CREDIT BASICS
Most states assign 1 credit to a two-semester (1 year) high school course. A one-semester course is assigned 1/2 credit. Some states use a different value system. Students typically take 5 – 7 courses a year which amounts to 5 – 7 credits a year. The number of credits required to graduate varies from state to state. Total credits can range from 13 – 24 credits. The Education System of the States has a table comparing the credit requirements for each state. Before you target a credit goal, check to see if your state requires homeschools to follow the state requirements. Not all states require homeschools to do so.
TEXTBOOK METHOD
Credits can be determined using a textbook that has been designed for one or two semesters. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) recommends that 75-80% of a textbook should be completed to receive the credit.
LOGGING IN METHOD
If you are designing your own course by pulling together multiple resources, logging-in study hours is the best way to determine credits. The hours generally take into account instruction time and the time the student spends completing course work outside of class. Below are the hours recommended for various types of courses.
HOURS FOR CORE SUBJECTS
Core subjects include math, English, history, science, and foreign language. These courses require 150 hours (5 hours a week x 30 weeks). A lab science class requires an extra 30 hours of lab time, so a science course with a lab would require a total of 180 hours for the year.
HOURS FOR ELECTIVE COURSES
Elective courses like PE, art, and music require 120 hours (4 hours a week x 30 weeks).
HOURS FOR HONORS AND AP COURSES
Honors courses require 240 – 300 hours (8-10 hours a week x 30 weeks) while AP courses require 300 – 450 hours (10-15 hours a week x 30 weeks).
COLLEGE CREDIT
Another way to gain high school credit is through college level exams (AP, CLEP, Dantes) or through college courses. A typical one semester college course is worth 3 college credits. A 3-credit college course converts to 1 high school credit. A typical CLEP exam is worth 3 college credits so that amounts to 1 high school credit. For ideas on how to document CLEP credits on the high school transcript read my post CLEP Credit on the High School Transcript. For information on how a college course can substitute for a high school course read Double-Dipping Credits.
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My Experience with CLEPs. I have coached my kids and their friends through 16 different CLEP exams over a period of 9 years. Collectively, they have passed 39 CLEP exams and earned over 159 college credits. I’m still coaching my younger son through his CLEP journey. My high school graduates have received full-ride merit scholarships.