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Theta Alpha ChapterAlbuquerque |
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 2011-2012 Inductees 1. Chapter Requirements and Goals: Theta Alpha Chapter seeks to develop integrity in students through four key areas: leadership, community service, networking, and scholarship. As a chapter of the national organization, our applicants must achieve the required score on one of the nationally recognized tests (see below) AND a 3.5 grade point average on a four-point scale. A homeschooling transcript must accompany the application. And, in accordance with Eta Sigma Alpha requirements, only those students who meet the HSLDA definition of a homeschooler are eligible for ESA membership. This rule states that a student must complete 51% of his/her studies at home under the direct supervision of the parent. Co-op programs, group classes, and even community college courses are acceptable as long as the 51% rule is followed. Students may join ESA as early as the 6th grade, and those who join in the 6th-8th grades will be inducted as Junior NHS members. However, these students must reapply for Senior NHS when they enter the 9th grade. High school students MUST apply for membership PRIOR to June 30th of their junior year. An annual membership fee of $10 is assessed to cover the cost of service project expenses, annual dues to the national organization, copying, mailings, and certificates. 2. Meeting Requirements: Quarterly meetings will be announced by the student officers. Students should make every effort to participate in these meetings in order to contribute to the operation of the chapter. The option of membership in the Omega chapter, through Eta Sigma Alpha, exists for those students who wish to join ESA but live too far away from the Theta Alpha chapter to fully participate in chapter activities. 3. History of Eta Sigma Alpha: Eta Sigma Alpha is the first honor society established exclusively for homeschooled students. Founded in 1999 by Joanne E. Juren, M.Ed., Executive Director of the Home Education Partnership of Texas, Inc., it has grown into a national organization. As a former public school administrator, Juren contacted the National Honor Society with the intent of forming a home school chapter for her sons and others in a local support group in 1997. When told that NHS did not accept homeschooled students, Juren decided to start a new honor society for homeschoolers. Over the next two years, the idea for Eta Sigma Alpha was refined and the “Alpha” chapter was started in 1999. Eta, the Greek letter that is shaped like an “h” and Sigma, the letter for “s” were chosen, along with Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, to create the name of Eta Sigma Alpha, which means the “first home school” honor society (from the Eta Sigma Alpha website). 4. Community Service: Each member must complete an annual minimum of 25 hours of community service to remain in good standing. Opportunities for group project service dates are created by the Vice President in conjunction with the Executive Committee, and members are required to participate in two (2) group community service projects per year, even if he/she has completed or doesn’t need the his/her service hours. All students must submit a record of their community service hours to the Vice President; seniors should have at least 90% of their hours completed by the end of February so the chapter director can turn their names into the CAPE graduation committee as members in good standing. All other members must have their hours submitted by the end of April. The chapter by-laws further explain what activities constitute community service. 5. National Testing: Testing is required to establish a standard in a non-standard educational environment, the home. National testing is an accepted method of measuring the home schooled student’s achievement against national and standardized norms. A candidate for Senior NHS must take one of the nationally recognized standardized achievement tests and attain the minimum required scores: PSAT – 180; SAT-1800; ACT- 26 (critical reading + math + writing); OR the candidate must score at least a 90% on the composite (complete) battery on the Iowa, Stanford, or California Achievement Tests. All tests must be administered in a group setting by someone other than the parent; parent-administered tests are NOT accepted under any circumstances. For the Junior Honor Society, a candidate (6th -8th grades) must score a 90% on the composite battery on the Iowa, Stanford or California test, again administered in a group setting and not administered by the student’s parent. Test scores should not be more than 1 year old. 6. Graduation: Members of the Theta Alpha Chapter are authorized to wear the ESA National Home School Honor Society shawl during their graduation ceremony. Only chapter officers, past and present, are authorized to wear the gold cord. This may be purchased from the ESA Bookstore. 7. Information: For further information on membership requirements or chapter activities, please contact Carole Parma, Theta Alpha Chapter Director/Sponsor, at ckhp123@hotmail.com. |
| Chapter Director: Carole Parma - Webmaster: Sarah Belchak | |