Why is it so important? Good records equip your student with proof of education for continuing their education, entering the military, or passing an employer’s background check. It may also prove valuable if there are ever any questions about your homeschool.
Although the Massachusetts homeschool statute does not explicitly require recordkeeping, certain mandatory assessments require various records and work samples. (See How to Comply with Massachusetts’s Homeschool Law, Part 1 of this series.) Regardless of which type of assessment will be used for your child, we recommend you keep the following important records for your homeschool:
- Attendance records
- Information on the textbooks and workbooks your student used
- Samples of your student’s schoolwork
- Correspondence with school officials
- Portfolios and test results
- Any other documents showing that your child is receiving an appropriate education in compliance with the law
You should maintain these records for at least two years.
You should also keep your student’s high school records and proof of compliance with the home education laws during the high school years (including any type of home education notice that you file with state or local officials) on file forever.
Please note: The information on this page has been reviewed by an attorney, but it should not be taken as legal advice specific to your individual situation.