Homeschooling can be a great option for parents looking to offer their children a different type of education or adapt the curriculum to their kid’s individual values and interests. When a parent decides to homeschool their kids, they take on the responsibility of keeping records detailed enough to show how the student has achieved the basic curricular goals.
Keeping records is the best way to maintain the legal requirements of homeschooling and provide documentation to show the progress of the student. Here are 15 questions to help parents get started understanding the best way to keep records of their children’s homeschooling learning.
1. What legal requirements must I follow?
State homeschooling laws can vary from state to state, so it is important for parents to understand each state’s specific regulations and age specific education requirements for homeschooled students. Parents should check the regulations for their state to determine the record keeping requirements so that homeschoolers are not in violation of regulations. Depending on the state requirements, the records may need to show standardized test and evaluation results, list educational materials and activities, yearly calendar of classes and field trips, and transcripts of homeschool credits earned.
2. What records should I keep?
Parents should keep a record of all the activities and materials used during homeschooling. This includes keeping track of textbooks being used, field trips taken, details of a lesson plans, and student work which includes tests, quizzes, and class assignments or projects.
This documentation can also include records of special activities and books read privately as part of the homeschool curriculum. It also helps to keep updated summaries and evaluations of the child’s progress on a regular basis.
3. How should I store my records?
Parents can keep records in a binder or notebook where they can easily document details such as activity descriptions, lesson plans, class assignments, syllabi, and projects. Records can also be kept electronically in word processing documents although it is best to keep physical copies in the event that electronic documents are compromised.
4. Is there any special software that can be helpful?
There are a variety of online tools available to help parents track their student performance and achievements. Parents can use a program such as Homeschool Tracker to keep track of grades, class information, and learning activities, or use an app such as Homeschooling by Khan(Academy) to keep track of curriculum progression and exam performance.
5. What can I do to ensure that I am meeting state regulations?
Parents should get familiar with the state regulations for their specific location, including required areas of education and the total number of hours of instruction needed. Additionally, parents should keep records of achievement (including classes taken, books read, and papers written), tests and evaluations, as well as progress logs and portfolios of completed work.
6. How often should I keep records?
Parents will need to keep track of the homeschooling activities on a regular basis such as at the end of each semester or quarter. Parents should also plan to update the information fed into their tracking software or document collection on a regular basis.
7. Are there any resources available to help?
There are many online resources available that can provide information and advice to parents looking to keep track of their homeschooler. Resources such as The Homeschoolers Handbook, The Homeschooler’s Guide to Record Keeping, or Homeschool Record Keeping Simplified can provide helpful information and support for families hoping to stay organized and compliant.
8. What records should I maintain for each subject?
Parents should keep records for each subject showing the topics covered, number of hours dedicated to instruction, tests and grades, any project completed and the date, and whether the subject is completed. For each course, parents should be able to provide details including the title of the course, number of credits earned, instructor name and contact information, dates taught, type of work completed, selection of texts and materials used, and grades earned.
9. How should I track my student’s progress?
Tracking progress helps make sure that the student is getting a well-rounded education and that they are on track to meet the state requirements. Parents can use tracking software to make sure the student is keeping up with the curriculum and that grades, tests scores, and other achievements are recorded.
10. How do I keep track of hours spent homeschooling?
When homeschooling, it is important to track the total number of hours spent homeschooling each week, month, or academic year. Parents can use tracking software to tally the hours, or simply keep a written record of the total hours each week.
11. What records should I keep for testing and evaluation?
It is important for parents to keep records of the tests and evaluations their child takes during homeschooling. Keeping records of these tests and evaluations can help indicate student progress and also help track the student’s progress for state reporting and evaluation purposes. The records should include details on the date taken, type of test, and the results.
12. How do I record attendance?
When homeschooling, parents are responsible for keeping track of student attendance. Parents should keep attendance records that include the dates attended, the classes and topics covered, books used, projects and activities completed, and the number of hours spent each day.
13. Is it important to do yearly assessments?
It is important for parents to assess the student’s progress on a regular basis in order to show that they are working towards completing the curriculum and meeting the state requirements. Parents should review student tests, assessments, and projects, and record the results in the student’s portfolio in order to be prepared for questions from the state.
14. How do I record field trips and extracurricular activities?
Whether it’s a field trip to a museum, volunteering for at a local non-profit, or a visit to a local university, it is important to keep records of extracurricular activities and include them in your homeschool records. Parents should make sure to document the activity and include details such as the title of the activity, the date, and how the activity helped the student in their education.
15. Do I need to submit records to the state?
Parents are required to submit records of their homeschool progress to the state. Depending on the state regulations, homeschoolers may need to submit attendance logs, curriculum information, and tests and evaluations to the local school district or other state agencies.
Conclusion
Parents who choose to homeschool their children must understand the legal requirements, and keep detailed records of their homeschooling activities to ensure that the child is properly educated and that their homeschooling is meeting state requirements. By tracking attendance, subject activities, tests and evaluations, and extracurricular activities, parents should be able to keep thorough records that demonstrate their child’s progress and achievements according to state standards.
Learning the best way to store and maintain records will help make the homeschooling process easier and more organized.