Simple but effective homeschool records

Does the idea of creating and maintaining homeschool records overwhelm you? It shouldn’t. Homeschool records don’t have to be complicated, and in many cases they are primarily for your personal use anyway. So how can you develop a system of homeschool records that works for you? Hopefully these pointers can help you get started.

Check your state regulations.
Before you begin deciding what to save–and what not to save–it’s a good idea to check on any state regulations and requirements. If you aren’t sure of the requirements, your state homeschool organization can probably help you out. You can always save more than is required, and in many cases you will, but you don’t want to save less!

Decide what is important to you.
Once you know what your state requires, it’s time to think about what you want a record of for personal or sentimental reasons. For example, you may want to save samples of your child’s art or writing so you can look back on it when they are older. Or you may want to save photos of projects they’ve completed and copies of written reports that they’ve put time and effort into. You can’t save everything, but determine what is personally important to you so you don’t accidentally toss something you’ll later wish you’d saved.

Develop a system for daily and weekly records.
Now that you know what you’re required to save, and you’ve identified what you personally want to save, it’s time to start developing a system for daily and weekly records. How you do this depends on you. You can create your own weekly schedule and record sheet and print out copies for each student to be completed at the end of each day and week. Or you can purchase a pre-made version, such as our Homeschool Family Plan and Record. Whatever you use, just make sure it includes the dates for each week, the name of each student, and any other information you are required to maintain for your state. These records can be helpful for you as you try to recall what each student has covered and when, particularly if you have multiple students.

Develop a system for annual records.
In addition to daily and weekly records, you will likely also want to save samples of each student’s work, copies of tests, pertinent worksheets, etc. These can not only serve as verification of what you’ve done, but it can also reflect your student’s progress through the year and from year-to-year. A great way to save these records is through use of a simple filing system. Create a file folder for each grade a student completes, and label the folder with their name and the grade. You can be as fancy or as simple as you want with this. Keep the folders for the current school year in an easily accessible place with your other school supplies. When you have something you want to save, simply add it to the folder. If you use weekly printed record sheets, then you can add these to the folder, as well.

At the end of the school year, simply store the folders in a designated box for each student. You can also add consumable workbooks such as math books or language arts books. Now if you ever need to access what a particular student did in a particular year, you can simply pull out their box. This can be helpful if you are looking back to see how a student has progressed over time, or if you are wanting to refresh your memory on what you covered at a certain age with an older sibling.

High school records.
As your student approaches and enters high school, you will likely need to start keeping more detailed records and assigning letter grades, especially if your student is planning to attend college. In this case, keep copies of all tests and any workbooks, lab journals, etc. You will want to access these when you assign letter grades and develop transcripts as grades are generally based on more than just test scores.

You will likely also want to complete a portfolio of extracurricular activities that your high schooler has completed. These may include sports certificates, records of volunteer hours, programs from musical or acting performances, samples of artwork, etc. Having these records compiled in an organized manner will be extremely helpful when your student begins applying to colleges and scholarships. For more suggestions on creating a high school portfolio, check out this article.

Hopefully these pointers have given you some ideas of how you can develop a system of maintaining homeschool records that works for you and your family. Remember, first and foremost these records are for your benefit, so if your current system is stressful and overwhelming, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your approach and try something new. A well organized system on the outset can save you hours of time and stress when you need to access these records in the future.