The homeschool record book: what to keep and how long
State law pages that name a time run from one year to permanent records. Whatever yours says, keep the high school years for good.
A homeschool record book holds attendance or hours, work samples, reading lists, test or evaluation results and, for teens, a transcript. How long to keep them depends on your state: of Peabody's 49 checked state law pages, 10 name a time, from one year to permanently. Keep a transcript and the record of high school courses for good, since colleges and employers ask later.
Checked October 27, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change: check your state's current law and its education department before you act.
Which states say how long?
These checked state records name a time in their records rule. Some times are for the family and some are what an office keeps; each row says which, in the record's words.
| State | What its record says |
|---|---|
| Colorado | The parent keeps each child's records permanently, including attendance data, test and evaluation results, and immunization records. The records must be produced to the school district that received your notice on 14 days' written notice if the superintendent has probable cause to believe the program is not in… |
| District of Columbia | Keep a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work, such as writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and assessments, across a range of subjects. Keep it for at least one year. OSSE may ask in writing to review it, at least 30 days ahead, and the regulation allows no more than two reviews a… |
| Florida | Keep a portfolio: a log of educational activities made at the time of instruction that names any reading materials used, plus samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials. The parent decides what goes in it and keeps it for 2 years. The superintendent may ask to inspect it with 15 days' written… |
| Georgia | The teaching parent writes an annual progress report for each student covering reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, and keeps each report for at least three years. Keep the nationally standardized test scores and records too. |
| Maine | Parents keep copies of the notices and assessments they file until the home instruction program ends, and must make them available to the commissioner on request. |
| Nevada | The law names no records to keep. The parent must be prepared to present the educational plan of instruction and proof of the child's identity to a court if the court requires it. The district keeps a copy of the written acknowledgment for not less than 15 years. |
| North Carolina | Keep annual attendance records and immunization records for each student, and keep the test results for at least one year. DNPE may ask to see them. DNPE recommends, but does not require, keeping a daily log and keeping records until the student graduates. |
| Washington | The yearly test or assessment becomes part of the child's permanent records. If the child moves to another school, the parent makes sure the test scores or assessment, immunization records and any other records kept about the instruction go to the new school. We did not find a rule in the statute asking for other… |
| West Virginia | A parent or legal guardian keeps copies of each student's Academic Assessment for three years. If the assessment does not show acceptable progress, start a remedial program, and after a second year without acceptable progress, send the county superintendent more evidence that appropriate instruction is being given. |
| Wisconsin | The law asks for no instruction records. DPI says the statutes give no agency or school district authority to monitor home programs or verify the hours, but recommends keeping records of the instruction, which employers, the military and colleges may ask for later. DPI says it is the parent's responsibility to keep… |
What goes in the book?
- Your filing: a copy of each notice, letter or affidavit you sent, and any reply. Ohio's record says to keep the superintendent's acknowledgement for the final year.
- Days or hours, if your state counts them.
- Work samples and a reading list, if your state asks for a portfolio.
- Test scores or the evaluator's letter, if your state asks for either.
- For teens: courses, credits, grades and course descriptions.
What if my state names no time?
Many records name none, and some ask for no records at all. Then keep what you would need to show a school your child joins, and the high school record for good. North Carolina's record says its office recommends, but does not require, keeping records until the student graduates.
How long does the Record Book keep things?
As long as your browser keeps its data on that device. Clearing site data, or a new computer, starts empty, which is why the book asks for a backup after 40 changes. Keep the backup files, and a printed copy of each year's sheets, for as long as your state's row says, and longer for high school.
A shelf plan
- One folder per school year: the printed attendance or hours sheet, the portfolio printout and the year's report card.
- One folder for filings: every notice and reply.
- One folder for high school: each year's transcript printout and course descriptions.
- Backup files saved somewhere other than the computer you use.
Keep this year's book
Mark attendance, add work to the portfolio, and keep teens' courses in the transcript. Your state's Keep line is in what to file, by state.
Sources
- Colorado: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5 (checked October 27, 2026)
- District of Columbia: OSSE: Student Portfolio Review (checked October 27, 2026)
- Florida: Florida Statutes 1002.41, Home education programs (legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Georgia: GaDOE: Georgia Home School, information about home study programs (August 2025) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Maine: 20-A M.R.S. 5001-A, compulsory attendance (Maine Legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Nevada: NRS chapter 388D Alternative School Choices (Nevada Legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- North Carolina: DNPE: How to start a home school (checked October 27, 2026)
- Washington: RCW 28A.200.010, home-based instruction duties of parents (Washington Legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- West Virginia: W.Va. Code 18-8-1, compulsory school attendance exemptions (WV Legislature) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Wisconsin: DPI: Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschooling) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Ohio: Ohio Revised Code 3321.042 (home education) (checked October 27, 2026)