For about ten years, I've watched a considerable number of local homeschooling families place their children into public or private school when they reach either the junior high or high school years. They've had multiple reasons for doing this. Please understand that I am not criticizing them for their choice. Often, they have felt God leading them in this direction. I've observed other homeschooling families place their junior high or high school children into charter school-at-home programs; most of their time is still homeschooling at home. We've been praying and thinking about several options for our girls once they reach high school. But so far, none of those other options have seemed to be the right choice for our own family. Kelsi (age 14) participated in a mock trial club at our local high school this last year. While she loved being on a mock trial team (half homeschoolers, half public schoolers), there were some things that she really didn't like about being in a public school program, and she has no desire to take classes from a public school or public school charter school program for her high school years. We have felt peace about teaching our girls at home during their high school years. One of the areas about teaching high school at home - that I felt I've needed to learn more about - is keeping appropriate high school records. There are many views among public school teachers and administration on how to grade student work. Throw in differing views of private school teachers, those of colleges and universities (yes, those vary, too!) and homeschool parents, and it can be tough to sort it all out. Also, what about transcripts? How do I write one that will be acceptable for college admission, should my daughters be interested in attending college in the future? How do I go about writing Course Descriptions to include with my daughters' transcripts? I was excited to learn about Lee Binz's recent book: Setting the Records Straight: How to Craft Homeschool Transcripts and Course Descriptions for College Admission and Scholarships.
Non-fiction books are interesting to me but take me F-O-R-E-V-E-R to read! I think this is because I'm usually reading with background "noise": piano lessons, violin lessons, and even Netflix movies in the evenings at home. Well, one of the best things ever (for a homeschoolin' mama) happened when Lee Binz's book, Setting the Records Straight came in the mail last Saturday. I took my girls plus three of their friends up to Homeschool Outdoor School on Sunday afternoon - and dropped them off for three days of fun and learning. After I arrived home on Monday afternoon, I had several hours to myself for my own fun and learning! I was able to read Setting the Record Straight in about two hours. Yeah! Um - yes, this is what I do these days for fun. And I enjoy it a lot! (See, I am a crazy, desperate lunatic!) 
Setting the Records Straight will not answer every question you've ever had about educating a high school student at home. It will, however, cause you to have confidence in what you are doing - to know that the record keeping you will be maintaining at home will be well accepted and appreciated by colleges and universities. My questions about how to develop our own transcripts, and how to write course descriptions were completely answered. I feel very confident about how to do that now. I'm also excited that homeschoolers are able to include so much more than public school students when they submit admission applications to colleges and universities! Homeschoolers are definitely at an advantage when it comes to their permanent records and providing a much more well-rounded picture of themselves when they apply for admission. My favorite aspect of Setting the Records Straight? Lee immediately jumps into answering questions that you have, instead of spending 2/3 of the book in theories! She wastes no time in helping you to get started, step by step, in record-keeping and preparing your high schooler for college. I love this! I wish many other books would follow her example. And she includes page after page of samples and examples. You'll love this! If you've had fears about teaching your older children at home during the high school years, you will gain a lot out of Lee's book. I'm so glad I've read it!
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| Lee Binz from www.TheHomeScholar.com is allowing me to give away one copy of her book, Setting the Records Straight! Just enter below, using the Rafflecopter form, for entries to this giveaway. Entrants must be 18 years old or older, and residents in the United States. |
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The HomeScholar.com provided me with one paperback copy of Setting the Records Straight in exchange for my honest review of the book. No other compensation was provided.
27 Comments
Colette
9/22/2012 10:59:16 am
God has not given us a spirit of fear. I trust that He will help me every step of the way, every day. I am not perfect & know I won't homeschool perfectly but He is strong in my weakness. This book does sound like it could be helpful!
Shari Lee
9/22/2012 12:02:19 pm
Transcripts are my main concern for High School. I can make sure my girls get the courses required along with the knowledge and skills I value for them, but my fear is conveying that in an acceptable form for college and scholarship applications. This book looks very helpful!
Lisa Buck
9/22/2012 02:14:31 pm
Thank you so much for the helpful homeschool tips and encouragement! Though I know we are doing what we have decided is best for us all, I still get nervous... Have I forgotten something? Am I doing enough? What if this decision hampers the kids' futures? It takes a lot of faith to step out into these waters. It helps so much to know we are not alone, and that this CAN be done!
Kristina S
9/22/2012 06:02:55 pm
My main concern is just not being able to keep up with all the work, planning, corrections, etc., for multiple high school and middle school kids.
Terri B
9/23/2012 02:53:51 pm
I am concerned about documenting everything and handling all the requirements.
Sherry
9/24/2012 03:37:47 am
I want to make sure they learn everything they need to know. Wow! Now that I type that I realize everything is quite an overwhelming task and impossible. I feel better already!
lois tebo
9/24/2012 05:06:01 am
I am one of Lee's gold club members and appreciate her counsel so much!
Karen K
9/24/2012 05:08:29 am
My biggest fear about home schooling through high school is not being able to issue an accredited diploma.
Diana Gardner
9/24/2012 08:38:28 am
My biggest fear is that I'm not doing enough, that I'll miss something important, and it will cause my son to have problems later.
Lori B
9/24/2012 09:11:12 pm
Sounds like a book I need to read!
Thank you!
mindy
9/24/2012 11:46:42 pm
Yes, my fears are not doing enough and record keeping. This book sounds Great!
cakemama
9/27/2012 11:50:33 am
I've never been concerned about educating my children, but the idea that I may incorrectly record something, or find out after 4 years that I have to go back and figure out something I did wrong....that freaks me out!!!
Kina
9/28/2012 01:36:56 pm
My biggest fear is doing science. I don't want to dissect anything!!!
Heather S
9/28/2012 01:39:37 pm
My biggest fear is not preparing them for what they'll need as new adults in the "real world".
abi buening
9/28/2012 02:23:31 pm
they won't do well in college
9/28/2012 05:01:31 pm
My only concern is making sure I have the right tools (curriculum choices) each year to maximize each one of our children's potential :) Nine years into it - so far, so good :)
9/30/2012 12:48:52 am
My oldest is only in 5th grade but I think my biggest fear is math.
9/30/2012 01:55:08 am
My biggest fear is that I will fail in some way to give them the educational foundation they need to pursue their dreams.
Becki F.
9/30/2012 09:00:56 am
I so need this book. Scared of the record keeping and not sure where to start.
9/30/2012 11:06:21 pm
Although my son is only 9 it sounds like an awesome book! Prep work :)
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Hi! I'm Julieanne!
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