The Homeschooling Handbook_ From Preschool to High School - Mary Griffith [114]
This booklet provides a clear, basic introduction to testing issues, including a brief history of testing, how tests work, problems with tests, and alternative means of evaluation.
Money and Organization
If you have trouble coping with limited time and money or all too many possessions, these books can help. All are usually readily available in bookstores.
Campbell, Jeff. Speed Cleaning: Cleaning for People Who Have Much Better Things to Do. Dell, 1991.
Campbell, Jeff. Clutter Control: Putting Your Home on a Diet. Dell, 1992.
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster, 1989.
Dacyczyn, Amy. The Tightwad Gazette. Villard, 1993.
Dominguez, Joe, and Vicki Robin. Your Money or Your Life. Penguin, 1992.
Elgin, Duane. Voluntary Simplicity. Morrow, 1993.
Moran, Victoria. Shelter for the Spirit: Create Your Own Haven in a Hectic World. HarperCollins, 1997.
Tyson, Eric. Personal Finance for Dummies: A Reference for the Rest of Us. IDG, 1994.
Special Needs
Armstrong, Thomas. The Myth of the ADD Child. Dutton, 1995.
Armstrong is an ADD skeptic and argues his case effectively.
Coles, Gerald. The Learning Mystique: A Critical Look at “Learning Disabilities.” Fawcett, 1987.
This thorough review of the scientific evidence for learning disabilities is from a skeptic who prefers the concept of learning “differences.” If you’re doubtful about your child’s diagnosis, you may have good reason, according to Coles.
Hallowell, Edward, and John Ratey. Driven to Distraction. Pantheon, 1994.
This is one of the most popular of the dozens of ADD books now in print, discussing ADD in both children and adults.
Hartmann, Thom. Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception. Underwood, 1993.
Hartmann theorizes that ADD is not a disease but an evolutionary adaptation, and ADD patients are “hunters in a farmers’ world.”
Sheffer, Susannah, ed. Everyone Is Able: Exploding the Myth of Learning Disabilities. Holt, 1987.
This booklet from Growing Without Schooling includes accounts of dealing with learning disabilities and finding the ways to help kids learn best. Includes information on interpreting and challenging LD jargon.
College Admissions and Life After Homeschooling
Bear, John B., and Mariah P. Bear. Bears’ Guide to Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally. C & B, 1995.
This is the basic reference for earning college and graduate (even legal and medical) degrees through correspondence study, life experience credit, examination, and other nontraditional means. It contains good advice on avoiding diploma mills, judging the worth of programs, and a huge listing of institutions offering such programs.
Cohen, Cafi. And What about College? How Homeschooling Leads to Admissions to the Best Colleges and Universities. Holt, 1997.
Cohen, whose homeschooled son was accepted to the Air Force Academy, covers documenting a homeschool education, researching and choosing colleges, and preparing the application package.
Fogler, Michael. Un-Jobbing: The Adult Liberation Handbook. Free Choice, 1997.
Fogler offers ideas for making a life instead of merely making a living.
Gelner, Judy. College Admissions: A Guide for Homeschoolers. Poppyseed, 1988.
Gelner takes you through the admissions process from the homeschooler’s viewpoint, covering tests, applications, and finding financial aid.
Gross, Ronald. The Independent Scholar’s Handbook. Ten Speed, 1982.
This book provides guidance and advice for becoming expert in any field by working independently of classes and institutions.
Hayes, Charles D. Proving You’re Qualified: Strategies for Competent People without Degrees. Autodidactic, 1995.
Proving You’re Qualified looks at our society’s reliance on formal credentials and gives advice on getting your skills and competence recognized even when you don’t have an official diploma or degree. It’s a terrific companion to Bears’ Guide.
Kohl, Herbert. The Question Is College: Guiding Your Child to the Right Choices after High School. Addison-Wesley, 1998.
Kohl’s 1989 classic is now back in print.
Robinson,