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Louisiana requires 180 instructional days per year. That’s clear. What’s less clear is how to count and document those days in a homeschool setting. This guide walks you through practical record-keeping that satisfies BESE requirements and makes your life easier.
Key Takeaways:
- 180 instructional days per year is the legal minimum
- Days, not hours, are what you track and report
- Five instructional days per week × 36 weeks = 180 days
- Keep simple attendance records showing each instructional day
- You won’t submit daily records to BESE, but you must have them if requested during a compliance audit
- Portfolio-based assessment makes this easier to document naturally
What Counts as an Instructional Day?
An instructional day is one in which your child receives instruction in required subjects. Louisiana defines this broadly, giving you flexibility:
Counts as instruction:
- Lessons in the core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies)
- Reading assignments with comprehension work
- Math problem sets or practice
- Science experiments or reading
- History readings and projects
- Writing assignments
- Online coursework
- Co-op classes
- Educational field trips with follow-up work
Does NOT count:
- Vacation days
- Sick days
- Holidays
- Weekends (unless that’s your regular school day)
- Administrative days
- Enrichment with no instructional content (pure recreation)
The key question: Did your child receive substantive instruction in your required subjects? If yes, it’s an instructional day.
Simple Attendance Tracking Systems
You don’t need a complex system. Pick one that fits your style:
Option 1: Calendar Marking
Use a physical or digital calendar. Mark each instructional day with an X or checkmark. At year-end, count the marked days. Simple, visual, done.
Pros: Visual; easy to see patterns; minimal effort Cons: Requires discipline to mark consistently
Option 2: Attendance Sheet
Create a simple spreadsheet or printable with date and a checkbox for each day.
| Date | Subject(s) | Completed | |——|———–|———–| | 8/26 | Math, ELA, Science | ✓ | | 8/27 | All subjects | ✓ | | 8/28 | Math, ELA, Social Studies | ✓ | | 8/29 | Illness (No instruction) | — | | 8/30 | All subjects | ✓ |
Pros: Detailed; shows what was studied; good documentation Cons: More time-consuming
Option 3: Weekly Checklist
At the end of each week, confirm you met your 5-day weekly goal. Skip formal daily tracking.
“Week of 8/26: Met 5 instructional days? YES”
Pros: Minimal tracking; focuses on weekly goals; less paperwork Cons: Less detailed if BESE requests documentation
Option 4: Portfolio Documentation
Keep your portfolio organized by date and subject. Your work samples naturally document when instruction happened. You count instructional days based on dated work.
Pros: Builds your progress documentation simultaneously; most natural for portfolio-based assessment Cons: Relies on dates being clear; less formal
The Math: Planning 180 Days
Standard schedule:
- 5 instructional days per week
- 36 weeks per year
- 5 × 36 = 180 days
Build in flexibility:
- Plan for some sick days (2-3)
- Account for holidays and breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break)
- Plan teacher planning days or curriculum switches
- Schedule 10-15 extra days to create buffer
Most families complete 180+ instructional days by mid-May or early June, giving flexibility for unexpected absences.
Sick Days and Excused Absences
You control what’s “excused.” Standard practice:
- Illness: Excused (no instruction that day)
- Medical appointments: Excused or partial day (if less than a full day’s instruction)
- Family emergency: Excused
- Vacation: Not instructional (doesn’t count toward 180)
- Co-op closures: Not instructional
You might take 10-12 such days throughout the year, which is why planning extra instructional days is wise.
Record Keeping Format
Here’s a format that’s easy to maintain and satisfies BESE’s potential requests:
Minimum documentation:
- Monthly attendance summary (e.g., “October: 22 instructional days completed”)
- Brief notes on any absences
- Total cumulative days at year-end
Sample format:
2025-2026 Homeschool Attendance Record [Student Name]
August 2025: 20 days September 2025: 22 days (1 illness day) October 2025: 21 days (1 illness day, 1 field trip planning day) …continuing through May…
Total Days Completed: 180 days
Notes: [Any notable absences or schedule changes]
This takes 30 seconds per month and gives you clear documentation.
Where to Store Records
- Digital: Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, or any spreadsheet program
- Physical: 3-ring binder with monthly pages
- Both: Print your digital record and keep hard copies too
Many families keep:
- Digital master copy (for quick updates)
- Printed copy (for BESE compliance)
- Portfolio folder (for progress documentation)
All three together give you comprehensive records.
If You Fall Short of 180 Days
It happens. If you realize in April you’re behind schedule:
- Increase instruction: Add instructional days each week to catch up
- Extend your year: Finish instruction in June or July instead of May
- Document the situation: If you can’t reach 180 days, BESE may request explanation
- Communicate with BESE: Proactively explain (illness, family crisis, curriculum switch)
Most BESE audits look for good-faith effort toward 180 days. If you’re at 170+ days with documented reasons, you’re likely fine. Significantly falling short (under 150 days) can trigger compliance issues.
Attendance and Your Assessment Method
Your attendance tracking connects to your evidence of progress:
If using standardized testing: Your test scores document learning, but attendance shows you met instructional time.
If using portfolio: Dated work samples naturally show when instruction occurred. Your portfolio IS your attendance documentation.
If using teacher statement: The certified teacher verifies both that instruction happened and that quality was maintained.
Record Organization Tips
Set up your system in August before you start:
- Choose your tracking method
- Create the template or document
- Print or set up digital file
- Place in accessible location
- Commit to updating monthly (takes 1 minute)
By year-end, you’ll have organized, ready-to-submit records.
What BESE Actually Requests
BESE rarely audits homeschools. When they do:
- They may request attendance documentation
- They may ask about subject coverage
- They may review your evidence of progress
Having organized attendance records takes this from stressful to straightforward. You just show your calendar/attendance sheet and you’re done.
Most BESE requests are simple: “Please confirm 180 days were completed and provide evidence of progress.” Your attendance record + your portfolio/test scores = compliance.
Special Circumstances
Part-time homeschool: If you’re doing part-time homeschool (some subjects at home, some at co-op or school), count only the days you provide instruction at home toward your 180 days.
Multiple children: Track each child separately. They don’t need identical schedules.
Co-op days: Days your child attends co-op classes count as instructional (the co-op is providing instruction).
Summary
Keep it simple. Mark a calendar, use a spreadsheet, or document naturally through your portfolio. Track daily or weekly. The goal is having clear evidence that you completed 180 instructional days by May 1 (or whenever your year ends).
For the full requirements context, see . For creating your first-year plan, see .
Attendance tracking is the simplest part of homeschool compliance. A basic system set up in August takes literally minutes per month and protects you completely.