Wow, I didn't realize that there were additional posts to this thread.
@TeachingMyToddlers: Thanks so much for posting the link to the chapman's! Perfect :-)
@Jenene: I think she got the basics taken care of and then, yes, through college the children specialized. Remember, though, that the gen ed requirements in college are basically just a repeat of high school, and with accelerated/gifted children, repetition can be quite frustrating and unnecessary. Even still, learning doesn't quit just because someone gets a degree. An important thing is to learn how to learn, and I think her kids got that, as well as a broad general education. Not only that, even in the US, the array of education opportunities is sooooo large for high schoolers. There are public schools, private schools, charter schools, prep schools, vocational schools, STEM schools, business/entrepreneurial schools, home schools, ... .
@Omnipedia: there are several famous accelerated children who get into stanford, yale, harvard, and more ... and this is a practice that has been going on for a very, very long time. The most recent that comes to mind, though, is David Dalrymple who attended MIT graduate school by age 14. I just started chatting with his mom, so I'll let you guys know how that goes. But no, I don't believe that acceleration means that you don't get into 'brand name' schools. Even still, so far as I can tell, most people care that you got a degree and not so much where you got it from. I think the days of networking due to your alma mater are paving way to the days of proving what you've got. And if you're young enough to get your degree through acceleration, then that means you have that many more years to add experience under your belt to prove your qualifications, career-wise. Plenty of doctors, judges, lawyers, and other professionals are still all of those things without attending top schools. Yes, there may be more obstacles to overcome by doing it young, but you're still that much more ahead of the pack. Worst case scenario, you just have to wait around and experience life (volunteer, join the peace corps, get a teaching degree and travel teaching english in other countries) while your age catches you up to qualify for something. Still, I believe that where there's a will, there's a way; and as more children are accelerated, more opportunities will become available. I think you nailed it, though, when you said that you guys have to figure out what your son wants to do. Best of luck with your choices :-) And PS - I love this community too!
@Anyone: RE Online courses ... I've been thinking about this a lot for my kids, having had experience with many online courses myself. The conclusion for me is that in order to give them a solid education, they can do online to get the credit, but I would still have to fill it in for them. There's just so much that is missed by not having a person actually interacting live and in person. That said, some classes did a wonderful job, but many of my online classes I did well in because of my past experiences, having learned it in school. I can't imagine having done well, or even having learned the material properly online (for many, but not all of the classes), if it had been my first exposure to the material.
@Mandabplus3: Thanks for that link. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it after you read it. Also, congrats on looking into accelerated learning; I can't wait to find out how all of that goes for you and the family!
@PokerDad: so agree
the thought of an emancipated early learner seems quite impossible ... unless someone else were helping that child out ... but still, then they'd be guiding them, still, through the college years.
I'm excited to see you all thinking about acceleration now. I think that for so many children it really is the way to go, but that we're so inculcated by the current pattern of education that it makes it hard for many parents to make it happen with the current resources available, let alone think outside the box to try and make it a reality.
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