Easiest Straighterline...

[rebel100]

I would suggest a DSST Exam - Intro to Religion or Intro to Computers. Leaving the traditional system, I was beat down and not confident. Then I found this site. I studied for, took and passed the US History 1 CLEP as my first goal. It was hard. Not a good starter test but once I did it I felt like I could do anything. With the help of the specific feedback section on this site I passed the above 2 DSST exams fairly quickly. That was all me studying and achieving. It was the confidence booster I needed.

Since then I have done (and are doing) several SL courses. The problem is that I don't enjoy the process as much as testing out. SL course content that is on the test is not always in the videos, practice questions, etc. SL tests are (usually) directly from the book and unless you are a great reader who can find that one sentence very quickly, you may not do as well. I still pass them but usually not by much.

I think playing on strengths will be huge for this student. If they learn better with documentaries, practice tests, and reading all combined - I would say test out.

If they are just a good reader who remembers great detail, I would say SL would be fine.

Just my experience. Hope it helps a bit.

I started to dismiss your suggestion when you pushed DSST right off the bat, but you actually make good points.

Some more background:

I suspect there is some sort of learning disability, he spent a lot of time in remedial classes back in HS (late 1970's). I think he became convinced that he just isn't as smart as other people. One story he tells indicates being told he was stupid by a teacher/administrator and that event leading to feelings that he was letting his family down. There is no diagnoses that I'm aware of, but there are certainly deep seeded feelings of anxiety and uncertainty that cause him to be unable to move forward.

With all that said, he has managed to muscle through some remarkable things on his own. He has a job many would appreciate or even envy (solid company in a well known industry). He learned to fly and has progressed almost to the level of Commercial Pilot. Finally, he does ok for himself, self supporting and doesn't hve a :lot" but doesn't seek help from others...He's a solid citizen.

When I tell this guy "go study this book" (or whatever) for an exam, I get the deer in the headlights look. It's absolutely overwhelming for him. That's why I think something easier with specific micro goals might work better. You know, read chapter one, answer the questions at the end, expect a quiz on the material...that sort of order.