| If you are one of those parents who wish to | | | | . Various samples of the childs work, like writing |
| home school your child, then it is very important | | | | and drawings, some workbook exercise pages, |
| for you to maintain a home school portfolio of the | | | | audio or videotapes or even photographs of the |
| child. In some states it is mandatory under the | | | | child participating in activities like drama, singing, |
| educational laws, to maintain a home school | | | | playing musical instrument or just reading aloud, in |
| portfolio. However, not every state requires the | | | | the case of small children. |
| parents to maintain one, but maintaining one | | | | . Some brochures or booklets from educational |
| definitely helps in maintaining a treasured | | | | trips to nature parks or museums. |
| keepsake of your childs education and it also plays | | | | . The list of goals that the parents had set, at the |
| a vital role in the evaluation process. | | | | start of the academic year and the |
| School districts require home-schooled students to | | | | accomplishment of each. |
| present complete portfolios, highlighting the | | | | While the list of materials to be included looks |
| students progress in an organized manner, for | | | | quite overwhelming, the task of collecting the |
| evaluation. Designing and maintaining a home | | | | same is not so daunting. Just make sure that you |
| school portfolio is not difficult, after understanding | | | | start designing and collecting for the portfolio right |
| what the portfolio comprises of. It is basically a | | | | from the beginning of the year. A three ring |
| collection of material that showcases how much | | | | binder does well for storing all the material, |
| your child has learned within the duration of the | | | | without damaging any. Parents can use quality |
| academic year. | | | | paper for documenting. You could first state a |
| Nowadays in many states, educational authorities | | | | few goals for the academic year and add some |
| have made the evaluation of home schooling | | | | more, later. You could state the resources you |
| students mandatory, either by testing them or by | | | | would be using to achieve those goals and then |
| demanding a ready home school portfolio. | | | | start organizing the sample work, by subject |
| Maintaining a portfolio not only helps to comply | | | | matter. Always keep a camera handy to collect |
| with educational law, but it also helps the parents | | | | snapshots of the childs projects or craft. |
| to record their childs achievements and progress. | | | | Your job of creating a portfolio will not end by |
| This becomes very important once the child | | | | simply putting together the material. Regular |
| reaches high school level and needs a diploma. | | | | maintenance is very necessary to maintain a good |
| The information within a portfolio depends entirely | | | | portfolio. Consistent and regular maintenance |
| upon the parent and child. However, documenting | | | | saves you the bother of rushing to put together |
| a variety of information will help to reflect the | | | | a portfolio at the end of the year and in the |
| childs learning ability and accomplishments more | | | | process leaving out some vital samples that |
| accurately. Some of the suggested matter that | | | | should have been included. Before you submit the |
| could be included in your portfolio is listed below: | | | | portfolio, go through the whole collection again and |
| . A journal containing notes about the progress | | | | remove the unnecessary matter. |
| made via various activities. | | | | A portfolio review can be fun provided it has |
| . A list of the resources used, including games, | | | | been designed properly. It provides both, parents |
| curriculum, books, computer software and | | | | and children with a time to discuss |
| outdoor activities. | | | | accomplishments of an academic year. |