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Hello, All-

We live in Pennsylvania and are starting Preparing and Beyond next week. I have searched out other posts on this topic, but didn't quite find an answer....

In PA, we are required to turn in a portfolio at the end of the school year that includes a daily log. It must "specify specific dates of instruction and the materials used on each date, because the log by definition is a "day to day" record."

This, to me, is the HOD manual!!

Are there any other PA parents out there who can give me a suggestion, besides recopying things from the HOD manual for each child?

We meet with an evaluator (certified public school teacher) who would be pleased to browse the manual, however...the evaluator's written summary and samples of the student's work are then submitted to the school district's superintendent. This year, I submitted my son's portfolio prior to the June 30 deadline and had to call for it last week (Aug 8th)....it still wasn't done being reviewed. So, I can't see the feasibility of submitting the entire manual as proof of a log, especially with younger children coming up in the ranks who may need to start before the school has completed their review.

Any suggestions?

Jodi

I got some great responses to a similar question a while back. I am going to try to link it for you. Hope the old posts help.viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3972#p29326

daisytownmom wrote:Hello, All-

We live in Pennsylvania and are starting Preparing and Beyond next week. I have searched out other posts on this topic, but didn't quite find an answer....

In PA, we are required to turn in a portfolio at the end of the school year that includes a daily log. It must "specify specific dates of instruction and the materials used on each date, because the log by definition is a "day to day" record."

This, to me, is the HOD manual!!

Are there any other PA parents out there who can give me a suggestion, besides recopying things from the HOD manual for each child?

We meet with an evaluator (certified public school teacher) who would be pleased to browse the manual, however...the evaluator's written summary and samples of the student's work are then submitted to the school district's superintendent. This year, I submitted my son's portfolio prior to the June 30 deadline and had to call for it last week (Aug 8th)....it still wasn't done being reviewed. So, I can't see the feasibility of submitting the entire manual as proof of a log, especially with younger children coming up in the ranks who may need to start before the school has completed their review.

Any suggestions?

Jodi

We did PHFHG and Beyond last year. The dc learned so much, and their portfolios show-cased their year so nicely. You have all of that ahead of you - you lucky gal! As far as your evaluation - Do you think you could have a table/spreadsheet where you have columns for the date, the unit, the days, and a blank column for you to check upon completion? Then, you could label the portfolio entries in the top corner with Unit and Day, and put all of the portfolio entries in a 3 ring binder with protective sheets. In the front of the portfolio, you could copy the Introduction of the HOD manual and the first month of plans, with a note saying you can turn in the entire manual upon their request, but you will need it back - and then next have the checkoff sheet you made, followed by the portfolio entries. (You could also take pictures of the projects and include those in the portfolio as well if you'd like.) Do you think something like this would work?

In Christ,
Julie

You don't have to have which date you used what. My evalutator said to just make up a list of all the resources I used and include it. I also printed out a sheet (I think from Donna young's site) were there are 180 blocks and I just filled in the days we did school. As for what else I included, I just took at pages froms the beginning, middle and end of the year of each required subject and put them in the portfolio. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for all your replies. The PA state law is very rigorous...and interpreted on a wide spectrum of "essentials." My evaluator is looking for something substantial by day or on a weekly plan. I think I may try the spread sheet and copy a few "sample" units to include for the district's review. Looking forward to continuing on with you all this year...

Jodi

Here is another link that may help. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4108&p=30192#p30192

Leah