RECORD KEEPING

The single most asked question of any accountability association is concerning record keeping.  While the South Carolina law is very clear on the subjects your child(ren) must be taught, the amount of days they must be schooled and the type of records that should be maintained; the style of record keeping is left to the discretion of the parent-teacher and many find that they need additional guidance.  

Following is a break down of each section of SC Section 59-65-47:

(a) a parent must hold at least a high school diploma or the equivalent general educational development (GED) certificate;

While it is not mandated, homeschooling parents are highly encouraged to keep a copy of their high school/college diploma or GED certificate in their yearly files.  At the end of the school year simply make another copy for the next year.

(b) the instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days;

Every student must participate in school for 180 days.  It's easiest to know that you have met that requirement if you have a tracking method in place.  Many teacher's plan books contain an attendance page to help with this.  However, should you need an attendance page, please visit our forms tab to print one for your record keeping.  

(c) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature; and

(d) educational records shall be maintained by the parent-teacher and include:  

No records are to be sent to Upcountry Homeschool Association unless they are specifically requested.

(1) a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent-teacher engage; There are many teacher's plan books on the market but you do not have to use a formal plan book.  Some parents print our plan sheet from the forms tab and place in a three ring binder, others use a spiral composition book.  

(2) a portfolio of samples of the student's academic work; Parent-teachers must compile a portfolio of work that each student completed during the school year.  It is suggested to keep a few graded pieces from the first, middle and end of each subject taught, per student.  You may store these in any fashion that you find easiest.  Many parents combine these samples, along with all the record keeping pieces and documentation into one dated binder.  However, you can also use a box, file, etc.

(3) a semiannual progress report including attendance records and individualized documentation of the student's academic progress in each of the basic instructional areas specified in item (c) above.  Parent-teachers may design their own semiannual progress report or print one from the forms tab.  This must be done twice per year, per student, to make your record keeping complete.