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Homeschooling 101

Lesson 5: Record Keeping and Scheduling

Record keeping… If you are like me, you have a “love-hate” relationship with records. I love to have them, but hate to “keep” them. What is a homeschooling mom to do?

What records do I have to keep?

It is very important to keep accurate records in your homeschool. The types of records, and what you do with them will depend on what your state requires, whether or not your child plans to attend college and your personal preference.

On one hand, records are a great way to “prove” to well-meaning friends and family that yes, your child is learning, and yes, they are learning what they “should” be. Our records show how homeschooling is working for us.

On the other hand, records may be required by your state. If that is the case, many times they will specify not only what records to keep (grades, attendance, immunizations etc.) but how to keep them.

In "educationalese" the records kept on your child during the course of his or her school career is called a cumulative (cum) file (also knows as the dreaded “permanent record”.) Keeping a cum file on your child isn’t as hard as it may sound. Just remember to keep it up to date (like many things, it is much easier to do a little at a time than it is to try to do it all at once) and make sure any forms you are required to keep are there.

Here are some of the records you might want to keep in your child’s Cum File:

If your child has attended school, request a copy of the cum file they have on your child
A list of all subjects taught for the year and any material you will be using
Attendance Records (check to see what your state considers a “school day” You may be ahead of the game.
Progress made in each subject
Immunization records (Your child’s Doctor can provide these.)
Samples of the work your child has done throughout the year (We include a list of all books read, also.)

Not sure how to translate what your child does everyday into records that will pass your states requirements? Education-Ese Terms and Edu-speak, the dictionary can help!

Find out what records your state or province requires. What records do you think you would like to keep that aren't required?