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TranscriptPro is the type of software that is called a “wizard.” As such, it will walk you through a series of specific data entry fields where you will provide the required information. Explanations are available in the form of “Help” buttons which are earmarked by a [?] in a box. When you are ready to print your transcript, the data file you have created will be merged with the transcript format to give you a professional document. Click here to see sample transcripts.

Instructions are printed on the inside of the front cover of your CD-Rom case.
You can also click here for a PDF copy of our tip sheet.

At this time we do not have a version of TranscriptPro available that has been specifically prepared for Mac computers. However, many of our customers have used TranscriptPro successfully on their Macs with one of PC emulator programs, such as Virtual PC or Parallel. Many of the newer Mac computers also allow users to boot up either as a Mac or as a PC.

Absolutely not! You may order any Education PLUS transcript product by calling us at 317-222-1695 between 2-6 p.m., M-F, East Coast Time. TranscriptPro is shipped to our customers on a CD-Rom and then installed on their individual computers. After installation you will remove the disk and run the program from your hard drive. Thus, your data input and storage never interact with the internet.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the indiscretions of a few inconvenience the majority. The TranscriptPro password (registration/authorization code) is a copyright protection that requires the user to enter a computer-generated jumble of letters and numbers that matches a specific presentation of parent/guardian names for all the transcripts produced in a given family. The password needs to be entered only the first time that you open TranscriptPro on your computer. The user license for TranscriptPro is limited to one family per CD-Rom purchase. Click here to learn how to obtain your password.

Absolutely—but you will need to be careful when working on multiple machines that you are always working with the latest version of your data file! It is also important that your computer has access to a printer.

Version 4 of the software was released in January 2009 to address the specific installation requirements of Vista. This version of TranscriptPro also installs smoothly on all Windows operating systems from Windows 98 through Vista.

Please send a request for help to info@edplus.com. Be sure to include your first and last name, a telephone number, and a time of day when you can be reached while at your computer. Give us a brief description of the difficulty you are having as well. We will contact you as soon as we possibly can. Please note, however, that since we are committed to being a family-friendly company, our offices are not open on weekends or holidays.

As a result of current technology, you may receive requests for transcripts to be sent electronically. You have two options when trying to send a transcript as an e-mail attachment: [1] Scan your printed copy, save the scanned image to a file, and then attach; or [2] Print your transcript to a PDF, save that file, and then attach.

You can create a PDF version of your transcripts by using one of the free downloadable PDF conversion programs, such as Pdf995, which has an easy-to-use interface that helps you to create PDF files by simply selecting the "print" command from any application. Pdf995 supports network file saving, fast user switching on XP, Citrix/Terminal Server, custom page sizes and large format printing. Pdf995 is a printer driver that works with any Postscript to PDF converter. In TranscriptPro you will be able to select the PDF Print Option by going to “Page Setup” in the “Print” menu. Free download is available at www.pdf995.com.

TranscriptPro automatically saves your work every time you exit the program.

As with any computer software Education PLUS highly recommends backing up your data file regularly and keeping a hard copy of your transcript(s) on file. Be sure to include the transcriptpro.dat file in the list of your periodic backups.

If you need to move your TranscriptPro program to a new computer, use the original disk to accomplish the installation. Then remove the disk, open the program from your hard drive, and enter your parent/guardian name(s) with the appropriate password. Close the program. Use your “Search” capability (usually found in your “Start” button menu), to locate the newly installed transcriptpro.dat file. Versions 1-3 of TranscriptPro store the data file in the TranscriptPro program folder. Vista stores the data file in another place. Copy the backup transcriptpro.dat file into the newly installed transcriptpro.dat file. Your computer will ask if you want to replace the new file with your copied file. Answer “yes.” When you re-open your program, the previous student data should appear.

Double click on “My Computer,” then on “Local Disk” or (C:) drive, then on “Program Files.” Versions 1-3 would be listed as “TranscriptPro,” and Version 4 would be listed as “EducationPlus.” Please note that your data file is stored separately as “transcriptpro.dat.” The location of this data file will vary according to the version of Windows that you are running and the version of TranscriptPro you are using. The easiest way to find your transcriptpro.dat file is by using the “Search” tool on your computer (usually located in the “Start” button menu).

The answer to this question depends upon your reporting needs. If your current version works well on your computer and does all the things that you need to do, you may continue to use it with confidence. If you find that you need some of the newer features, you may order the latest version of TranscriptPro at the current user’s discounted price of $29 + free shipping.

Version 2 added the capability to report grades on a semester basis and the capability to “weight” grades in the GPA calculations.

Version 3 added these options: South Carolina’s Uniform Grade Scale (UGS) for GPA calculations, the ability to report final grades with numeric averages instead of conventional letter grades, California’s credit system and the Indiana Core-40 credit system to replace traditional Carnegie Units, extended editing capability on the student course list, and the ability to preview transcripts on screen before printing.

Version 4 meets all the requirements for installation on Vista with these added options: the ability to customize the 4.0 GPA scale with any decimal increment you desire for factoring plus and minus grades into your GPA calculations, the ability to print one page of the transcript at a time, an updated SC Uniform Grade Scale, expanded explanations at the “Help” [?] buttons, and the ability to report PE courses and grades without including them in the student’s GPA.

Version 4 allows users of Version 3 to import  their existing transcript data. However, since there are so many additional features in Versions 3-4 than existed in the earlier versions, you will not be able to import data files from Version 1-2 into Version 4. We can help you with installation procedures for Version 4 that will leave your graduates’ transcripts intact.

No. We have standardized the transcript layout to reflect the data categories that are recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. If a specific category of the format does not apply to you, it is not a problem to simply leave it blank.

Please be aware that transcripts may not exceed 2 pages in length. Because print space for extracurricular activities is limited and printers vary in how many lines will fit, you may need to consolidate entries so that you don’t use more than 30 lines in this category. If in doubt, print a sample transcript to be sure that everything fits. Each activity entry must fit on one line since there is no paragraph wrap capability in the format. The transcript should list only an identification title for each activity and a parenthetical time designation summarizing the total length of the experience (e.g., 2000-2002 or 3 yrs).

Transcripts list only completed work—not work in progress. Thus, it is customary for colleges to receive incomplete transcripts during a student’s final year of high school with all work documented through the junior year. In such cases, parents need to plan an addendum sheet titled “Work in Progress” that lists current courses along with grades to date (if the college requests these). Final transcripts with senior work included should then be sent to the college within two weeks of graduation.

The “Lock this Transcript” or “Final” feature in no way changes the appearance of the transcript you have prepared. This lock is provided as a security option for families who are concerned that no one tampers with their final transcripts. Since clicking the lock or “final” feature will prevent you from making any future changes to your transcript(s), Education PLUS recommends that you avoid clicking the button unless absolutely necessary. The lock cannot be reversed once you enable it.

With several years of transcript production experience under our belts and several thousands families served with our training seminars and software, we have yet to hear any negative feedback on this issue. The bottom line is that your transcripts need to describe your academic program accurately and clearly. There are many home school experiences that simply do not fit the conventional high school model.

There are many situations in the tutorial framework of home education that make it very difficult to report a high school student’s work in the conventional groupings of freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. In these situations, you would be wise to organize your student’s academic achievements by subject areas: English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts, Practical Arts, Business, Physical Education, and Religious Studies.

Consider these situations:
[1] If the student’s work in a single subject area is spread out over several years (e.g., studying various topics in biology or world history as they relate to a unit study format).

[2] If the student was ready to begin studying subjects normally reserved for the high school years at an earlier time (e.g., a junior high student who takes algebra or geometry or is ready to work with high school texts in U.S. or world history, etc.)

[3] If the student is gifted in a particular subject area (e.g., music, art or apprenticeship fields, etc.), and you want to highlight the concentration of study in that area.

[4] If you decided that your son/daughter would benefit from an extra year between high school and college (essentially a “Grade  13” experience) to pursue special interests, but you don’t want to create the impression that he/she needed the extra year to complete graduation requirements.

Detailed information about the transcript production process is included in our Transcript Boot Camp on DVD seminar. This 4-hour presentation accompanied by a downloadable 76-page syllabus is especially designed for home educators. You will find answers to all your questions here. Group packages are also available. If you need record keeping help for high school projects, the instructions for the CreditPro system will be very helpful to you.

Never forget that as a home-educating family, you are not granting a state high school diploma to your child. Your transcripts are simply the certification that your child has met your own “school’s” requirements for graduation. You may mirror the state department of education guidelines for graduation if you wish, but you are not required to do so. It is also not necessary to satisfy any college admission requirements in order to graduate from high school—though, of course, if college is your goal, it does make sense to include the appropriate preparation in your child’s high school program.