Feelings About Transcripts – a Homeschool Mom’s Personal Experience

I received the sweetest note from Stacie this week. She said very nice things about me, which was SO sweet! But I would like all homeschool parents to look beyond her sweet words and see her FEELINGS. She is homeschooling merrily long, doing a great job. Still, her son FEELS like his education doesn’t measure up. As a teacher, she FEELS like she may have failed him academically. Sometimes our feelings tell the truth, but sometimes they don’t. One of the nice things about a transcript is that it’s the TRUTH about your homeschool, and not just a feeling. Read Stacie’s letter:

Dear Lee,

You’ve saved me again. The instructions you provided (about calculating the GPA) were so easy to understand. I was about to just leave out the GPA, but the scholarship paperwork clearly stated that GPA and ACT scores were the deciding factors and must be included. Just like you said, we have to  speak the college’s love language.

I could not have done this without your help and guidance over the past few years.

It was quite an experience to put together this transcript. Whether or not we are awarded any of the scholarships applied for, what my son and I learned has been invaluable. He  had been thinking his education was quite lacking; you know, worried he didn’t measure up to the other kids. I had been thinking I had failed him academically. After we had it all  done, we sat back and digested it all. Wow! We have been quite busy the past few years learning tons of stuff. He’s had quite a varied education. We noticed just how busy he has been with music. Even physical education, the one area I thought he was completely lacking in, ended up with a full 4 credits earned. He ended up with a GPA of 3.81 and 27 earned credits with 8 left to finish out to the end of the school year.

Thank you, Lee, for all you do. I was introduced to your website after 15 years of homeschooling and wondered if your services would even be something I could use. I’m so glad I took that chance on you and your products. Time after time I go back to what you have taught me. You’ve saved me time, headache, and worry. Following your guidance has brought me peace and improved our homeschool. The cost of your products is so small compared to what you’ve done for me. I tell everyone about you. Just today I referred another woman to you. Lee, you’re the best.

From a friend,
Stacie

Every teacher in every educational setting has things that go wrong. Projects left undone, books not finished, kids with attitude, moments of frustration. None of that goes on the  transcript. It happens to every one, in public and private school as well as homeschool, but it doesn’t go on the permanent record. Only the good stuff goes on the transcript. Classes that are finished. The finished grade goes on the transcript, not the icky-yucky sausage-making process of coming up with the grade. As homeschoolers, we sometimes get stuck in the middle of the educational process and forget that our end result is looking pretty good.

Your transcript tells the truth about your homeschool. It can calm your nerves. It can help you gain perspective. It can reassure teens.

Here is what all homeschool parents can glean from this letter from the parent of a high  school senior.

1. Feeling insecure is normal
2. Children may doubt their education
3. Seeing your homeschool in print can help everyone
4. Your homeschool will look good in black and white

Making a transcript is good feedback. And Stacie was so sweet to give me positive  feedback, too! Thanks Stacie!

I am now the Seattle Homeschool Examiner.  You can read my homeschool articles here.