Nebraska homeschool checklist for this year

Things to do, with their deadlines

• By July 15 each year the school will operate

  File the Statement of Election and Assurances with the Nebraska Department of Education (a certified birth certificate the first time).

  Source: Nebraska Department of Education: Exempt (Home) School FAQs 2026/27; Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 Private schools; election not to meet accreditation or approval requirements (Nebraska Legislature)

The state's own form: Statement of Election and Assurances (online or paper, Nebraska Department of Education).

All year

• All year

  Teach the subjects Nebraska names: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health.

  Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-1601 Private schools; election not to meet accreditation or approval requirements (Nebraska Legislature)
• All year

  Keep count of the hours. The department says there are no legal or regulatory requirements other than 1,032 hours of instruction (elementary grades) or 1,080 hours of instruction (secondary grades) for the school year. The parent chooses the school calendar. Hours can be prorated for a filing in the middle of the school year.

  Source: Nebraska Department of Education: Exempt (Home) School FAQs 2026/27
• All year

  The department's guidance says it does not collect grades or require progress reports. It advises keeping attendance data and a transcript of classes with grades for each child. The school must report attendance as the attendance law requires. Keep a record of immunizations if they apply (they need not be sent to the department).

  Source: Nebraska Department of Education: Exempt (Home) School FAQs 2026/27

Good habits (not in the law)

• Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.

• Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.