Homeschool Transcripts

The Basic High School Transcript

This page offers a simple transcript file to get you started. My basic transcript is just that - basic. You might prefer to design your own. If you do, be sure to include these items.

List of Items to Include on the Transcript

Name of student, homeschool name, address, and phone number.

List courses -by year- such as English 1, Algebra, Biology, etc..
Dual enrollment/honors [if applicable]
Grades (either letter or numeric) List semester grades and end of year totals
GPA [grade point average]
Credits, list per semester and cumulative
Grade Scale
PSAT/SAT scores and/or ACT scores as well as any state proficiency exams [if any]
Graduation date
Parent signature and dated

In addition to the basic grades and credits, the transcript can also include these items.

Course descriptions
Extracurricular activities
Areas of your child's interests and where that he led him - accomplishments, awards, leadership, travel

Making the Transcript

Start a transcript when your child is in the 9th grade and be certain to keep a back-up copy. At the end of each year update the transcript and print a hard copy for your files. Make a back-up copy of the file as well. Keep on top of extracurricular activities and achievements.

Starting in high school, you will use course titles. Gone are the terms spelling, vocabulary, and science. Now you must use course titles such as English I, Biology, Algebra, Economics, and so forth.

GPA

This page describes how to calculate grade point average and included are charts, an example, and an XLS GPS Calculator file (requires a spreadsheet program.)

HSLDA sample transcripts here

Grade Weight

Applying weight to grades simply means that some of the work that your child does will count more than some of his other work. The reason behind weighing grades is that some work should count more because of its difficulty or its importance.

I could say that, generally, older children's grades are weighed, and this might be mostly true, or it might not be true. In our case, I started adding weight to grades in the subjects of math and science in the 6th or 7th grades. In the high school years, I weighed grades in all subjects in some form that applied to the circumstance.

Grade Weight in Parts of an Assignment or a Test

Tests

Whether the homeschool teacher makes the test or the test is from the curriculum - Usually answers that are thought out and written such as definitions, full sentence answers, and essays should always have more value than multiple-choice. The written answers take more effort and skills and they require a more distinct knowledge on the subject. Multiple-choice answers are too easy to have the same value as the written answers.

Keeping Records of Grades

Homeschool Record Keeping - Score Averages and Grades

Keeping records of scores and grade averages is a part of required homeschooling record keeping for some. For those who need or want to keep records of scores and grade averages, I have added to donnayoung.org printable grade record forms.

XLS Graders

If you have a spreadsheet program such as Excel, please be sure to also look at my XLS graders.

High School Graduation Requirements

I cannot go into detail about state requirements because states vary, and in your homeschool, it is your responsibility to research your state's requirements.

Florida State Requirements here

Transcript Creator here

Number of Required Credits

States vary on the number of required credits. The amount is generally between 19-26 credits. While looking for graduation requirements, take note of how many credits or units your state requires.

Carnegie Units "Credits" - A Rule of Thumb

"Generally" one credit is earned during a *two-semester course (*a full school year) and 1/2 credit is earned during a one-semester course. Some states determine credits differently. A sure sign that your state does this differently is by looking at the total number of required credits. If your state requires a lot of credits, say, over 30, then they are probably determining credits differently. Please, check your state requirements regarding credits.

Category / Subject Content Options

While looking at your state requirements, be certain to look for subject content. What I mean by subject content is illustrated in the following examples using the subjects Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies:

The Subject of Mathematics: (4 Carnegie Units (a.k.a. credit hour))

The Content Options: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and any one other Carnegie Unit of comparable rigor and content (e.g., Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, or AP Statistics).

The Subject of Science 3 credits

The Content Options: 1 credit in Biology, 2 credits must include laboratory experience in any or all of the following areas: earth science, life science, physical science

The Subject of Social Studies 3 credits

The Content Options: 1 credit of U.S. history, 1 credit of world history/civilization/geography, 0.5 credit in government, 0.5 credit in economics

PE Exception

Check how your state counts PE. One year of PE might be considered 1/2 credit by some states, so in such a state that requires one credit in PE - that is two years of PE.

Fitting In the Courses

When making your child's course of study for grades 9-12, first slot the required courses. After the required courses are slotted, add enough electives to meet the credit requirements. See course of study and planning for more help and forms for charting the four-year plan.

College-Bound List

Do you think your child might go to college? If so, investigate the items in this list.

The timetable for college entrance exams
Course of Study Requirements of the colleges that your child will most likely attend
Possible opportunities for extracurricular activities
If your student is college-bound, this is important
Scholarships
Dual enrollment at local colleges and their requirements
Some require nothing, others require ACT or SAT test scores

Timetable

There are certain things to do at certain times. See the timetable below and if it helps, add the items to your calendar so that you don't forget to do them.

During Your Child's 8th Grade Year

Find out your state's requirements for graduation (credits and courses)
Consider your child's gifts (aptitude)
Plan a 4-year Course of Study (see course of study)
If you haven't already, start saving for college
Explore opportunities for extracurricular activities

Ninth and Tenth Grade Years (3-4-years prior)

From here on, make certain that your child stays on track in his studies.

Investigate the colleges that your child might attend. Find their course requirements and any expectations they have from homeschooled children. Sometimes, this information can be found on the college web site.
Make sure your child's course of study is college-prep and revise curriculum if necessary
Decide which tests your child will take and set up a timetable for them
Investigate AP (advanced placement) programs and decide if this is something your child should do.
Check your local community college to see if they have dual enrollment for high schoolers. While there, check their requirements. Decide if this is something that would benefit your child

Eleventh Grade Year (2-years prior)

Review the course of study, update transcript, do community work

Check schedules for ACT/SAT tests, consider having your child take a test late in 11th grade year.
Look into AP again. It might be time to start that.
Student: Refine essay writing skills
Will your student take a PSAT? If so, this is the year.
If you haven't done this, get your teen involved in community work. College and scholarship applications want to know what good things your child has been doing outside of school work.
Tour the colleges that your student might attend. College web sites usually have either special dates for this or allow you to make an appointment.

Twelfth Grade Year (1-year prior)

If your teen needs to retake the ACT/SAT, do so as early as possible in the senior year. If student has not taken it yet, take it as early as possible in the senior year.
Start college applications
Start scholarship applications
In January of senior year, get the FAFSA application [web site: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]
Pay attention to deadlines! Everything has a deadline now, don't miss them!
Talk with the financial counselor at the college

Here are 50 great electives for homeschooled teens to consider. here