Understanding the difference between a high school portfolio and a transcript is important for homeschool moms.
Let’s begin with defining the terms.
Portfolio
A portfolio may be required yearly by your state. Parents usually compile a list of subjects studied, books read, and a sampling of work completed in one year into a neat binder. You only need a sampling of the student’s work to document the progress made that year.
Transcript
A transcript is a document listing the student’s course work and grades, credits earned, volunteer work, and ACT/SAT scores from their high school years. It is similar to a resume. Most parents put this on one sheet. If there has been extensive work on a specific subject, you can create a separate document highlighting the area of study or work done on that topic. Keep in mind that most colleges receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. Focus on putting together a concise and accurate summary.
I’m frequently asked whether a high school transcript is needed to graduate as a homeschool student. Currently in Florida the answer is No. Other states may require it, so check with your county homeschool liaison. However, you will almost certainly need a transcript for any continuing education your child may pursue. Waiting until your child’s 11th or 12th grade years to create this document can be a challenge. Those final years are generally filled with SAT and ACT testing, college applications, and completing high school requirements needed for possible scholarship money. You can avoid this undue stress by staying on top of it early on. (more…)
Many homeschool moms struggle with the fear that only a certified teacher is “qualified” to execute the task of teaching their children. I have known many women who have educated their children quite successfully without having a teaching degree. The three ingredients needed for success are simple: a desire to learn, a willingness to work, and the determination to stick with it.
Moms seem to forget just how many subjects are taught on a daily basis. By this point, you’ve taught your child to eat, play, and speak without being a nutritionist, PE major, or speech pathologist.
To teach successfully you must have the commitment to learn. At first, it may seem like you’re drinking from a fire hose; and that’s okay because you are! A good place to start is talking to other homeschool moms, visiting the library for relevant information, and getting connecting with homeschooling groups for support. They are all great resources which will get you on the right path. With all the new information and decisions you will be making, having a place to organize it will provide a sense of order, whether it is a physical notebook, Evernote, or whatever works for you. (more…)
Such an odd title, isn’t it? How can something be beautifully broken? Broken: in pieces, not put together, and most importantly not perfect. The word broken conjures such sad, negative emotions. That is usually the case because we fail to see the beauty of how the Lord sees brokenness.
This is a vivid picture of life: we are not perfect. We are never able to accomplish everything, or say just the right words, or love unconditionally. We are broken: crushed by past hurts, disappointments, unmet needs, sickness, and so on. (more…)
