diff --git a/docs/ADVANCED_STATIC_TYPING.md b/docs/ADVANCED_STATIC_TYPING.md
index 7d6e592..cfba194 100644
--- a/docs/ADVANCED_STATIC_TYPING.md
+++ b/docs/ADVANCED_STATIC_TYPING.md
@@ -102,6 +102,8 @@ Function square's return value could not be understood yet. Use a NUMBER express
 
 Use a known typed value, such as a parameter checked with `CHECK TYPE`, while broader expression inference remains future work.
 
+The same learner-facing diagnostic applies to compatibility functions written with `TAKES` / `LEARNED`, so older lessons do not get a less-helpful error when a return expression is still unknown.
+
 Known NUMBER parameters can also be used in arithmetic return expressions. Numeric division is accepted when both operands are known numbers:
 
 ```claro
diff --git a/docs/CURRENT_STATUS.md b/docs/CURRENT_STATUS.md
index 2f0a3b8..a7d5185 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT_STATUS.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT_STATUS.md
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ Ready now:
 - `CHECK TYPE` explains when `IS` is present but the expression is missing, for example `CHECK TYPE IS NUMBER` reports `CHECK TYPE needs an expression before IS. Try: CHECK TYPE score IS NUMBER.`
 - `CHECK TYPE` rejects extra words after a valid expected type with a direct repair hint, so `CHECK TYPE score IS NUMBER TEXT` explains that only one type belongs in the check
 - `CHECK TYPE` rejects unknown expected type names with a beginner-facing list of supported types
+- typed function return diagnostics also identify an unknown return expression in compatibility `TAKES` / `LEARNED` functions, matching the modern function and object-method guidance
 - `TYPE OF` reports a direct repair hint when the learner forgets `AS`, for example `TYPE OF score` suggests `TYPE OF score AS kind`
 - `TYPE OF` rejects extra words after its result name with a direct repair hint, so `TYPE OF score AS kind extra` explains that only one result name belongs there; typed `TEACH ... RETURNS TYPE` declarations likewise reject extra words after the return type with a direct repair hint
 - typed `TEACH ... RETURNS` declarations reject a missing return type with a direct repair hint, such as `Function greet needs a return type after RETURNS. Add a type such as NUMBER.` The same diagnostic names the complete class and method, including compatibility `TAKES` / `LEARNED` methods: `Method Player.score needs a return type after RETURNS. Add a type such as NUMBER.`
diff --git a/docs/ROADMAP.md b/docs/ROADMAP.md
index 37d2d3b..7eeeb25 100644
--- a/docs/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/docs/ROADMAP.md
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ Keep declared return types honest: `claro typecheck` now reports friendly diagno
 8q.10. Keep return statements beginner-readable: typed returns now identify simple extra tokens after a value and explain that `RETURN` accepts one expression, with focused release validation coverage.
 8q.11. Keep extra-token return diagnostics aligned across syntax generations: modern and compatibility functions and object methods now have focused fixtures for `RETURN value extra`, so errors keep the function or class-and-method name and the same repair hint.
 8q.12. Keep empty typed-return diagnostics aligned across syntax generations: modern and compatibility functions and object methods now have focused fixtures for bare `RETURN`, so each form explains that the declared type needs an expression.
+8q.13. Keep unknown typed-return diagnostics aligned across syntax generations: compatibility `TAKES` / `LEARNED` functions now have a focused fixture for an uninferable return expression, matching modern functions and methods.
 
 ### 1. Strong static types
 
diff --git a/tests/test_validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py b/tests/test_validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
index 69643a1..a1b423f 100644
--- a/tests/test_validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
+++ b/tests/test_validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
@@ -71,6 +71,12 @@ class ValidateTypecheckDiagnosticsTests(unittest.TestCase):
             MODULE.EXPECTED_OK,
         )
 
+    def test_includes_unknown_compatibility_function_return_expression_fixture(self):
+        self.assertIn(
+            "tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro",
+            MODULE.EXPECTED,
+        )
+
     def test_includes_missing_object_name_fixture(self):
         self.assertIn(
             "tests/typecheck_missing_object_name_bad.claro",
diff --git a/tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro b/tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa8d683
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+TEACH square TAKES amount RETURNS NUMBER
+    CHECK TYPE amount IS NUMBER
+    RETURN missing
+LEARNED
diff --git a/tools/validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py b/tools/validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
index 87468b3..0e174a4 100644
--- a/tools/validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
+++ b/tools/validate_typecheck_diagnostics.py
@@ -130,6 +130,9 @@ EXPECTED = {
     "tests/typecheck_function_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro": [
         "tests/typecheck_function_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro:2: Function square's return value could not be understood yet. Use a NUMBER expression after RETURN.",
     ],
+    "tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro": [
+        "tests/typecheck_function_compat_unknown_return_expression_bad.claro:3: Function square's return value could not be understood yet. Use a NUMBER expression after RETURN.",
+    ],
     "tests/typecheck_function_missing_return_bad.claro": [
         "tests/typecheck_function_missing_return_bad.claro:3: Function square declares RETURNS NUMBER but has no RETURN statement. Add RETURN with a NUMBER value.",
     ],