JoyfulDancer wrote:I am frantically trying to get my daughter's transcript ready to send off to a couple of colleges this week, and I've hit upon a snag.
<<hugs>> for the transcript panic -- and for difficult college requirements. I've never had to create course descriptions or any of the other things you've mentioned, and my youngest has attended 3 colleges in 2 states! However, they are still asking for more financial paperwork and he started college in August
JoyfulDancer wrote:For Apologia Biology and Chemistry she took a separate lab class in addition to doing the book work and tests at home. I had listed each individually, for example: Biology - B Biology Lab - A
It occurs to me that I probably shouldn't be listing the lab separately, but if not, then I have to figure out what percentage of the grade the labs are worth, and it will probably change her GPA. Am I right?
About the science grade, I agree that Biology and Chem usually include lab. However, your transcript can be done the way you think best, even something like 0.75 credit for bio and 0.25 credit for lab. But you still may have to re-do the GPA if you gave more than 1.0 total credit for each course - unless you really think she went above and beyond the usual 1.0 total credit.
As for how to recalculate the grade, you could use the MFW lesson plans if you like. I think they give 35% credit for lab. Of course, you could just count lab as "pass" (I've seen that done at our local high school) and stick with the grade earned for the main coursework, but if that would mean losing the higher grade, then it would be nice to boost the GPA. You might do B+ or A-, if you do those kinds of grades, or you could include the lab course in just one of the semesters, if you grade by semester.
JoyfulDancer wrote:My other question has to do with Physical Science. She took that in 8th, but I believe I can list that as a high school course, correct? If so, how do I do that, and do I count it for credit or not?
I would not include 8th grade courses unless she is really lacking in credits, or needs credits in a specific area (i.e. science). Of course, check with your intended college, but 8th grade credits are generally not on high school transcripts and Physical Science is not a stellar enough course to push it if the credit isn't needed, in my humble opinion
JoyfulDancer wrote:I really had no idea how complicated this whole thing is!!! I have to write course descriptions as well as fill out all the guidance councelor materials and write a description of our educational philosophy, motivation, goals, etc and write a teacher reference and a guidance councelor reference.
I wonder if the science lab teacher can help with the teacher reference? (A good idea to get those references from outside teachers while the course is in session, just for future reference.)
As for the educational philosophy, you might get a brochure from your local public high school and imitate their edu-speak language. They may have the info online, as well.
Hopefully the MFW course descriptions will give you a jump-start on those, and there are some posts by Trish and Dawn and a link to HSLDA that might be helpful here:
http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php ... 840#p99330
HTH, Julie