The Homeschool Records Checklist
What to keep all year, so any question - from an evaluator, a new state, a sports league, or a college - already has an answer.
Even if your state requires nothing: families move mid-year to states that ask for records, sports leagues and co-ops ask for attendance, driver's ed and work permits sometimes want enrollment proof, and high school transcripts are built from exactly these notes. Records you keep casually now are paperwork you never scramble for later.
The core six - every family, every state
Attendance countA running tally of school days (and hours, if your state counts those). Many states use 180 days or roughly 900 hours as the benchmark, so it's a sensible target anywhere.
Subject list per childThe subjects you're covering this year. Update it when things change.
A one-line daily logOne sentence per subject about what actually happened. This is the backbone every other record is built from.
Dated work samplesA few pieces per subject from the start, middle, and end of the year - that spread is what shows growth.
Book listTitle, author, and roughly when each book was finished. Note which were read aloud.
Milestones & field tripsProjects, outings, performances, "firsts" - with photos where you can. These make thin months look like the real learning they were.
If your state asks for more
Notice or annual filingKnow your state's form and its deadline, and calendar it for next year the day you file.
PortfolioIf your state reviews one, it's usually your log plus work samples - which the core six already built.
Annual assessmentAn evaluation or standardized test where required. Book the evaluator before the busy season.
Copies of everything you submitKeep the filing, the confirmation, and any response - your copy is your proof.
End-of-year wrap-up
Final day and hour count
Completed book list
Best work samples per subject
A short year summary per childA paragraph on what they learned and where they grew. Future-you will be glad.
Store it together, keep it at least two yearsSome states expect records kept for a year or two after; it's also exactly what you'll want if anyone ever asks.
thehomeschoollog.com · The app keeps every item on this list automatically.