Straighterline Dissected: What to Take

I first published this story in February 2017, though some of the point distributions have changed since then, the strategy is still going strong! Since you can see every Straighterline syllabus by entering their website and clicking on the course you’re interested in, you can adopt these ideas for any class you choose!

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Not all Straighterline courses follow the same format.  In this document, we’ll explore the structure of each Straighterline course, and I’ll help you break down the differences between them.  This will help you choose courses that meet your specific need.

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Courses are generally considered “easy” and/or “fast” to complete when they:

1. Consist only of only exams, a midterm, and a final.  Those three exam types are multiple choice format, open book, and instantly graded by computer.  
2. The course point distribution allows you to accumulate enough points to pass the course before taking the final.
3. The course textbook is available digitally, which allows you to search out answers quickly during exams.  Tip: hold the Ctrl button and press the F key.  A “find” box will open, and you can search the text for any word or phrase.
   

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Courses are generally considered “hard” and/or “slow” to complete when they:

1. Have assignments that must be uploaded to Straighterline.  The assignment will be graded by a human, and can take 3-5 days.
2. Are subject to a human’s interpretation of the course instructions, which can result in a low grade.  The nature of the grading system means your grader is anonymous and you can not ask follow up questions or make revisions.  You will likely have a different person grading each of your assignments.
3. Require labs.  Science labs can stretch several days each, especially if you’re waiting for a reaction or culture to grow.  Labs also require uploading photos in every lab report.
   

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Courses are generally “more expensive” when:

1. You take a science lab.  Science labs all require lab kits purchased through the link in the course syllabus.  Lab kits can cost as much as $200. 
2. You don’t use a discount code.  There are usually at least 2 codes at any time.  I keep a log of current codes on this website. Discount Codes

A passing score for every Straighterline course is 70% unless your college says differently.

Straighterline credit comes into every college as PASS/FAIL credit unless your college says differently.  

Charter Oak State College (CT) is the only college I know of that awards letter grades for Straighterline courses.  They use a standard 90=A, 80=B, 70=C grade scale.

When the “pre-proctor” column is 700 or more, you can pass the course before taking the final exam. Note, they still require you to take it, but there’s no pressure.

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I pulled all of the following MASTER TABLE information from the Straighterline website on 2/25/2017.  I’ve kept the table for reference, but be sure to use a current syllabus when doing the math for yourself.

MASTER TABLE

STRAIGHTERLINE COURSE	CONTENT SUMMARY	PRE-PROCTOR	PROCTORED EVENT
Accounting 1	4 exams @ 150 / midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
Accounting 2	4 exams @ 150 / midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
American Government	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 200	700	Final exam 300
Anatomy & Physiology 1	16 exams @ 40 / midterm 160	800	Final exam 200
Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab	9 exams @ 42 *lowest score dropped   9 written lab reports @ 83 *lowest score dropped	1000	-0-
Anatomy & Physiology 2	13 exams @ 50 / midterm 150	800	Final exam 200
Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab	9 exams @ 42 *lowest score dropped   9 written lab reports @ 83 *lowest score dropped	1000	-0-
Biology	13 exams totaling 700	700	Final exam 300
Biology Lab	8 exams @35 / 1 homework @ 40   8 written lab reports @ 85	1000	-0-
Business Communication	14 exams @ 25 / midterm 150   3 written papers @ 100	800	Final exam 200
Business Ethics	4 exams @ 175	700	Final exam 300
Business Law	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Business Statistics	6 exams @ 125	750	Final exam 250
Calculus 1	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 150	650	Final exam 350
Calculus 2	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 150	650	Final exam 350
Chemistry	6 exams @115	690	Final exam 310
Chemistry Lab	8 exams @35 / 1 homework @ 40   8 written lab reports @ 85	1000	-0-
College Algebra	4 exams @ 125	500	Final exam 500
Criminal Justice	12 exams @ 50 / midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
Cultural Anthropology	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
English Composition 1*	15 exams totaling 610   9 written assignments totaling 400	1010	-0-
English Composition 2	17 exams totaling 510   8 written assignments totaling 500	1010	-0-
Environmental Science	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Financial Accounting	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
First Aid	4 exams @100 / midterm 200   1 demonstration 100 / CPR verification 100	800	Final exam 200
Introductory Algebra	7 exams @ 100	700	Final exam 300
Introduction to Business	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Introduction to Communication	4 exams @ 100 / midterm 100   3 speeches totaling 300	800	Final exam 200
Introduction to Nutrition	15 exams @ 40 / midterm 150	750	Final exam 250
Introduction to Philosophy	4 exams @ 75 / midterm 200	500	Final exam 500
Introduction to Programming C++	4 exams @ 50 / midterm 200   8 Program assignments @ 25	600	Final exam 400
Introduction to Religion	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 200	700	Final exam 300
Introduction to Statistics	5 exams totaling 500 points	500	Final exam 500
IT Fundamentals	19 exams totaling 700 points	700	Final exam 300
Macroeconomics*	19 exams @ 40 / midterm 120	880	Final exam 120
Managerial Accounting	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 200	700	Final exam 300
Medical Terminology	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 200	700	Final exam 300
Microbiology	6 exams @ 100 / midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
Microbiology Lab	8 exams @ 48 *lowest score dropped   8 written lab reports @ 95 *lowest score dropped	1001	-0-
Microeconomics*	24 Exams @ 30 / midterm 140	860	Final exam 140
Organizational Behavior	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Personal Finance	14 exams @ 50 / midterm 100	800	Final exam 200
Personal Fitness	10 Exams @ 70   Fitness test/Caloric Inventory/5K race @ 0	700	Final exam 300
Pharmacology 1	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Pharmacology 2	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250
Physics	4 exams @ 150/ midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
Physics Lab	9 exams @ 42 *lowest score dropped   9 written lab reports @ 83 *lowest score dropped	1000	-0-
Pre-Calculus	4 exams @ 175	700	Final exam 300
Principles of Management	4 exams @ 150 / midterm 200	800	Final exam 200
Psychology*	4 exams @ 175	700	Final exam 300
Sociology	10 exams @ 50 / midterm 150   5 discussion assignments @ 20	750	Final exam 250
Spanish 1	4 exams @ 75 / 2 written assignments @ 75   2 oral assignments @ 75 / midterm 150	750	Final exam 250
Spanish 2	4 exams @ 75 / 2 written assignments @ 75   2 oral assignments @ 75 / midterm 150	750	Final exam 250
Survey of World History	18 exams totaling 700 points	700	Final exam 300
United States History 1	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 200	700	Final exam 300
United States History 2	4 exams @ 125 / midterm 250	750	Final exam 250

NOTE: the quizzes, labs, homework, exams, and even mid-term exams are all open book.  The only closed book activity is the FINAL EXAM, and not all final exams are closed book!  In other words, your teen should be able to earn nearly perfect scores on everything leading up to the final exam.

SL courses WITHOUT webcam proctored final exams

English Composition 1
English Composition 2
Microbiology Lab
Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab
Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
Biology Lab
Chemistry Lab
Physics Lab

SL courses approved as “Advanced Placement” by College Board

English Composition 1
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Psychology

SL courses you can’t pass unless you also pass the final exam

Chemistry
Calculus 1
Calculus 2
Introduction to Programming C++
College Algebra
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Statistics

SL courses that require written essays

Business Communication
Sociology
English Composition 2
English Composition 1

SL courses that require giving speeches/video recording

Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Introduction to Communication

SL courses that require a 3rd party to verify your activity

First Aid
Personal Fitness

SL courses that require purchase of a lab kit

Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab
Biology Lab
Chemistry Lab
Microbiology Lab
Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
Physics Lab

TIP:  If you have multiple children that are earning lab credit, you only have to buy 1 lab kit.  Email Straighterline at Advisor@straighterline.com and request a “group lab form.” 

SL courses that can be “passed” before taking the final exam 

Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Introduction to Communication
First Aid
Business Communication
Accounting 1
Accounting 2
Anatomy & Physiology 1
Anatomy & Physiology 2
Criminal Justice
Microbiology
Personal Finance
Physics
Principles of Management
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Sociology
American Government
Business Law
Business Statistics
Cultural Anthropology
Environmental Science
Financial Accounting
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Nutrition
Introduction to Religion
Organizational Behavior
Pharmacology 1
Pharmacology 2
United States History 1
United States History 2
Western Civilization 1
Western Civilization 2
Personal Fitness
Psychology
Biology
Business Ethics
Introductory Algebra
IT Fundamentals
Managerial Accounting
Medical Terminology
Pre-Calculus
Survey of World History

Jennifer’s TOP 10 Suggested SL Courses

based on: fewest computer graded activities that can result in a pass before the final exam

1. Psychology – not only is this course approved as an AP course (record it as such on your teen’s high school transcript) but it only has 4 exams @ 175 points each + final. If you want, your teen can also take the AP exam and/or CLEP exam.  The content of this course aligns with both very nicely.  Note: a target college will only award 3 credits for intro psychology once, even if you take the CLEP too.
2. Business Ethics – some partner colleges consider this a philosophy or ethics course, which meets a general education requirement!  Only 4 exams and a 300 point open book final.
3.  Accounting 1 & 2 – These don’t make sense for all of my readers, but if you’re looking for math alternatives or business courses for your teen, these two courses follow the same structure and can yield a full year of math.  There are 4 exams and a midterm (all open book) totaling 800 points.  Since only 700 is needed to pass the course, you can pass long before attempting the 200 point open book exams.
4. Principles of Management- Also a less traditional option, the structure makes this class a winner.  4 exams and a midterm (all open book) totaling 800 points.  Again, easy enough to pass before attempting the 200 point open book exam. CLEP also offers an exam for this course.
5. American Government- Almost every high school student takes a government course, so this acts as a great DIY dual enrollment option.  A straight-forward structure consisting of 4 exams and a midterm (all open book) totaling 750 points.  The final is closed book, however, it’s possible to pass this course before taking the final. CLEP offers an exam for this course, however, the pass rate is very low.  SL would be a significantly easier option if deciding between the two.  *While there is an AP exam in this content area, the SL course is not an approved AP course.
6. Environmental Science– Considered a nice and easy science by most, the structure here makes this course a great option.  4 exams and a midterm (all open book) totaling 750 points followed by an open book final.  *While there is an AP exam in this content area, the SL course is not an approved AP course
7. Introduction to Religion- This course is usually considered a general education course, not a theology course, making it a good option for any degree.  The structure is simple with 4 exams and a midterm (all open book) followed by a 250 point open book final exam.  In my opinion, I thought this course covered the major religions well and without a strong bias toward one over another.
8. United States History 1 & 2 – Like Accounting, these two courses can be taken individually, but when taken together make a full sequence.  Both have the same structure: 4 exams, a midterm, and a final.  US History 1’s final is closed book, while US History 2’s final is open book.  Either way, it’s possible to pass both before taking the final.  There are CLEP exams for US 1 and US 2, but if you want to plan for an AP exam, be sure to take both classes!
9. Western Civilization 1 & 2 – Identical in structure to US History 1 & 2, but both have open-book final exams.  Like all the courses on this list, you can pass the class before taking the final exam.  There are CLEP exams for Western Civilization 1 and 2.
10. Cultural Anthropology- This course is an alternative to Sociology or Psychology as a social science option.  In some colleges, this course also meets requirements related to world cultures or diversity.  The structure is very similar to the others on this list- 4 exams and a midterm with a 250 point open book final.

If you want to learn how to Homeschool for College Credit, I recommend picking up the second edition from amazon or your local library!