North Dakota Homeschool Record Keeping: What to Track & How

by | May 31, 2026 | Homeschooling in North Dakota, Record Keeping & Compliance

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North Dakota Homeschool Record Keeping: What to Track & How

North Dakota requires you to keep records. This isn’t paperwork bureaucracy—it’s proof that you’re educating your child legally and providing appropriate instruction. Good records also protect you if questions arise.

Key Takeaways

  • ND law requires documentation that you’re providing 175 days/4 hours per day of instruction and meeting curriculum requirements.
  • Records must be maintained during the homeschool year and kept for a reasonable time after (recommend: 3–5 years minimum).
  • Core records: attendance/instruction logs, curriculum materials used, student work samples, assessments, test scores, and accommodations (if applicable).
  • Organization matters less than completeness and accessibility. Find a system and stick with it.
  • ND doesn’t mandate specific record format; digital or paper both work.
  • Portable records (portfolio) help if you PCS or face questions from a new district.
  • Records are also invaluable for college applications and future educational planning.

What to Track: The Core Docs

1. Attendance and Instruction Log

What: Daily or weekly record of instruction days and hours.

Why: ND requires 175 days/school year, 4 hours per day minimum. This log is your proof you met the requirement.

Format (choose one):

  • Calendar approach: Mark each instruction day on a calendar. Total at year-end.
  • Log sheet: Simple table: Date | Subject | Time | Notes.
  • Digital tool: Google Sheets, Airtable, or homeschool planning software (Trello, Notion, Schoology).

Example:
“`
Date | Subject | Time | Notes
Sept 5 | Math + LA | 2.5h | Workbook + reading
Sept 6 | Science + History| 2h | Experiment + textbook
Sept 7 | [No instruction] | — | Field trip day (counted as instruction)
“`

Field trips count as instruction if you’re learning. Document the purpose (“Natural history museum — biology learning”) so the log reflects intent.

What’s 4 hours? Active instruction—teaching, reading aloud, assignments, discussion. Passive activities (watching TV documentaries without follow-up, independent reading without engagement) don’t count.

2. Curriculum Documentation

What: Record of materials used for each subject.

Why: Proves you have a curriculum and what it consists of. Shows you’re covering required subjects (reading, language arts, math, science—ND specifies these in grades 4+).

What to keep:

  • Textbook titles and publishers
  • Online program names and accounts
  • Workbook titles
  • Course names (if using online programs or tutors)
  • Unit studies or thematic materials

Format:
Create a simple list per grade level:

Grade 3 Curriculum 2024-2025:

  • Math: Math Mammoth Grade 3 Complete Curriculum
  • Language Arts: IEW Writing and Rhetoric (Level 1) + Veritas Press Great Books
  • Science: Mystery of History Level 1 + Library books (botany/ecology unit)
  • History/Social Studies: Story of the World Volume 2 + Living History activities
  • Electives: Outschool (coding class), piano lessons

This demonstrates you have a plan and you’re using recognized materials.

3. Student Work Samples

What: Examples of your child’s actual work—assignments, quizzes, essays, projects, artwork.

Why: Demonstrates learning is happening. Shows your child’s progress and skill development.

What to save:

  • Writing samples (essays, stories, journal entries)
  • Math work (problem sets, tests)
  • Science projects (lab reports, diagrams)
  • History projects (research papers, timelines)
  • Artwork, portfolio pieces
  • Tests and quizzes

How to organize:

  • Portfolio folder: Physical or digital folder per subject, per term.
  • By unit: Keep work from each unit together (science unit on photosynthesis, math unit on fractions).
  • By grading period: Keep work from each quarter/semester together.

How much? Aim for 5–10 samples per subject per term. This shows progression without excessive bulk.

Digitize: Photograph or scan physical work into a digital folder. This creates a backup and makes review/sharing easier.

4. Assessments and Grades

What: Results of tests, quizzes, or assessments showing your child’s progress.

Why: Demonstrates your child is learning and meeting standards. Required especially in grades 4, 6, 8, 10 (ND testing grades).

What to track:

  • ND mandated test scores (grades 4, 6, 8, 10)
  • Curriculum-embedded tests (most textbooks include tests)
  • Online program assessments (Khan Academy, IXL, etc.)
  • Subject-specific assessments (reading level checks, math placement tests)
  • Portfolio-based progress tracking

Format:
Create a simple grade tracking sheet:

Grade 4, 2024-2025 Progress
| Subject | Assessment | Date | Score/Result | Comments |
|———|———–|——|————-|———-|
| Math | Chapter 3 Test | Oct 15 | 88% | Solid understanding |
| Reading | Guided Reading Level | Sept 1 | Level M | On track for grade level |
| Science | Unit 1 Quiz | Oct 20 | 92% | Excellent mastery |
| State Test | ND Reading (Grade 4) | March 5 | 62nd percentile | Above threshold |

This shows progress and competency over time.

5. Special Accommodations (if applicable)

What: Record of any accommodations or modifications for special needs, ADHD, giftedness, etc.

Why: Proves you’re providing appropriate education tailored to your child. Essential if you ever need to explain your approach.

What to document:

  • Any diagnosis or educational assessment
  • Accommodations provided (extended time, alternative format, movement breaks, etc.)
  • Modifications to curriculum or instruction
  • Services used (tutoring, OT, speech, etc.)
  • Progress related to accommodations

Example:
ADHD Accommodations Log, Grade 5

  • Diagnosis: ADHD (Inattentive type), diagnosed by Dr. [Name], March 2024
  • Accommodations: 25-minute focused work blocks with 5-minute movement breaks; fidget tools available; math scheduled during optimal focus hours (9–10:15 AM)
  • Progress: Math fluency improved from 65% to 85% after accommodation implementation; reading comprehension stable
  • Tutoring: Weekly math tutoring with certified tutor (ESA-funded) for fractions unit

Organization Systems: Pick One and Stick with It

Option 1: Folder System (Physical or Digital)

Create a folder structure:
“`
Homeschool Records – 2024-2025/
├── Attendance & Logs
├── Curriculum Documentation
├── Math
│ ├── Work Samples
│ ├── Tests
│ └── Progress Notes
├── Language Arts
│ ├── Writing Samples
│ ├── Reading Level Checks
│ └── Tests
├── Science
├── History
├── Special Needs (if applicable)
│ ├── Assessments
│ ├── Accommodations Log
│ └── Progress Notes
└── ND Testing Results
“`

Option 2: Digital Tools

Homeschool management software:

  • Trello, Notion, Schoology (free or low-cost)
  • These include attendance tracking, grade recording, note-taking.

Simple spreadsheet:

  • Google Sheets with tabs for Attendance, Curriculum, Grades, Notes.
  • Free, accessible anywhere, easy to share.

Portfolio platforms:

  • Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox for storing/organizing scanned work samples.

Option 3: Hybrid

Keep attendance logs digitally (easier to track progress). Store work samples in a physical portfolio binder. Maintain curriculum list in a spreadsheet.

The key: Whatever system you choose, maintain it consistently throughout the year. Don’t scramble to document everything in May.

Timeline: When to Document

Ongoing (during school year):

  • Add attendance daily or weekly.
  • Store work samples as completed.
  • Record test scores within a week of testing.
  • Update progress notes monthly or after completing units.

Quarterly:

  • Review attendance logs (did we hit minimums?).
  • Assess curriculum coverage (are we on track?).
  • Evaluate student progress (any adjustments needed?).

End of year:

  • Compile final attendance totals.
  • Create summary of curriculum completed.
  • Assemble portfolio of best work samples.
  • Document final assessments/grades.
  • File organized records for storage.

Keep for: Minimum 3 years. Some families keep permanently for their own records.

If You’re Audited or Questioned

If your district asks about your homeschool records (rare but possible):

  • Pull your organized portfolio and log.
  • Show attendance documentation (175 days/4 hours).
  • Show curriculum materials and work samples.
  • Demonstrate your child’s progress (tests, assessments).
  • Explain any special accommodations or approach.

Clean, organized records take 20 minutes to review. Scrambled records take hours and create suspicion.

Protection: Good records are your best protection. They show you’re intentional, compliant, and serious about education.

Real-World Tracking: An Example

Single parent, homeschooling Grade 3

System: Digital + physical hybrid

  • Attendance: Google Sheets, updated weekly
  • Work samples: Physical folder in filing cabinet
  • Curriculum list: Word document in Google Drive
  • Tests/assessments: Scanned and filed in folder

Time investment: 10 minutes/week for documentation.

Result: At year-end, she compiles a 1-page summary of the year, attaches a portfolio showing work progression, and stores the organized file. Complete documentation took ~2 hours at year-end.

This is realistic, manageable, and protective.

The Bottom Line

Record keeping isn’t punishment. It’s clarity. Good records:

  • Protect you legally.
  • Show your child their progress.
  • Help you identify gaps and adjust.
  • Make testing and transitions easier.
  • Demonstrate intentionality to anyone reviewing your homeschool.

Spend 10 minutes a week documenting. At year-end, you’ll have a complete, organized portfolio. It’s the difference between “homeschooling” and “intentional homeschooling.”