Acceleration: In the academic sense, acceleration means to move forward faster than other children of the same grade do. In homeschooling, children accelerate or move forward at their own rate, which may be faster or slower than other kids may from subject to subject.
Accidental homeschoolers “is a term coined by Time4Learning (a homeschool curriculum provider) to describe large groups of homeschoolers who seem underrepresented in the public portrayal of homeschoolers.” These homeschoolers never planned to homeschool and rarely do it strictly for religious reasons.
Accommodations are tools used to assist a child with learning. Special needs and handicapped children often need accommodations such as Braille books, computers, and tape recorders.
Accountability is the state of being responsible, or liable for an outcome. Homeschooling parents take on accountability for their children’s educational success.
Accreditation is the process through which certification is rewarded. Some homeschooling programs are accredited, which means a diploma awarded through that program will, recognized on a state or national level.
Achievement tests are exams used to measure a student’s academic knowledge. Many states require homeschooler to administer achievement tests to their student, or to have them tested through testing services. The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a popular achievement test.
ACT is not an aptitude or IQ test. It is a college entrance exam used to assess high school student’s ability to complete college level work. The ACT is the college exam preferred by more four-year colleges than any other is.
Advanced placement is a program that high school students the opportunity to obtain college credit for work done in high school. This program exists in all of the United States and Canada. It commonly known as AP.
Alternative Assessment is a type of assessment where the student is questioned verbally instead of taking a test.
Aptitude tests measure the ability or tendency toward a specific type of work. The armed forces ASVAB test is an aptitude test.
Assessment tests determine what a child has learned.
At risk: A term applied to students who are at risk of educational failure.
Attendance Forms are required for homeschoolers in many states in spite of the fact that it is hard for homeschoolers to not attend their own homes. Technically, parents must record the days when “school is in session”.
Attention Deficit (Hyperactive) Disorder (ADHD OR ADD) is a disorder of inattentiveness and/ hyperactivity. This can cause problems in the classroom. A great majority of homeschoolers have seen these symptoms disappear upon homeschooling. Other homeschoolers have found this condition to be more easily controlled.
Auditory Learner is a person who learns through listening. Auditory learning is one of several different styles of learning intelligences.
Autonomous Education is self-directed education. “It assumes that children are innately rational, creative and know their own interests better than anyone else.” (http://www.home-education.org.uk) This theory is practiced in unschooling.
Find the rest of the homeschool glossary here