Homeschool Record Keeping

Homeschool record keeping is probably not on most people's list of "favorite things to do." Yet, the majority of us will be required to maintain proof of homeschooling activities and homeschool courses for our children for different reasons.

Usually, a person requests verification for the purpose of creating a final homeschool diploma, transcript or similar evidence of completion of required course work.

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State Requirements

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There are some states that have different homeschooling requirements for their home educating families, but my experience has been that most will want these or similar forms:

1. attendance forms showing daily record of instructional times
2. proof of physical education compliance
3. list of core subjects and electives for each child
4. current immunization information or a Religious Exemption form or physician's letter
5. standardized test scores

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Umbrella School Requirements

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For those of us who are accountable to a church-related or "umbrella school" for our records, they typically want these forms:

1. registration/enrollment forms for each child
2. forms similar to those wanted by the state
3. grade or progress reports
4. writing samples
5. lesson plans

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Other Forms of Documentation

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Although it may not be required by the state or a church-related or umbrella school, some parents choose to keep other forms of documents. These could be reading lists, worksheets, proof of field trips and activities, and any paperwork they believe would substantiate their efforts in the home school.

Occasionally, this proof may be for an ex-spouse, skeptical spouse, or to create a portfolio should they want to enroll their children in a traditional public or private school.

Develop a solid home school record keeping procedure now so that whether you have to provide documentation for the state, an umbrella school or a doubting spouse, you will have everything you need.

Keep all your relevant information together in a ring binder, pad folio or folder for each child. It is also a lot of fun to pull out their old papers and see how much they have improved through the years!

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