Transcript help

[LeAnna]

As we are approaching 8th grade with one of our kids, I'm thinking about transcripts, and I have no clue. I would love it if any of you ladies with olders could show me what you use for this, and how to word things, and anything extra that you add. Do you add all the books they've read, and how? I would love to see some examples of your transcripts and record keeping for HOD.

Thank you!

[StephanieU]

I would see what is common for your state and any colleges your kids might consider. Some times you only have to list the credits. Only add the curriculum/books if they ask for it. A transcript is often like a resume- you want it straight forward and simple. You can always include a second document with specifics if asked.

[LynnH]

Transcripts are short and sweet and usually just contain classes, credit amount and grades. I included ACT scores and a list of volunteer activities at the bottom, but that was it. If a school requests course descriptions or a reading list you put those on separate sheets, not on the transcript. There are several good books out there for homeschoolers on how to make a transcript. I have one Carrie recommended at one point, but I can't think of the title right now. It might be Transcripts Made Easy by Janice Campbell. Maybe someone else can clarify that. I know colleges like Indiana Wesleyan and Cedarville have examples of what they want a homeschool transcript to look like.

[mrsrandolph]

HSLDA has an inexpensive service for this in their store.

[LeAnna]

Thank you! Ill look into that.

[Tiffini]

Hi, LeAnna! I also used HSLDA's high school transcript template and it looks very nice. I used Janice Campbell's book that Carrie recommends as well for easy help. For each child in high school, I use a 3 ring binder to organize all their things through the high school years. I print out a blank transcript and just handwrite the classes and grades as we go along each year. I also do it on the computer and just save it as we go. I also printed out a blank four year plan sheet and just put into each year of school the classes that I wanted my dd to have so that all the bases were covered. They are easily covered with HOD's plans, so that was easy.

In that binder, I also put tabs with one year of high school written on each tab - 9th through 12th grades. I print out and keep a few of the best writing samples behind each tab. I also include class descriptions which I complete at the end of each year of high school. This is super easy since Carrie includes these in her manuals! Along with that, simply type up a reading list with titles and authors for each year and include that behind the tab. If you do this each year as you go along, you will be in great shape for college apps or anything else you need records for.

The process can be very simple and very little headache if you keep up with it as you go along. I wrote a previous post about the records I compiled to send to colleges for scholarship consideration. With just using these simple things I mentioned above, it brought my dd to their attention very favorably. Because I kept up with it as I went along, the process was not too overwhelming when I decided to send those records to a few colleges. You are in great shape since you are thinking of this in 8th grade! Do not be scared or overwhelmed. You can do this - and do it fairly easily! Carrie provides the class descriptions for you. The transcript is fairly straightforward. Reading lists are easy to keep up! So be encouraged as you face high school! You really begin seeing the fruit of your years of hard work at this time.

[Mumkins]

I intend to have a 1 page document listing the courses, grade and completion date. I will also have a document with a description of each course a list of material used. Lastly, I will have a portfolio of her work from each grade. Just a 2-3 pieces from each course, with a focus on showing writing skills.

Our schools here want to see all that, plus an SAT score (which Canadians typically don't do), plus an interview and a graded grade 12 essay. I feel like I'm forgetting something too. So many hoops to jump...

[LeAnna]

Thank you! Very helpful info! I will definitely use this!

[my3sons]

Teascripts.com is another wonderful resource I plan on using for Wyatt's transcript! Other than that, I am loosely following the guidelines in the Introduction of the high school guides. They are very detailed and thorough, with course descriptions, weighted percentages, etc., and Carrie spent a very long time writing them. There is everything a person would need to thoroughly record/assess high school work. In fact, I'm fine with less, but then I'm a no frills kind of gal when it comes to grading. I'm with my son every single day teaching him, I just am not accepting anything other than "A" work, and almost every single part of high school is gradable, other than the more Charlotte Mason style assessments, which are, of course, my favorite.

In Christ,
Julie

[LeAnna]

Great! I'll be anxious to look at the introduction when I get there. I'm sure it is wonderful!

[my3sons]

Great! I'll be anxious to look at the introduction when I get there. I'm sure it is wonderful!

You can actually see the introductions for both the World Geography guide and the World History guide now online, if you'd like...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/wg-overview.pdf
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/World- ... uction.pdf

In Christ,
Julie

[Lynn3ggb]

Hi LeAnna, I totally understand where you are coming from. I am graduating my first homeschool student this year and I had to learn everything from square one. One thing that helped me was to understand that the transcript is (usually) a condensed one page document consisting primarily of your student's ACADEMIC achievements.

In terms of college admissions, you may provide other items like book lists, course descriptions or complete portfolios at the request of the institutions you are applying to, but the transcript itself containing the students GPA is the main component required, along with official ACT/SAT scores. Some colleges will offer you a template to follow, but I have submitted my own transcript and it has been accepted without any problem. This is, however, my individual experience having applied to many institutions here in southeast Georgia.

I used a book called "Setting the Record Straight" by Lee Binz, along with other resources on the HomeScholar website, and many other resources on the internet to create my own version of a transcript that worked for my daughter's record. It will be a little different for each child and you will find what works best for you and your children as you start creating your own transcripts.

I tried to upload the transcript we have submitted to the colleges my daughter is interested in so that you could get an idea of what should go on a transcript, but I could not get the PDF to upload. Mine is VERY simple, though. Noting fancy, but it got the job done. She has been accepted to every school she applied to, has been offered scholarships, and has been invited by several to compete for full tuition/room and board.


I hope this helps. I know I needed all the help I could get when I started.

Blessings,
Letha

[LeAnna]

Thank you Letha! I will check that out too.