“How does my child get a diploma?” is a question new homeschooling parents often ask. The simple answer is: “You give them one.” But for the longer, more detailed answer…
Personal Graduation
As a parent, you can graduate homeschool students. Because homeschooling is considered a private school in Texas, the administrators of a homeschool (the parents) have the ability to determine requirements for graduation, just like private schools. Parents don’t have to be certified teachers to issue a legal diploma.
When your child has completed what you determine to be your school’s requirements for graduation, you may graduate them and award a diploma. THSC members have access to a free high school diploma template.
Umbrella School Diploma
If your child is enrolled in an umbrella school, he or she will likely receive a diploma from the school when the requirements are met. You should determine whether the umbrella school requires a student to be enrolled for the entire four years of high school in order to receive a diploma—or see if the school allows other options.
GED
Students may take a General Educational Development (GED) test to obtain a certificate of high school equivalency. If you are uncomfortable taking full responsibility for awarding a diploma, your student can receive a GED certificate after proving competency.
This is not a requirement or even a recommendation, but it is an option that some parents choose. Students can take the GED exam through their local school district, community college, adult education center or university.
Call the toll-free GED hotline at 800-626-9433 (800-62-MYGED) for the location of a test site in your area. Also, visit the GED testing website for more information at GED.com.
A Warning About Diploma Mills
Homeschool parents should be aware of “diploma mills” that award diplomas without proper assessment of a student’s credentials. These entities offer a degree, diploma, certificate or other official document for a fee. However, the diplomas are not legitimate.
Please know that entities who provide these diplomas are harmful and are being pursued in court. One indicator that an entity might be a diploma mill is a claim that you can obtain a diploma after a basic test with little or no coursework.
Please refer to the THSC definition of a homeschooled student and remember that homeschooling is legal in the state of Texas. You do not need to obtain a diploma from one of these organizations to validate your child’s coursework.
Graduation Ceremonies
A graduation ceremony is the fun part of students completing the homeschool journey! It is often viewed as a rite of passage into the adult world to continue education or find another pursuit.
Many local and regional support groups sponsor commencement ceremonies for parents and students. These ceremonies are similar to a traditional school’s graduation. But, there is an exciting difference—parents participate with their students. This experience has created special memories for many families across Texas.
The support group will typically have a coordinator who obtains the cap and gown, pictures and invitations, plus sets the time and location. Sometimes a group of parents does this together.
The coordinator or parents also set the program for the graduation ceremony. These ceremonies are usually intimate with 20 or fewer graduates.
After the ceremony, the reception is a special time to create priceless memories. Each graduate has a table decorated to his or her taste reflecting their journey, accomplishments and future plans.
As for the party afterward, read Celebrating the End of an Era: 21 Ideas for Homeschool Graduations.
Beyond Graduation
Another frequently asked question from new home educators is: “What happens after homeschooling?”
The options for homeschool graduates are no different than for other high school graduates. They include apprenticeship, college, employment, marriage and family, the military and trade schools.
Students should feel confident about their homeschool education because graduates have proven to be excellent higher education students, conscientious employees and successful members of the armed forces.
“How does my child get a diploma?” is a question new homeschooling parents often ask. The simple answer is: “You give them one.” But for the longer, more detailed answer…
Personal Graduation
As a parent, you can graduate homeschool students. Because homeschooling is considered a private school in Texas, the administrators of a homeschool (the parents) have the ability to determine requirements for graduation, just like private schools. Parents don’t have to be certified teachers to issue a legal diploma.
When your child has completed what you determine to be your school’s requirements for graduation, you may graduate them and award a diploma. THSC members have access to a free high school diploma template.
Umbrella School Diploma
If your child is enrolled in an umbrella school, he or she will likely receive a diploma from the school when the requirements are met. You should determine whether the umbrella school requires a student to be enrolled for the entire four years of high school in order to receive a diploma—or see if the school allows other options.
GED
Students may take a General Educational Development (GED) test to obtain a certificate of high school equivalency. If you are uncomfortable taking full responsibility for awarding a diploma, your student can receive a GED certificate after proving competency.
This is not a requirement or even a recommendation, but it is an option that some parents choose. Students can take the GED exam through their local school district, community college, adult education center or university.
Call the toll-free GED hotline at 800-626-9433 (800-62-MYGED) for the location of a test site in your area. Also, visit the GED testing website for more information at GED.com.
A Warning About Diploma Mills
Homeschool parents should be aware of “diploma mills” that award diplomas without proper assessment of a student’s credentials. These entities offer a degree, diploma, certificate or other official document for a fee. However, the diplomas are not legitimate.
Please know that entities who provide these diplomas are harmful and are being pursued in court. One indicator that an entity might be a diploma mill is a claim that you can obtain a diploma after a basic test with little or no coursework.
Please refer to the THSC definition of a homeschooled student and remember that homeschooling is legal in the state of Texas. You do not need to obtain a diploma from one of these organizations to validate your child’s coursework.
Graduation Ceremonies
A graduation ceremony is the fun part of students completing the homeschool journey! It is often viewed as a rite of passage into the adult world to continue education or find another pursuit.
Many local and regional support groups sponsor commencement ceremonies for parents and students. These ceremonies are similar to a traditional school’s graduation. But, there is an exciting difference—parents participate with their students. This experience has created special memories for many families across Texas.
The support group will typically have a coordinator who obtains the cap and gown, pictures and invitations, plus sets the time and location. Sometimes a group of parents does this together.
The coordinator or parents also set the program for the graduation ceremony. These ceremonies are usually intimate with 20 or fewer graduates.
After the ceremony, the reception is a special time to create priceless memories. Each graduate has a table decorated to his or her taste reflecting their journey, accomplishments and future plans.
As for the party afterward, read Celebrating the End of an Era: 21 Ideas for Homeschool Graduations.
Beyond Graduation
Another frequently asked question from new home educators is: “What happens after homeschooling?”
The options for homeschool graduates are no different than for other high school graduates. They include apprenticeship, college, employment, marriage and family, the military and trade schools.
Students should feel confident about their homeschool education because graduates have proven to be excellent higher education students, conscientious employees and successful members of the armed forces.
