preparing the Portfolio: for an Assessment of Prior Learning by Roslyn Snow 

• ISBN-13: 978-1419673849

Portfolio Development and the Assessment of Prior Learning: Perspectives, Models and Practices Paperback – September 1, 2004

by Elana Michelson  (Author), Alan Mandell (Author)

• ISBN-13: 978-1579220907
• 
  

• ISBN-13: 978-1580086530

Bears Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning Paperback –

 January 1, 2006

by Mariah P. Bear (Author), Thomas Nixon 



GETTING THE PASSING SCORE - MORE INFO SOURCE http://www.tesc.edu/academics/catalog/CLEP-College-Level-Exam-Program.cfm


Exam TitlePassing ScoreCredits
Business AdministrationACC-101-CE Financial Accounting503COS-101-CE Information Systems & Computer Applications503LAW-201-CE Introductory Business Law503MAN-301-CE Principles of Management503MAR-301-CE Principles of Marketing503
English CompositionENC-101/102-CE College Composition (General)506ENC-101-CE College Composition Modular503
HumanitiesFRE-101/102-CE French Language-Level 1506FRE-101/102-201/202-CE French Language-Level 25912GRM-101/102-CE German Language-Level 1506GRM-101/102-201/202-CE German Language-Level 26012HUM-101/102-CE Humanities (General)506LIT-205/206-CE American Literature506LIT-208/209-CE English Literature (6)506LIT-291/292-CE Analyzing and Interpreting Literature506SPA-101/102-CE Spanish Language-Level 1506SPA-101/102201/202-CE Spanish Language-Level 26312
Natural Science/MathematicsBIO-111/112-CE Biology (no lab)506CHE-111/112-CE Chemistry (no lab)506MAT-102/103-CE College Mathematics (General)506MAT-121-CE College Algebra503MAT-129-CE Pre-Calculus503MAT-231-CE Calculus503NAS-101/102-CE Natural Sciences (General)506
Social SciencesECO-111-CE Principles of Macroeconomics503ECO-112-CE Principles of Microeconomics503HIS-101-CE Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648503HIS-102-CE Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present503HIS-113-CE History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877503HIS-114-CE History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present503POS-110-CE American Government503PSY-101-CE Introductory Psychology503PSY-211-CE Human Growth and Development503PSY-230-CE Introduction to Educational Psychology503SOC-101-CE Introductory Sociology503SOS-101/102-CE Social Sciences and History (General)506