Educational Records

Maintaining education records can be a difficult concept to grasp, perhaps intimidating for some families who are considering home schooling. Parents of children who attend either public or private school have never had to deal with this aspect of the child's education.

For a closer look at SC Code of Law Section 59-65-47. Law (d) educational records shall be maintained by the parent-teacher and include:

a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent-teacher engage;

a portfolio of samples of the student's academic work; and

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.

Section 59-65-47 Law (d) is the third option law that states educational records are to be maintained by the parent/teacher. An overview, reflecting the differences between the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd option home schools laws is provided. After reviewing the three options, you will notice, there IS NOT a similar law, stating the parent shall maintain records, listed under section 59-65-45, which is the code representing the second option. You will also notice, there IS a similar law listed under section 59-65-40, which is the law representing the first option.

Simply put, if you home school under the laws of the 1st option, you (the parent/teacher) are responsible for maintaining your education records. If you home school under SCAIHS, the second option, the office of SCAIHS is responsible for maintaining your educational records. If you home school under the 3rd option, you (the parent/teacher) are responsible for maintaining your educational records.

There are 3rd option accountability associations willing to provide the additional service of maintaining your educational records for you, for a fee. Even though, according to the SC State Code of Law, the parent/teacher is ultimately responsible for their educational records.

Will the office of PIE maintain educational records as a service in the future?

This will depend on the member’s of PIE and their needs. We feel this is an unnecessary step due to the fact the parent/teacher will create the content in the first place. The parent/teacher would then provide their content to the office of PIE. The office of PIE will format the content, and then, turn around and give the formatted content right back to the parent and call it educational records. We would rather provide members the support and tools they need to complete the task themselves. We can easily accomplish this through the use of technology.

Important Note: Under the third option laws, home schools are not only required by law, they also have the right to maintain their own educational records. Parent/teacher’s have the right to produce their transcripts, diplomas, report cards, etc.

Are these documents important?

Yes, it is very important for the parent/teacher to maintain accurate records of the student's completed work and activities. Upon completion of high school, the student’s academic records will play an important role in whether, or not, they successfully obtain scholarships, enter the college of their choice, or to establish their eligibility to enlist into the military at the Tier 1 status.

Visit the following related links:

• Educational Records

• Record Keeping Solutions

• Maintaining Educational Records

• Lesson Plans

• Journal (Daily Logs)

• Resource Tracking List

• Course Description

• Student Portfolio

• Semi-Annual Progress Report

• Report Card

• High School Transcript

• Credit, Credits, and more Credits

• Diploma

• Testing Information

• Testing With PIE

• Drivers Education

• Frequently Asked Questions