When (or if) Keeping Grades is Necessary for your Homeschool
Ask a veteran homeschooler how to keep track of grades. You will receive a myriad of answers: from “Buy a teacher’s grade book and daily record attendance and grades” to “Grades? Why bother!” As a homeschool parent, have you wondered whether it is necessary to keep track of your children’s grades?
Numerous considerations affect a decision whether to keep grades, especially at middle school and below. In all honesty, I would say, most homeschoolers track grades in the High School years, since transcripts will be required for colleges, military, apprenticeships, and some employers. But the lower grades may offer more grading flexibility.
As you consider your decision, keep in mind, unless grades are required by a charter, umbrella school or your state’s homeschool laws, there is no right answer. Always consider any state requirements first. If you are unsure of these, take time to find out. Most state homeschool organizations offer this information or check a site like HSLDA. Some families also join charter schools. Different charter schools have different expectations and offer different advantages to homeschool parents. There are pros and cons, and each family must decide for themselves if joining a charter school is a practical option. Once the decision is made, the charter school sets any grading requirements. The umbrella school option provides a way to meet state guidelines without the financial or curriculum assistance given by a state or public charter school. Umbrella schools also set specific grading requirements to follow if you join. Umbrella and charter school availability differ with each state. Learn more about these choices by talking to your state homeschool organization.
Are you reading the above and thinking, yea, this is great information, but it doesn’t apply to me? If there are no school/state requirements for grade keeping, should I keep grades? Let’s look at three considerations.
First, what is your educational philosophy? Or more simply, is it important that children learn responsibility in completing assignments or how to test well? Or do you prefer they master the material, regardless of how many times it takes to repeat the lessons or tests? This may not be an either/or scenario. Some children are responsible and complete lessons accurately and within the suggested time frame, while mastering the material and testing well. But this does not describe all kids. As the homeschool teacher, the ultimate decision is yours, based on your philosophy and goals. There is no right or wrong answer.
Second, does your child need an external motivator to do his/her schoolwork? It is possible that your child may need the push to complete an assignment that comes from earning a grade for effort. If this describes your child, it may be wise to track grades in a teacher planner. If this is outside your educational philosophy, then consider keeping grades in subjects that are more naturally graded, like mathematics or language arts. Math worksheets and tests, spelling tests, and writing or grammar worksheets work well for grading purposes. Alternatively, some children have had negative experiences with grading in school and may experience grading or test anxiety. In this situation, it may be a better fit to focus on mastery and not grades. Another factor to consider is the new-to-homeschooling student who has been in a traditional school. Children coming home from a public or private school often require a little more time to adjust. Keeping grades and offering report cards for a year may ease their transition.
Finally, the decision to keep grades may improve your relationship with your children. Sound counter-intuitive? Sometimes, learning to separate “mom” from “teacher” is a real struggle. Children may also find this role change difficult. If you tend to accept unceasing excuses, tears, or tantrums, and feel your child’s education is suffering, grading may help establish boundaries between mom and teacher. No right or wrong answer here-just what your family needs to be successful in the homeschool journey.
Hopefully, this has helped you make the decision about grade keeping. Next week, we’ll look at two homeschool moms’ perspectives: one who kept grades and one who did not. We are also happy to answer your homeschool questions. Call, Live Chat or Email us; we are here to help. ~ Deanne
