making the transition to homeschool - records ?

[happyhere]

We recently withdrew our ds from a local private school to homeschool him. The admissions director sent me an email asking which school we would like his records sent to. Since we're homeschooling, should I ask for the records to be sent to me? Will the school likely do that? I know that schools often are reluctant to really give parents the whole file - is that usually an issue?

Since we don't really need the file, should we just let it be and not ask for it?

Thanks for any advice! This is all new to me.

[mom2ponygirl]

I would ask for it. If you are planning on your ds returning to school in a year or two, you might wait and let them send it direct to the new school, but personally I'd want the records myself. If they are reluctant, you can ask for a copy. They can charge you copy cost but should not be able to refuse you a copy of the complete record.

When my daughter left a private Montessori school to homeschool, we asked for her complete records. I had seen some of the paperwork they had for her from her teacher. However, all they sent was 2 pages of testing, her immunization records, and the adoption papers for some other child! It was insane. I would want to know what records they have and get a copy while you can, if I were you.

[happyhere]

Thanks, that sounds like good advice. I have a feeling that we'll get a heavily edited version of his file, but I'll give it a shot. Getting a very light file will just be further evidence of having made the right decision!

[SagMom]

Originally Posted by happyhere

Since we don't really need the file, should we just let it be and not ask for it?

When I withdrew my son from school, this was my thinking--I didn't need his file, so I didn't bother with going through any trouble to get it.

Had he been in high school at the time I would have gotten as much of his high school records as I could as I would have wanted to include that info in any college applications he might make. But he was only in 3rd grade and I didn't imagine anyone would ever care what he had done in K-3 (and, of course, they didn't! )

I guess the deciding factor would be--what would you use them for if you had them and, in the event that the school is not so willing to part with the records, how much effort are you willing to make to obtain them?