Every state has different record-keeping requirements. Some need detailed quarterly reports. Others need nothing at all. Here is what your state expects.
Record-keeping is one of the most misunderstood parts of homeschooling. Some parents keep too much, spending hours on documentation that their state never asks for. Others keep too little and run into problems during evaluations or when transferring to a new school.
The reality is that requirements vary dramatically. A family in Texas has zero record-keeping obligations under the law. A family in New York must submit quarterly reports, annual assessments, and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) every year. And a family in Pennsylvania needs to maintain a portfolio with work samples, a log of materials used, and annual evaluations by a licensed evaluator.
This guide breaks down exactly what records each state requires, organized by record type. Use it to figure out what applies to your state, then check our record-keeping organization guide for practical tips on how to keep everything in order.
Across all 50 states, homeschool records fall into six main categories. Not every state requires all of them, and some states require none at all.
Daily or monthly logs showing when instruction took place. Some states specify minimum days (typically 170 to 180), while others count hours (usually 720 to 900 per year). About 30 states require some form of attendance tracking.
Common formats: Daily check-off calendar, monthly summary log, or annual hour count.
A written outline of what subjects are being taught and what materials are being used. High-regulation states may require this to be submitted before the school year starts. Others only require you to keep it on file at home.
Common formats: Subject list with textbook names, formal IHIP (New York), or a letter of intent listing planned subjects.
Results from standardized tests (like the Iowa Test or CAT) or evaluations by a licensed teacher or evaluator. Required in about 20 states. Some states let you choose between testing and an evaluation.
Common formats: Test score printout, evaluator's written report, or portfolio review by a certified teacher.
Collections of student work showing progress throughout the year. May include writing samples, math worksheets, art projects, science lab reports, and reading logs. Typically required alongside or instead of standardized testing.
Common formats: Physical binder, digital portfolio, or annual showcase for an evaluator.
Proof of vaccinations or a signed exemption form. Requirements vary by state and may only apply if your child participates in public school activities or dual enrollment. Some states require immunization records regardless of enrollment status.
Common formats: Doctor-issued vaccination record, state health department form, or religious/philosophical exemption letter.
Periodic or annual summaries of academic progress. High school transcripts become especially important for college admissions, military service, or employment verification. Even in states that do not require them, transcripts are strongly recommended for high schoolers.
Common formats: Quarterly narrative report, annual progress summary, or formal high school transcript with GPA and course credits.
Not sure what your state needs? Our compliance checker tells you in 30 seconds.
Check Your StateAbout 30 states require homeschool families to track attendance in some way. Requirements fall into three tiers.
These states specify a minimum number of instructional days per year. You need a log showing each day instruction took place.
| State | Required Days | Submit to District? |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 9 calendar months | No (keep on file) |
| Virginia | 180 days | No |
| Washington | 180 days | No |
| Oregon | None specified, but must notify | No |
| South Carolina | 180 days (4.5 hours each) | No |
| Georgia | 180 days (4.5 hours each) | No (keep on file) |
| Florida | None specified | Annual evaluation only |
These states track instructional hours rather than days. You will need to log either daily hours or maintain a running total.
| State | Required Hours | Submit to District? |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 900 hours | Yes (annual notification) |
| Colorado | 172 days / 968 hours (secondary) | No |
| Pennsylvania | 900 hours (elementary) / 990 (secondary) | Part of portfolio |
| Minnesota | None specified, but must report annually | Yes |
| West Virginia | None specified | Annual assessment |
These states do not require attendance tracking for homeschoolers.
About 20 states require homeschooled students to take standardized tests or undergo evaluations at regular intervals. Here is how the requirements break down.
Students must take a state-approved standardized test every year. Results must be kept on file and sometimes submitted to the school district.
| State | Testing Frequency | Must Submit? | Alternative? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Annual (grades 4-8, then yearly) | Yes | No |
| Oregon | Grades 3, 5, 8, 10 | Yes | No |
| South Dakota | Grades 2, 4, 8, 11 | Yes | No |
| Arkansas | Annual (same as public school) | Yes | No |
These states require assessment but let parents choose between a standardized test and an evaluation by a licensed teacher or evaluator.
| State | Options | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Standardized test OR evaluator review | Annual |
| Virginia | Standardized test OR evaluation | Annual |
| Florida | Standardized test OR evaluation OR portfolio | Annual |
| North Carolina | Nationally standardized test | Annual |
| Georgia | Standardized test every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| West Virginia | Standardized test OR portfolio review | Annual |
| Maine | Standardized test OR review OR other | Annual |
These states do not mandate standardized testing or formal evaluations for homeschooled students.
Many states require homeschool families to teach specific subjects, but the documentation requirements vary. Some states need a written curriculum plan filed with the district before the school year begins. Others just require that certain subjects be covered.
These states require you to submit or maintain a formal description of what you plan to teach.
| State | What to Submit | When |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) | Before school year starts |
| Pennsylvania | Notarized affidavit listing subjects + objectives | August 1 annually |
| Vermont | Detailed enrollment notice with curriculum | Before school year starts |
| Rhode Island | Curriculum plan for approval | Before school year starts |
| Massachusetts | Education plan for school committee approval | Before school year starts |
These states mandate certain subjects be taught but do not require you to submit a curriculum plan. You should keep records on file showing these subjects were covered.
Commonly required subjects include: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies/History, Health, Physical Education, and (at the high school level) Government and Economics.
These states do not specify which subjects homeschool families must teach.
Some states require homeschool families to maintain a portfolio of student work throughout the year. This typically includes writing samples, completed assignments, book lists, and evidence of progress across subjects.
| State | Portfolio Required? | What to Include |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Log of materials, work samples, evaluator review |
| New York | Yes | Quarterly reports with hours and grade details |
| Florida | Optional (evaluation alternative) | Work samples, log of activities, reading list |
| Virginia | Optional (evaluation alternative) | Evidence of progress used at evaluator's discretion |
| West Virginia | Optional (testing alternative) | Portfolio reviewed by certified teacher |
| Maine | Optional (assessment alternative) | Student work, teacher review |
Even in states that do not require portfolios, maintaining one is smart. If you ever need to re-enroll in public school, apply to college, or respond to a compliance inquiry, a portfolio provides solid proof of your child's education.
Related guide: Building a Homeschool Portfolio That Impresses
Build your binder in minutes. Blue Folder compiles attendance, work samples, and state forms into one export.
Try It FreeMost states do not specify a retention period. Here are practical guidelines based on record type and common legal recommendations.
Pennsylvania explicitly requires records to be maintained until the child is no longer of compulsory school age. New York requires that annual assessment results be retained. For most other states, the safest approach is to keep everything for at least five years and keep transcripts forever.
Most states accept digital records, but a few still require physical signatures or original documents for certain filings. Here is a practical breakdown.
Tip: The best system is both. Keep originals in a physical binder and maintain digital backups in cloud storage or an app like Blue Folder. If one copy is lost or damaged, you always have the other.
If your family moves to a different state, you will likely need to adjust your record-keeping practices. Here is what to do.
Related guide: Understanding Homeschool Regulations by State
Required records vary by state, but common categories include attendance logs, immunization records, curriculum or course descriptions, standardized test scores or evaluation reports, and work samples or portfolios. Some states like Texas and Alaska have no specific record requirements, while states like New York and Pennsylvania require detailed records including quarterly reports and annual assessments.
Most states do not specify a retention period, but best practice is to keep records for at least 3 to 5 years after the school year ends. High school transcripts and graduation-related records should be kept permanently. Some states like Pennsylvania require records to be kept until the student is no longer of compulsory school age.
No. About 30 states require some form of attendance tracking, but the specifics vary widely. Some states require daily attendance logs with specific day counts, while others only require that you certify equivalent instruction was provided. States like Texas, Alaska, and Idaho have no attendance record requirements at all.
It depends on your state. Some states require homeschool families to maintain immunization records even though the child is not attending a public school. Others only require them if the child participates in public school extracurricular activities or dual-enrollment programs.
Consequences range from nothing in low-regulation states to serious legal issues. In high-regulation states, failure to maintain required records can result in your homeschool program being placed on probation, a requirement to enroll your child in public school, or truancy charges. Even in lenient states, keeping records protects you if your family is ever questioned.