There are a few different ways to award credit on a homeschool high school transcript. First, let’s cover the basics…
Each state (or country) determines how many credit hours are needed for a high school diploma. You can check out these requirements here. But, keep in mind, as a homeschooler you do not need to follow these requirements. It is a good idea to know what the public schools require, because that should provide a good baseline for you as you plan your homeschooler’s high school path.
Once you have a good idea of how many credits are needed, it’s time to determine just *how* (or on what basis) you will award that credit.
High School Credit – Option 1
Let time spent on each subject determine the amount of credit. It is generally understood that 60-90 hours of coursework in one subject is worth 1/2 credit… or one semester credit. 120-180 hours is equal to one whole credit hour… or one year.
This method is particularly good for homeschoolers who use unit studies or self-directed learning or any other homeschooling method that does not use a textbook.
An example: Say your plan for 9th grade Language Arts includes reading a few novels, writing term papers, and studying vocabulary… all without a set textbook. How do you know how much is enough? Just keep track of time spent working on those items. Basically, 45 minutes a day for the standard 180 day school year equals 135 hours. Boom! There’s one credit.
Perhaps your homeschooler likes to just focus on 2-3 subjects at a time. If they spend 1.5 hours a day for one semester (90 days), that would also be one credit.
High School Credit – Option 2
Use the curriculum as your guide. Very few brick and mortar schools complete an entire textbook in one year. The general rule is that completing at least 75% of the text is equivalent to one credit (assuming it is a full year curriculum).
This is the simplest method and often the best method for students who like to move at their own pace. If they can whip through the text, complete the work, and pass the tests in less than 130 hours, good for them. They can move on to the next subject.
Example: If you buy a complete 12th grade History curriculum, when your child completes it, they have earned a credit (assuming they make good grades). Even if you skip a chapter or two, it would still count as a credit.
High School Credit – Option 3
Dual enrollment college classes are also a great way to get homeschool high school credit. But, keep in mind, the hour requirements are different.
Any one semester college level course taken in high school is worth one full credit on a high school transcript.
Example: If your homeschooler enrolls in a college level English class in the Fall semester, they would get one year’s worth of credit on the high school transcript (assuming they pass the class). If your homeschooler takes a full college load, they would complete one year of high school in one college semester!
High School Credit – Option 4
For electives, you can use the “time spent” method in option 1 above. If your child wants to persue their own interests, make it an elective and count the hours.
Example: I gave my daughter one half credit for her involvement in a community theater production.
Final Thoughts
Awarding credit on a homeschool high school transcript is not that difficult! Just keeping track of work completed in the text, or hours spent studying is enough to confidently complete your child’s transcript!