Homeschooling 101: Records to Keep for New Homeschooling Parents
Welcome to the world of homeschooling! As a new homeschooling parent, you’re embarking on a remarkable educational journey with your child. Along the way, you’ll discover the importance of maintaining records and documentation to ensure a smooth and successful homeschooling experience. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the essential records you should keep and why they matter. You will learn what records to keep for new homeschooling parents.
1. Attendance Records:
Most states or regions require parents to keep track of their child’s attendance. Maintain a calendar or attendance sheet indicating the days your child participated in educational activities, even if it’s a non-traditional learning day, like a field trip.
2. Curriculum and Lesson Plans:
Document the curriculum or educational materials you plan to use. Outline your lesson plans, including subjects, objectives, and learning activities. This helps you stay organized and ensures you’re covering the required topics.
3. Portfolios and Samples of Work:
Create and regularly update a portfolio of your child’s work. This may include assignments, projects, essays, artwork, or any creative endeavors. Portfolios serve as evidence of your child’s progress and can be helpful in evaluations.
4. Testing and Assessments:
Some states or districts require standardized tests or assessments. Keep records of test scores and results. If your state doesn’t mandate this, consider using periodic assessments to track your child’s development.
5. Communication with Educational Authorities:
Maintain copies of any correspondence or communication with your state’s homeschooling authorities. This includes notification letters, approval letters, and any other official documents.
6. Reading Logs:
If your state mandates a minimum number of reading hours or books, keep a reading log to record the books your child reads. Include the title, author, and date of completion.
7. Field Trip Documentation:
Document all your educational field trips. This includes dates, locations, the educational purpose, and what your child learned from the experience.
8. Special Education Records:
If your child has special education needs, maintain records related to evaluations, progress reports, and any special accommodations or therapies.
9. Extracurricular Activities:
Keep track of any extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, or group lessons your child participates in. These activities contribute to a well-rounded education.
10. Health Records:
Maintain copies of your child’s health records, including vaccinations, medical check-ups, and any special health considerations that may affect their learning.
Keeping accurate records is a fundamental part of homeschooling. Not only do they help you comply with legal requirements, but they also serve as a valuable resource to track your child’s progress and ensure they’re receiving a well-rounded education. Remember, every state has different homeschooling regulations, so be sure to familiarize yourself with your state’s specific requirements and keep your records in an organized and accessible manner so that you can know what records to keep for new homeschooling parents. Happy homeschooling! 📚🏡🎓
