Transcripts Made Easy: The Homeschooler's Guide to High-School Paperwork from Everyday Education: A TOS Crew Review

Transcripts Made Easy: The Homeschooler's Guide to High-School Paperwork from Everyday Education

Do you have a high schooler? Then, you need Transcripts Made Easy: The Homeschooler's Guide to High-School Paperwork written by Janice Campbell from Everyday Education.

This essential tool is the fourth edition.  It arrives as 138 page PDF download.   It contains EVERYTHING you need to get your high school student ready for college.  

Janice Campbell has been a long-time favorite.  We have loved here Excellence in Literature courses.  In this book, she draws from her vast homeschooling experience (with 4 sons!) and gives a clear, easy to understand guide to all the important documents that our high school students need. 

I wish I would have had this guide for my first students, it is filled with practical information and organized in 6 easy to read chapters.  Let me show you each section.

Part 1

• Meet the Transcript
• What is a transcript?
• Who needs a transcript?
• Who will see the transcript?
• What are the parts of the transcript?
• Overview of the Transcript Process
• Where to Start in This Book

This may be the most valuable section.  I know creating a transcript can seem like a daunting process, but Janice walks you through it step by step.  In this section you learn all about the process and why it is so important.  She gives helpful tips based on your time frame?  Have you just started with a middle schooler? Or, do you need a transcript tomorrow?  Either way, she has tips to help you get it done.

Part 2

• Plan with the End in Mind
• What to Study in High School
• Sample High School Requirements
• Skills and Habits to Cultivate in High School
• Scheduling Courses
• Sample Four-Year Schedule for College-Bound Students
• Standardized Tests to Consider
• Seven Strategies for a Successful First Year at College
• College Alternatives
• Six Things Your Teen Can Do While Homeschooling High School
• High School Q&A
• Teaching Teens

If you have any middle or high schoolers, or just want to be prepared, this is the section to spend time in!  I love all her tips! My senior this year enjoyed the strategies for college.  It is filled with great, tested advice on everything from habits to activities your high schooler can be doing.

Part 3

• Keep Simple Records
• High School Binder
• Student Work Samples to Keep
• How to Use Class Profile Sheets
• How to Use Subject Worksheets
• Naming Classes
• Special-Needs Records and Transcripts with Judith Munday
• Special Needs Resource Recommendations from Kathy Kuhl

This is the "nuts and bolts" section. If you have special needs - the advice here is crucial.  She has a designed a simple, and effective way to keep track of all your student's course work.  I can tell you from personal experience - start early!

Part 4

• Grades, Credit, and the GPA
• Grading Realistically and Ethically
• Use Simple Credibility Clinchers
• How To Grade Written Work
• Writing Evaluation Rubric
• Grading for Unschoolers and the Chronically Relaxed
• Non-Grading Philosophy
• Retrospective Grading
• Define a Grading Scale
• Assign Quality Points
• How to Grant Credit
• Granting Credit for Honors Classes
• Granting Credit for AP, Dual Credit, or College-Equivalent Classes
• Calculate a Grade Point Average

Do you have questions about grades, GPA and credits?  Sound like a new language?  This section helps you make sense out of all them!

Part 5

• Create the Transcript
• How to Issue an Official Transcript
• Transcript Formats and Examples
• Horizontal Transcript Format
• Vertical Transcript Formats
• Sample: Vertical Transcript Organized by Subject
• Sample: Vertical Transcript Organized by Semester
• Sample: Vertical Format with Lines
• Check-Off Transcript Format
• Sample: Check-Off Transcript
• High School Diploma Format
• How to Create a High School Diploma
• Text for Diploma

Now, on to how to actually create these documents!  Easy to follow instructions help you create transcripts and diplomas that can be customized to your student.

Part 6

• References, Resources, and Reproducibles
• Glossary
• Resources for Planning and Learning
• Reproducible Forms

All the forms, ready to use.  Also, very helpful links for additional sources.

My new favorite quote from this book.  I think this is the perfect resource for the busy homeschool parent!


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