Good Recordkeeping is an Essential Part of the Educational Process
It is important to thoroughly document the home education experience. Homeschooling records may be required for district regulations, college entrance, and employment.
Homeschool records are documented proof of a student’s education, achievements, and learning experiences. Because homeschooled children are often faced with skepticism, it is important to thoroughly document the home education experience. So it is possible to use paper writing help to get all records set. They should demonstrate that the child has received an adequate education. It is the responsibility of the homeschooling parent to create and maintain these important documents.
Benefits of Maintaining Homeschooling Records
Homeschool records may be needed to comply with state laws concerning homeschooling. They are an important presentation if a legal situation should ever occur concerning the homeschooled child or the homeschooling in general. Recordkeeping is adequate proof that the homeschooling parents are providing the child with an appropriate education.
School records also prove beneficial should the school district misplace educational material submitted to them by the parents. In some cases when this occurs, the district may threaten the parent with educational neglect. Having a copy of education records readily available will help to quickly eliminate further accusations and, perhaps, even circumvent a court case.
Records of a child’s schoolwork should be kept yearly as well as permanently, advises Chairman Mike Farris of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (The Homeschool Court Report, 2009). Through yearly records, parents can gauge the progress of the child and determine if any educational changes are needed for the following year. Yearly reports include grades of lessons, test scores, field trips, and extra-curricular activities. Much of the material for this type of report does not have to be kept in the student's permanent file. Permanent records include quarterly reports (report cards), standardized test results, and medical documentation.
Documentation of the high school years is particularly important. High school transcripts are usually required for entrance to most colleges. They are even required by military recruiters and some employers. The high school transcript can more easily be prepared if adequate educational records have been maintained during the child’s high school years. As soon as the child begins high school work, official documentation of material should begin. Educational records may also be required to obtain scholarships.
Developing a Successful Recordkeeping System
A good recordkeeping system should be simple enough to maintain with little effort regularly. Some systems simply consist of a file folder containing the school information of each child as an essay writer, homework and assignment doer. A notebook designated for grades and other educational recordings can work as well. Some parents purchase educational software to keep all school material in a computer file. Still, others employ the help of an outside organization. Most importantly, the chosen system should help the parent to maintain organized, professional records that can be produced quickly if needed.
Homeschool Resources for Recordkeeping
The following books contain excellent information about homeschooling and homeschooling recordkeeping:
What Your Child Needs to Know When by Robin Sampson [Heart of Wisdom, 2001]
The Checklist by Cindy Downes [ C.A.T., Ink, 2005]
Homeschooling High School: Planning for College Admissions by Jeanne Gowen Dennis [Emerald Books, 2004]
A Record of the Learning Lifestyle by Charlene Notgrass [Notgrass Company, 2001]
Validate Home Learning Through an Efficient Homeschool Recordkeeping System
Homeschooling parents should take the necessary steps to ensure that their homeschooling endeavor is accepted on a professional level. The best way to accomplish this is to keep a validated record of the child's learning experience. School districts, colleges, and future employers may all request the opportunity to view these records.
Homeschool recordkeeping does not have to be complicated. The chosen method should be simple enough to keep up with on a daily or weekly basis and extensive enough to include major educational information. High school students have the most to lose if proper documentation of schoolwork is not in place. It certainly would be a terrible situation if a child could not move forward in life as he or she would desire due to the lack of a proper educational record. This and many other heartbreaking pitfalls can be avoided if the homeschooling parent would take the time to set up and maintain an efficient recordkeeping system.