Wyoming Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

Post-HB46 (effective July 1, 2025), Wyoming’s homeschool compliance is refreshingly simple: almost nothing is required. But “no requirement” doesn’t mean “don’t document.” Here’s your practical annual compliance and documentation checklist to stay organized and prepared for any future need.

Key Takeaways

• Wyoming’s ONLY compliance requirement: 175-day attendance record (that’s it)
• No annual reporting to the state
• No curriculum approval or submission
• No testing required
• No teacher qualifications required
• Actual documentation you should keep (for college, future transitions): transcripts, curriculum list, work samples, test scores

Wyoming’s Actual Requirements (Post-HB46)

The singular requirement:
– Maintain a record of 175 days of instruction annually.

That’s literally it. No paperwork submission, no state notification, no approval needed.

Everything else is optional but recommended.

Annual Compliance Checklist

January-August (School Year Planning)

• [ ] Choose/finalize curriculum for the year (no approval needed, just decide).
• [ ] Plan attendance calendar (identify 175+ days of instruction).
• [ ] Set up attendance tracking (paper log, spreadsheet, calendar—whatever you’ll maintain).
• [ ] Establish record-keeping system (where will transcripts, work samples, test scores live?).
• [ ] Connect with local homeschool groups (co-ops, support groups, social networks).
• [ ] Plan enrichment (co-op classes, sports, camps, dual enrollment if high school).

September-May (During School Year)

• [ ] Track attendance daily (175+ days total by June; be consistent).
• [ ] Collect work samples (save representative pieces monthly; don’t wait until June).
• [ ] Document curriculum used (keep receipts, photos, or notes; you’ll need this for records).
• [ ] If receiving SPED services: Attend IEP meetings, collect progress reports, maintain curriculum documentation.
• [ ] Monitor progress (grades/mastery in each subject; parent assessment).
• [ ] Update reading list (as child completes books).

June (End of Year)

• [ ] Finalize attendance record (verify 175+ days logged).
• [ ] Create year-end transcript (subjects, curriculum used, grade/mastery level).
• [ ] Organize work samples (save best pieces to portfolio; back up digitally).
• [ ] Update cumulative transcript (running record across all years).
• [ ] Review standards met (did you cover reading, writing, math, science, civics, history, literature?).
• [ ] Back up all digital records (Google Drive backup, external hard drive, second cloud service).
• [ ] Reflect on the year (what worked, what to adjust, pacing observations).

Required Documentation to Maintain

1. Attendance Record (Required by Wyoming Law)

Minimum:
– Date of instruction.
– Attendance: yes/no (or days present).

Better:
– Date.
– Subject(s) covered.
– Attendance confirmation.

Format: Calendar, spreadsheet, log, anything that documents 175+ days.

Storage: Keep for 7 years (standard education records retention).

2. Transcript (Not Required by Wyoming; Highly Recommended)

Include:
– Grade level (or year).
– Subject/course name.
– Curriculum used.
– Grade or mastery level (A-F, percentage, or pass/incomplete).
– Semester or year.

Why essential: College applications require transcript. You’re the issuer; make it complete and professional.

Format: Google Sheets, Word doc, or homeschool transcript software.

3. Curriculum Documentation (Required if Receiving SPED Services)

If NOT receiving district services: Optional but recommended.

If receiving SPED services: Required to submit to district.

What to document:
– Subject.
– Curriculum title/publisher.
– Duration (approximate hours, weeks, or completion date).
– Year used.

Format: Simple list or spreadsheet.

4. Work Samples & Portfolio (Not Required; Strongly Recommended)

What to keep:
– Representative writing samples (1-2 per semester, showing best work).
– Math problem-solving showing reasoning.
– Science lab reports or project documentation.
– Reading list.

Why: College admissions, documenting rigor, capturing learning journey.

Storage: Digital (scanned/photographed) + originals for key pieces.

Compliance by Grade Level

Elementary (K-5)

• Attendance record: simple calendar or checklist.
• Curriculum list: what subjects/programs you used.
• Basic transcript or progress record.
• Reading list.
• Work samples: save 1-2 pieces per subject per semester.

Middle School (6-8)

• Attendance record: more detailed (subject and date).
• Transcript: subject, curriculum, grades.
• Curriculum documentation: subject, program, duration.
• Reading list: comprehensive, showing progression.
• Work samples: 2-3 pieces per subject per semester; show growth.

High School (9-12)

• **Attendance record: detailed, by subject.
• **Transcript: course-level detail (as if from school).
• Course name.
• Curriculum/materials.
• Credits or course level (9th grade, 10th, honors, etc.).
• Grade (A-F or percentage).
• Standardized test scores: SAT/ACT (critical for college, Hathaway).
• Curriculum documentation: same as earlier grades.
• Reading list: comprehensive, showing academic reading.
• Work samples: best pieces per major assignment; show rigor.

Special Compliance Situations

If Your Child Has an IEP

Additional documentation:
– Curriculum submitted to district (required for proportionate share services).
– Progress monitoring reports (from district therapist/service provider).
– IEP document (annual copy).
– Evaluation reports (baseline assessment).

Annual task:
– Attend IEP review meeting (yearly).
– Maintain curriculum documentation aligned to IEP goals.
– Keep communication with district (emails, meeting notes).

If Seeking Hathaway Scholarship (College)

Required by Hathaway:
– Transcript showing core subjects (reading, writing, math, science, civics, history, literature).
– ACT or SAT scores meeting Hathaway benchmarks.
– High school completion documentation.

Compliance action:
– Track core subjects explicitly across 9th-12th grades.
– Plan testing: 9th or 10th grade (test by junior year if possible).
– Maintain clear transcript documenting core requirements.

If Child Has Medical/Educational Needs for School Transition

Documentation to keep:
– IEP or 504 plan (if applicable).
– Evaluation/assessment records.
– Accommodation history (what has helped).
– Medical documentation (if relevant).

Why: If re-entering traditional school mid-year, your documentation accelerates their placement and services.

Testing Decisions (Optional in Wyoming)

Wyoming doesn’t require testing, but consider:

SAT/ACT (for college-bound):
– Test 9th or 10th grade (diagnostic).
– Test 10th or 11th grade (official for college).
– Test 11th or 12th grade (final attempt if improving score).
– Keep all score reports.

Achievement testing (optional, for your knowledge):
– Annual standardized achievement test (ITBS, WISC, etc.) if you want external assessment of progress.
– Not required; entirely optional.
– Cost: $50-200 per test.
– Benefit: Objective progress data; useful for college applications or identifying learning gaps.

Record Storage Best Practices

Digital (Primary):
– Google Drive folder named “Homeschool Records” with subfolders (transcripts, attendance, curriculum, work samples, test scores, SPED).
– Second cloud backup (OneDrive, iCloud) or external hard drive.

Physical (Backup):
– Original documents: test scores, IEP documents, evaluations.
– Binder or file box: organized by year.
– Fire-safe location for critical documents (IEP, test scores, evaluation reports).

Accessibility:
– Ensure documents are searchable and organized.
– Labeling system is consistent.
– Know where everything is (you’ll need it during college applications, potential school transition, or future inquiries).

Documentation You Don’t Need

Wyoming doesn’t require (and you shouldn’t waste time on):
– Daily lesson plans.
– Permission forms or approvals.
– Hours log by subject.
– Detailed progress reports.
– Curriculum descriptions or curriculum approval forms.
– Teacher certifications or qualifications.
– Field trip documentation (unless for portfolio).

Post-HB46, Wyoming eliminated all of these. Focus on what matters: attendance, transcript, portfolio.

Compliance Red Flags (Unlikely in Wyoming)

Wyoming has virtually no homeschool enforcement post-HB46. But if there were an inquiry:

• Be able to show 175 days of instruction (attendance record).
• Show curriculum was used (receipts, books, materials, transcript).
• Demonstrate learning happened (work samples, grades, progress).

That’s it. You’re not in violation of Wyoming law if you can show these three things.

Final Compliance Guidance

The bottom line: Wyoming is not monitoring you. Compliance isn’t about avoiding state inspection; it’s about organizing records for your child’s future—college, job applications, future school re-entry, Hathaway eligibility.

Spend time on what matters (transcript quality, work samples, test scores), not what the state requires (which is almost nothing).

Wyoming Resources

• Wyoming Department of Education: Minimal homeschool guidance post-HB46 (not much to provide).
• Wyoming Parent Information Center (WPIC): Free consultation on homeschool documentation.
• Local homeschool co-ops: Often have templates, record-keeping advice, peer support.

Wyoming homeschool record keeping

Homeschool portfolio wyoming

Compliance Checklist (Simplified)

Each year you need:
– [ ] 175+ days attendance record (maintained throughout year).
– [ ] Transcript (subject, curriculum, grade).
– [ ] Curriculum documentation (if receiving SPED services).
– [ ] Work samples collected (for college, future reference).
– [ ] Records backed up digitally.

That’s your compliance. Everything else is optional but recommended.

Do this, and you’re covered—for Wyoming law, for college applications, for any future need.