From PSLE to University

[metz]

Hi 2ppaamm,


Like the rest, a big thanks for sharing!

Just one question, is there any age limit or other minimum requirements for taking the diploma courses? Or is the child allowed to enrol for the courses once he/she passes the entry tests?

Since it’s modular based and no time constraint, I am just wondering if it is possible to start the kids younger, say at primary school level?

Pardon my asking cos there is a chance my kids might not stay in the local education system. So, I’m interested in looking out for all possibilities.

Many thanks.

[JonC]

Wow.


Great to read such an interesting article.

Anyway, I personally do not like Singapore’s education system, we are producing rebots, not students.

[fairydust3]

JonC:

Wow.


Great to read such an interesting article.

Anyway, I personally do not like Singapore's education system, we are producing rebots, not students.

I completely agree. And our students may do well academically, but they are, to put it bluntly, absolutely clueless when it comes to general knowledge, world issues and application of what we are taught.

We study; we do not learn - and I find that rather sad..

[tacit]

2ppaamm:

A lot of bodies out there that monitors. The Americas have at least 4 of them. Surf the net, look for accredited high school programs. You will come across many, many.

The ones Singaporeans are used to include: EPGY (this is Stanford University's program) - I have some experience with them - they very proud leh. But that's a very recognized program.

Another very well known program is John Hopkins. They conduct tests to identify early high school students frequently. Check out all the high school programs conducted by the universities (also many - I can think of Maryland and Indiana), they are all accredited and recognized.

There are also those run commercially. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-degrees/online-high-school-courses.htm Don't write them off simply because they are commercially run.

One more thing, there are some you can attend a graduation, some without a gown graduation. See what your kids like. Also check the age criteria to start. Some states do not allow children below 14 to start a high school program. Write to these schools and check all these out. Choose one relevant to your child.

There may be tests they need to take. It is almost safe to say that if your child score A or A* for Math at PSLE, they will breeze through the tests. But note the gifted programs, these are hard to ace.

Most of these programs are also expensive, definitely more than your school sup fees. So calculate carefully here, and plan accordingly. They are still cheaper than international schools, and all your years of books and tuition add up!

Hope this helps!

2ppaamm, thank you for answering my questions Yes, I've heard of EPGY before. We really appreciate your sharing.

[micko07]

2ppaamm:

No, just do the diploma during hols, since they are modular. Did you do any course to prepare for the SAT? There are some you can take on the net. Why are you taking the SAT if you are taking A or IB? Going to a American U? They also recognize both of these. Or are you super kiasu? :lol: Don't be lah.

Nope. Self-studying my way through (not very effective because I lack the discipline lol)

Haha thinking about it! American Unis don't recognize A levels as an alternative to SATs, unforunately. It's mandatory to take SAT I + SAT IIs or ACT are nearly all universities. Annoying but what to do. I wouldn't take the test if I didn't have to! (Waste money + time)

Oh well, I'm far too old for the diploma programme. Better stick it out for one more year and hope to do well for A levels!

Thanks for the sharing! :udawoman:

[2ppaamm]

fairydust3:

JonC:

Wow.


Great to read such an interesting article.

Anyway, I personally do not like Singapore's education system, we are producing rebots, not students.

I completely agree. And our students may do well academically, but they are, to put it bluntly, absolutely clueless when it comes to general knowledge, world issues and application of what we are taught.

We study; we do not learn - and I find that rather sad..

Ya lor. In my job, I work with undergraduates from different countries. It is not the ones who score As through the Singapore system pipeline that survive well in the U. My son, when he was 14 then, gave me a good 15 minutes lecture while I was driving him one day. He told me the difference between learning and studying. He said he loves to learn but he hates studying. Sadly, our system believes everyone should study and study. How many enjoy the studying, but everyone loves to learn - that's what he told me?

Yep, we also do not need robots. When the boss says \"jump\" their response is \"how high?\". Typical and need to change. Let's give our children more. Let's give them the love for learning and a head on their shoulders instead of just following instructions and have that 'find-out-what-teacher-want-and-give-so-to-score'. Let them do what they love, and not what we parents or the school or the government want.

To change the next generation, we need to start with our kids. We don't need children who ace the TMSS* that the MOE boasts about. Up till 14, we are great. But we don't need just great primary and secondary schools, we need great universities that will produce great minds and Nobel prize winners. Testimony: when will we stop sending our best brains overseas to be trained?

We don't need age group medalists at international sports events, we need Olympic champions. We need people with passion who will steer our world, not just followers. Right now, our best sports people retire at 'a ripe old age of 19'!!! Others start at 22! We don't need to burn them out at a young age so that they lose all of their passion and zest for something they used to love, in exchange for a kiasu system, that sees us stumbling on each other.

*International comparison of kids ability across different countries, up to 14, Singaporean kids will ace the Maths and Science. After that? Silence...

Ha ha, here I go again with my rumbling...

[2ppaamm]

micko07:

Nope. Self-studying my way through (not very effective because I lack the discipline lol)

Haha thinking about it! American Unis don't recognize A levels as an alternative to SATs, unforunately. It's mandatory to take SAT I + SAT IIs or ACT are nearly all universities. Annoying but what to do. I wouldn't take the test if I didn't have to! (Waste money + time)

Oh well, I'm far too old for the diploma programme. Better stick it out for one more year and hope to do well for A levels!

Thanks for the sharing! :udawoman:

If you are doing the SAT to get into the American Us, then you don't really need to do the HSD, as long as you have proof of a 12-year study program. For this, even your mum's endorsement can do, if you were homeschooled. Just study hard for the SAT. There are a lot of good preparation sites for SAT, follow them closely. If you prepare well, you will definitely ace that. Can almost guarantee that. Try again if you don't do well. SAT is one test you can repeatedly take. The next test is in Feb. There are lots of tricks you can learn in 100 days, just like any other exams... ha ha... beats having to study for 2 years for A levels, hor? :lol:

[2ppaamm]

tacit:

Yes, I've heard of EPGY before. We really appreciate your sharing.

O, I'm talking about the EPGY High School program here, not the ad hoc programs for the gifted youth that they conduct. Remember the difference. The former will get you a Diploma, the latter doesn't. Tread carefully.

[mathsparks]

Hi 2ppaamm,


Thank you so much for sharing. Your children are very fortunate to have wise parents like you to guide them.

But it looks a little too late for my son, who has spent the last 3 months relaxing when he should be pursuing his diploma. Honestly, I feel like I've short-changed him, due to my ignorance on alternatives. He's an intelligent and independent child, scoring higher than his ge cohort average and didnt slog either. So, I really wished that you'd shared this with us much earlier.

And with secondary school starting next week, his holidays would also be jam packed with activities. Though its too late to benefit us, I really hope parents out there will sit up and do the research for their kids.

btw, your honest opinion, please. If parents have no connections with principals and what-nots, plus dont have more than 20k to spare for that all impt diploma and whatever tests reqd before reaching the U, is this path still possible?

[2ppaamm]

chamonix:

Hi 2ppaamm,


Like the rest, a big thanks for sharing!

Just one question, is there any age limit or other minimum requirements for taking the diploma courses? Or is the child allowed to enrol for the courses once he/she passes the entry tests?

Since it's modular based and no time constraint, I am just wondering if it is possible to start the kids younger, say at primary school level?

Pardon my asking cos there is a chance my kids might not stay in the local education system. So, I'm interested in looking out for all possibilities.

Many thanks.

Hi Chamonix,

Depending on where you get your program from, some high schools do have an age limit, while others don't, and are merit-based solely. But honestly, I feel that starting a high school program meant for a 15 year old (Sec 3) at too young an age may not be the best for the kids.

For example, the literature syllables need some maturity and enough exposure to GK. I read all the literature books in my son's program, and some of them are pretty 'cheem', they deal with Civil Disobedience for example. This writer's beliefs and how he went to jail because his beliefs clash with the governments (a bit like the Jehovah Witness going to jail because they refuse to hold arms in Singapore). I'm just wondering how a 10-year-old or 11-year-old digest that. :?

Maybe my kids are more immature or I'm more protective? :roll:

Prior to secondary, I still like our Singapore syllables for Maths(minus all the tuition and all the kiasu teachers with their supplementary classes after school, I signed my kids out of all those.) Can't say the same for English and Science, though, but guai guai followed. - No time to research, lah. Having said that, my oldest kid started using EPGY at P5. He was getting poor marks in Maths in school (because he has only 1 step to all the questions, correct answers but no marks because he has no steps), so I used that to teach him algebra, he used algebra and subsequently topped the school in the prelims (99.5/100) and A* in PSLE. Ha ha, so much for the model method they teach - bull shit, they all fall back to algebra in the end! (Similar results for all my kids who went through PSLE.) Modeling can only go so far.

If you are homeschooling your kid, think about using the Maths syllables also, the Americans are using our Maths program. Add a week of Algebra to make it complete. Check this out. http://www.singaporemath.com/ :rahrah: