Requirements, Transcripts, and Dual Credit, Oh My!!! Part 2
As I promised last week, this week I will discuss transcripts. This is actually the easiest part of the entire process because all it requires is for you to document everything your student has done in high school. In addition to a transcript, some schools may also require a student resume. Don’t worry, these are easy too. It’s just another document that allows your students to highlight their achievements and awards in academics, athletics, and the arts, as well as list their volunteer hours.
There are two main formats in which a transcript can be created: by academic year or by required subjects. Either is fine! It all depends on what is easier for you to update or what a particular school requires. Personally, I like the academic year transcripts. I thrive on things being in order chronologically. Most people I know who prefer the transcripts by subject are parents who have academically advanced children who have finished high school-level classes before their “high school” years.
Below are examples of both types of transcripts.
For more free templates, please visit Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA).
To determine what subject to include or offer your student, please see my previous blog post.
Credits and GPA
If a course is one that would normally take an entire school year to cover such as math, science, etc., you want to award 1 credit. If a subject is only taken over one semester, you should only award ½ a credit. The exception here is with dual credit because even though the class is only taken over the course of one semester, it is a college-level class; therefore, an entire credit should be awarded, and you may even want to count it as an honors class. We’ll talk more about dual credit next week!
A student’s GPA is calculated by multiplying the credit of each class by the points of the grade received. You now add your answers and divide them by the total number of credits. You now have your GPA. The most common grading scale is A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
Let’s calculate the GPA by using five common classes. I color coordinated the instructions above with the example below to hopefully make it easier to follow and understand. Say Johnny made an A in math, a B in physics, a C in English, a B in history, and an A in P.E.
Math A = 4 points x 1 credit = 4
Physics B = 3 points x 1 credit = 3
English C = 2 points x 1 credit = 2
History B = 3 points x 1 credit = 3
P.E. A = 4 points x 0.5 credit = 2
14 (Added totals) ÷ 4.5 (Number of credits) = 3.11 GPA
I hope this made sense!
Each year you will do the same thing and will include your current GPA and your cumulative GPA as well on your transcript.
Sending Your Official Transcript to Colleges and Universities
I have personally not encountered any college or university who didn’t accept my transcript directly from me. I’m pretty sure all Texas schools are fine with that. However, I do know a couple of parents whose children applied to out-of-town schools and the school needed to get their transcript from another source. If that is the case for you, shoot me an email (ThePottersHandHomeAcademy@gmail.com) and I’ll get you in contact with someone who can help you. When I send a transcript, I print it on high-quality parchment paper, and since the ink is black, I sign it in blue ink. It just makes it stand out and look official.
I know this is a lot of info at once, but let me encourage you that it is not hard at all. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am working on hosting a workshop to go over requirements, transcripts, and dual credit. It will most likely be on a Thursday evening, but I’ll keep you posted. Make sure to subscribe to this blog below by entering your email, so that you get the date as soon as I announce it! Also, please leave a comment letting me know if this was useful and what other topics you would like me to cover.
Hope you have a blessed week!