Resource: College Without Compromise: An Encouraging Guide to Starting Early, Finishing Economically, and Protecting Your Homeschool Vision

Publisher: Homeschool Sampler Publishing, 124 W. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis (Kirkwood), MO 63122

Authors: Scott and Kris Wightman

Grade level: older teenagers thinking about college and their parents

Website: www.homeschoolsampler.com

Telephone: (314) 909-9220

Retail price: $16.00

Reviewed by: Wayne S. Walker

     Scott and Kris Wightman are the homeschooling parents of eight children and with their children have also operated a local homeschooling bookstore in the St. Louis, MO, area since 2002. Scott has a Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, is an elder in their local church, and maintains a career in business. Kris has homeschooled all of their children from the beginning, going back to 1989. The Wightmans have been regular speakers on the topic of college alternatives (I have heard them discuss it in seminars on several occasions), and now they have put together the results of their research in this fascinating and very encouraging book, which is endorsed by several homeschool leaders, such as Dr. R. C. Sproul Jr., Director of the Highlands Study Center; Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries; and James McDonald, Publisher of Family Reformation Magazine. Homeschooling parents whose children are getting ready for their college years should find the material in this book extremely helpful.

     Scott and Kris explain their aim. "Has your homeschooling family been wondering what to do about college? Will you be able to afford it? Is there hope that your child might avoid today's unprotected, and often impure, higher education environment? Is there anything that can be done while your child is still high school age to begin accumulating college credits? College Without Compromise describes in detail a wonderful new approach to the homeschool high school years that then flow seamlessly to a condensed and affordable college degree, fitting beautifully into the home education lifestyle you desire to protect. With this 'independent study' method, there is no need to worry about the tough high school courses, transcripts, placement tests, college dorms, liberal professors, and the tremdendous financial burden of a traditional path. Our loving God continues to open doors for His children!"

      The book, written in eighteen chapters divided into five sections, begins by discussing the need for developing our children's character with faith, purity, and servanthood as well as a good work ethic, then talks about preparing our children for single-income households where the wife is a well-equipped helpmeet. So there is more to this book than just college preparation. Next, it explains how parents and their children can decide whether college is right for their family, and if they decide it is, how students can obtain a degree without compromising their convictions or being exposed to the kind of evil that is prevalent on so many college campuses, by using such means as credit by examination--including the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, dual enrollment, distance learning, and other similar methods. Some of their older children have actually done many of these things.

     What I like about the book is that it lays out the possibilities in an extremely easy-to-understand and user-friendly way that will save parents and students a lot of time and effort in doing their research. However, it does not say, "This is the way you have to do things," but offers suggestions that each family can take and apply to its own situation to meet its needs. There is even a chapter on blending independent and traditional approaches. Yet, most importantly, the theme of balancing going to college with raising godly children is ever emphasized. The book closes with a chapter under the heading "Multigenerational Faithfulness" entitled "Resetting What Is Normal." Also, there is an appendix consisting of "A Father's Resolutions" by Cotton Mather. Today there is simply no reason why the benefits that we have found in homeschooling cannot be continued on into the college years!