An attendance log is a record documenting the days and hours a student engages in homeschool instruction, serving as proof of compliance with state requirements and providing educational documentation for transcripts and school transitions.
What is Attendance Log?
Attendance logs track when learning happens. For homeschoolers, this typically means recording school days or hours to demonstrate compliance with state requirements. Most states requiring attendance documentation expect families to show 180 days of instruction per year, though some specify hours instead. Beyond compliance, attendance records serve practical purposes: they're essential for high school transcripts, scholarship applications, college admissions, and smooth transitions if your child ever enters traditional school. Even in states without requirements, many families keep logs for their own reference and peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- 35 states require some form of homeschool record-keeping including attendance
- Alabama, Indiana, and Mississippi require only attendance records
- Most states expect 180 days of instruction or 600-1,000 hours annually
- Track attendance as you go rather than reconstructing records later
- Keep records for multiple years even if not required
What to Track
The essentials are simple: student name, school year dates, and a checkmark or notation for each completed school day. Some states require hours per day or per subject. Optional additions include subjects covered, activities completed, field trips, and running tallies of total days. Florida specifically requires a "log of educational activities made contemporaneously with instruction." California requires private/home schools to maintain attendance registers showing absences. Check your state's specific requirements before deciding how detailed your log needs to be.
State Requirements Overview
Tools for Tracking
For paper-based systems, free printable templates from sites like The Simple Homeschooler and Homeschooling 4 Him work well. North Carolina even provides an official state template. Digital options include HomeTrail (free online tracker), Homeschool Tracker (20+ years in operation), and Modify ($4.99/month after trial). Google Sheets offers flexibility and anywhere access. The Homeschool Attendance iOS app includes widgets for quick marking. Choose the method you'll actually use consistently. A simple calendar with checkmarks beats an elaborate system that gets abandoned.
Best Practices
Record attendance the same day whenever possible. Weekly updates are acceptable if daily isn't realistic. Calculate monthly totals to stay on track toward your annual goal. Keep records in one consistent location. Make copies of anything you submit. Even if your state doesn't require attendance logs, maintain them anyway for future moves to stricter states, college applications, and family documentation. When estimating hours for audiobooks or curriculum, the "Audible hack" uses audiobook lengths to calculate reading time. Most importantly, don't overcomplicate it. A checkmark is usually sufficient.
The Bottom Line
Attendance logging doesn't have to be burdensome. The simplest approach that meets your state's requirements is the best approach. Track as you go rather than scrambling at year-end. Use digital tools if they fit your workflow, or stick with a paper calendar if that's more reliable for you. The goal is having documentation available if ever needed for compliance verification, school transitions, or college applications. Consistency matters more than complexity.
