Are grading systems really necessary for homeschool families? How can you accurately demonstrate progress and comprehension without using grades? How do you determine a homeschool grading system?
Let’s take a look at some alternatives to the standard letter grading systems used in traditional schools.
Age and ability obviously can make a difference and factor into our homeschool evaluations. For that reason, these ideas are categorized by age level.
Early Years Homeschool Grading System
When talking to homeschool moms, the consensus on grades for the early years is — no grades at all! It’s not really necessary for the littlest learners to be graded on any kind of formal scale.
The most important thing to keep in mind during the early years is to instill that love of learning, encourage curiosity, and cover the basics.
Ideas for tracking progress include:
- Use tests when necessary, but only as a means to see areas that need work, not as a measurement of success or failure
- Review work, such as math and spelling, until they achieve mastery
- Incentives such as stickers earned or recording number of books read in a reading log
Grade System for Homeschooling Middle Years
Many homeschool families use these middle years as a time of transition to more independent work for their kids so they begin using a grading system as a means of feedback.
Ideas for tracking progress include:
- 4 point rubric (satisfactory, needs improvement, unsatisfactory, excellent)
- Percentage points grading scale, especially for spelling and math
- No grades, but reviewing and correcting work until it is 100% understood and accurate
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High School Years: Homeschool Grades Matter
Whether your child is choosing a career or college track can make a difference in the grading system for the high school years.
If you’re preparing a transcript for college admission, sometimes standard grades are the only choice.
Most of the ideas that work for the middle years also work in the high school years, so bear that in mind.
There are a few others that can be used as your kids demonstrate their maturity and ability to handle the responsibility.
Ideas for tracking progress include:
- Allow the teen to grade themselves so they take responsibility for their education and their work
- Take online courses with built-in review and grading
- Standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT
Of course, it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy the freedom of homeschooling and forgo any kind of grading system.
Once again, it’s always best to do what works for your family and what is required by the state you live in.
You’ll love these other tips
- How to Grade Hands-on Homeschool Activities and Projects (Free Rubric for Grading)
- How to Grade a Homeschool Unit Study for an Older Child (& high school assessment)
- Should we Give Grades to Our Middle and High School Homeschooled Kids?
- 3 Risks of Not Tracking Your Homeschool Lessons (Even If They’re Laid-Out).
- Wipe Out Self-Doubt: 13 Ways to Show Homeschool Progress (And How I Know My Sons Got It).
Hugs and love ya,
