This post is sponsored by Reading Portfolio. While I was compensated for my time and with free product, all opinions are 100% my own. You can read my full disclosure here.
As a parent, one of my concerns has always been how the educational decisions we have made for our family will affect our children’s ability to get into college. Regardless of school choice, as parents we all want what is best for our kids, right?
Our oldest is now 15 and thoughts about college are frequently on my mind. And if I’m honest, our choice to homeschool through high school causes me to sometimes to question whether we’re setting our teen up for success or not.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities that will help build a strong homeschool transcript. One way to do this is by keeping a reading portfolio to track the books our teen is reading.
Building Your Teen’s Reading Portfolio
Having a list of all the books your high school student has read during their school career is an excellent way to show that they have been exposed to good literature and are well-read. For this reason, I maintain an annual list of what my teen has read in our records. But I am really excited about the new online program, Reading Portfolio.
Reading Portfolio is designed to help parents and students keep track of independent reading with verified proof of comprehension. This is a great way for homeschool teens to build a reading portfolio for college admissions.
Created for students 13 and up, Reading Portfolio credits students for every book they read and every quiz they pass on their site. This allows students to build a score based on their reading history and comprehension for college applications.
Here’s a quick video walking you through the quiz process:
What I Like About Using Reading Portfolio
- The site navigation and quizzes are easy to use.
- Homeschool students have a verified reading list for college applications from an outside party.
- It allows me to gauge reading comprehension.
- The quizzes keep my student accountable.
- The book list gives me additional ideas for independent reading.
- Reading Portfolio is affordable!
A one year subscription to Reading Portfolio is just $15.95 or you can choose a ten year subscription for only $24.95.
Each time your student takes a quiz, the session is recorded on video. I have to admit that I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. But, the videos are just used to confirm students are not cheating and are deleted after being spot checked by Reading Portfolio staff.
Not all the books on my teen’s reading list are available on Reading Portfolio. However, there were still plenty of books that my student has read and will be reading to begin growing his verified reading list. As the site grows, I’m sure the book list will as well.
Reading Portfolio Giveaway
Interested in giving it a try? Through 8/27/15 (11 pm EST), 25 readers will win a one year subscription to Reading Portfolio.
And if you purchase a subscription to Reading Portfolio and win the giveaway, you will receive a refund.
Joy says
August 20, 2015 at 10:55 pmI need all the help I can get to keep track of what my students read. They are readers and I can’t keep up with a list of what they have read. It’s frustrating. One in high school and one in eighth. This sounds like a great aid.
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 6:47 amI understand how frustrating that can be. But, it is a good problem to have. 🙂 I would put some of the responsibility on them to track what they are reading for their records. Reading Portfolio could definitely help with that! Thanks for stopping by!
tracy criswell says
August 21, 2015 at 8:04 amThis would be wonderful for our family. My oldest is just starting high school and he has three younger siblings. It would be a true blessing to win this 🙂
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 8:54 amBlessings on the high school journey! 😀
A Ross says
August 21, 2015 at 11:26 amThis product interests me as my son is a freshman. We use Goodreads to keep a list, but this is more thorough.
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 12:17 pmBest wishes!
Tracylee says
August 21, 2015 at 1:00 pmI believe that this would be am invaluable tool in our homeschool arsenal. Super excited to give it a try. I’ve been looking for something that would mimick or mirror the Accelerated Reader program my daughter enjoyed so much as a young reader.
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 10:48 pmI hope it’s what you’ve been looking for then!
Alexandra David says
August 21, 2015 at 2:40 pmWith 7 kids I’m always behind checking my kids assignments. I’d love some help.
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 10:51 pmI find myself behind in checking assignments a lot and I only have 5 children! 🙂 Reading Portfolio could definitely help with keeping your older children accountable with less burden on you..
Stephanie Heiliger says
August 21, 2015 at 4:03 pmWith 3 teens that are all avid readers I love the idea of having a program like this to help keep up with all of their literary accomplishments.
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:11 pmSounds like they keep you busy, Stephanie! 🙂
Ivory says
August 21, 2015 at 7:23 pmThis sounds like a wonderful tool. Thanks for sharing.
danielle says
August 21, 2015 at 7:35 pmI have a going into 9th Grader, the thought of which is causing me to lose sleep at nights! Not really…but like you said, it weighs heavy on my heart that I’m setting him up for success. I’d love to win this and give it a try.
Jo says
August 21, 2015 at 10:56 pmKeep up the good work, mama, and blessings to you during the high school journey!
Nancy Stornes says
August 21, 2015 at 9:19 pmWow. Hopefully I will win.
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:17 pmBest wishes!
Sherry Robinson says
August 21, 2015 at 9:54 pmI did not know such a neat site existed. Thank you for letting us know and for the opportunity to use it with the giveaway!
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:16 pmSo glad you liked it, Sherry!
Jessica Everette says
August 21, 2015 at 11:28 pmWhat a great way to keep tabs on what students are reading and understanding!
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:12 pmI think so too, Jessica!
PS says
August 22, 2015 at 9:34 amI used to read every book my kids read and made quizzes for them. I ran out of time for that a long time ago. This looks like a great alternative.
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:13 pmIt can be hard to keep up with it all!
Sharon N says
August 22, 2015 at 9:57 amI have tried ‘paper’ book logs in the past for my son, which always turned into me filling them out or they didn’t get done. This looks like something that he might actually complete because there is no writing on paper involved and his competitive side would desire a perfect score for every book.
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:10 pmI understand having a child who avoids writing, Sharon. The point system may drive your son’s competitive side also. Sounds like Reading Portfolio may be a good fit for you all!
Melissa B. says
August 22, 2015 at 10:26 amThis looks great! With two high school students I can never keep up with what they are reading or what they have finished reading… and quizzes…
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:15 pmGlad you liked it, Melissa!
Hartlandmama says
August 22, 2015 at 1:22 pmMy kids are avid readers, but sometimes I wonder if they are really comprehending what they read. This sounds like a great tool to help them gain more from their reading. Thanks for the opportunity to try this out!
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:14 pmYou really have to know the story to pass the quiz. It’s a great way to measure comprehension!
Donna N. says
August 22, 2015 at 2:13 pmI like the idea of keeping track. My youngest is an avid reader, but I have had a tough time logging what she has read. This would give her credit for all of her hard work!
Jo says
August 22, 2015 at 9:14 pmI have a hard time keeping up with it as well, Donna!
Kendra Artz says
August 23, 2015 at 7:32 amWe are heading into those high school years so this sounds like a great idea.
Layna says
August 23, 2015 at 8:12 amJust about to graduate one son and this would have been really helpful! My second son started 9th grade this year, what a great idea!!
Susan says
August 23, 2015 at 11:20 amA nice resource!
Becky M says
August 23, 2015 at 6:01 pmthis is a great idea! I am always having a hard time keeping up with what my son reads.
Amanda says
August 24, 2015 at 1:59 amThanks for recommending this! It looks very interesting. I will look into it some more.