The “A” Word

by Kendall Watkins

accreditation

Accreditation in the homeschool community is often misunderstood and sometimes controversial. Many families opt to have their student’s transcript accredited. Many do not. Still, some families choose accreditation for one student and not another. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to accreditation. Each family must evaluate its own philosophical, practical, and financial considerations when deciding whether or not to go the accredited route. There are no wrong or right decisions.

Many factors go into making this personal decision. Consider the following when making your choice:

The Georgia Home Study Law does not require accreditation.
All colleges and universities in both the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia accept unaccredited transcripts. Note: Evaluation of applications of unaccredited homeschool students may differ from that of accredited students. For example, standardized test scores may be weighted more heavily than GPA. Inquire.
Unaccredited homeschool students are eligible for HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships as entering freshman, not retroactively as was the case in years past.
Record keeping is required for both accredited and unaccredited transcripts.
The vast majority of private Georgia and out-of-state colleges and universities accept unaccredited transcripts.

In addition to the above considerations, peruse several college websites to determine whether accreditation would be of any practical benefit to your student. Many college websites contain pages dedicated specifically to homeschool applicants. In the event information that will help you make an informed decision is unavailable, speak with an admissions representative.

If you need help determining how to evaluate whether you want your student to have an unaccredited or accredited transcript, or need help creating a transcript for your student(s), contact Kendall Watkins at kendallwood@comcast.net .

Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice and may not be relied upon as such. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.