Homeschool Compliance Kit & Record Keeping Notebook
This kit comes in two parts. First there is a packet with documents and instructions on how to begin homeschooling in your State. This is important to avoid potential trouble with truancy laws.

The second part is a special record-keeping notebook. This notebook is designed and organized to fit YOUR specific state. It lets you keep all your important homeschooling documents together in one place.

Moms all across the country have invested literally hundreds and hundreds of Mom-Hours to make it easy for you to comply with your State's homeschool laws. They've organized it for you, gathered all the forms and documents for you, and put together step-by-step instructions to make it all easy for you.

What is the 3Moms State Compliance Kit?
You get two parts to the State Compliance Kit. First you get a Record Keeping Notebook. It's a high-quality Wilson-Jones™ binder, pre-organized for keeping all your homeschool records. It's designed to keep everything in one place in case you are called into the Department Of Education or audited.

The second part you get is your State Compliance Packet. This is custom created for your State. It has all the procedures, policies, laws, forms and letters pre-organized for you. If you need a form, you got it. If you need to file a letter, you got it. You save hundreds of frustrating hours.

What's Included in your State Compliance Kit?

1. Homeschool Registration/Notification
Each state is different. Some states are easier, and others require you to jump through lots of hoops. You will find the state requirements and laws that deal with this subject, things you need to do, and some important documents to have ready if you are ever audited or questioned. Don't worry, we've got it all organized for you.

2. Homeschool Testing/Evaluation Requirements
You will find the laws in your state dealing with testing for homeschooled children. Some states require regular testing, and it's an option for other states. You will also find out other information on testing and other options available to you.

3. Portfolio Requirements
This section deals with what requirements there are in terms of keeping a formal portfolio for your state. There are some options you should consider, and some guidelines to help.

4. Record Keeping /Attendance Requirements
This section deals with keeping track of how many days you spend homeschooling. For those of you who live in states that require you to report attendance on their form, we will provide the specific forms for you in your state specific kit.

5. Immunization and Health
Your State has laws dealing with health care and immunization. There are times that you may have to show some records. We'll show you the issues involved, and we've got all the appropriate forms or exemption forms you need organized for you.

6. Contacts & Reference Information
Here you will find government contacts, state-wide groups as well as local support groups and associations. These people can also provide help and assistance as you need it. All the contact information is organized for you. Here you will also find other reference material you may want to use.

What's Included In Your 3Moms Record
Keeping Notebook
Your Record Keeping Notebook is designed to keep everything together. We've pre-designed and pre-organized your Wilson-Jones™ binder to keep everything, and easy to keep.

• Attendance Section
  Attendance records are not mandatory for all states but it never hurts to be prepared. It's better to have it then not in the event you get called into the Department of Education or there is ever a question. We've predesigned and organized ultra-easy charts to make keeping your records ultra-easy. For those of you who live in states that require you to report attendance on their form, we will provide the specific forms for you in your state specific kit.
   
• Daily Log Section
  For many states, it is required to submit or maintain a log to keep track of what you do on a daily basis with your child. In states that do not require you to maintain a log, many homeschool associations recommend that you keep one anyway. This section is designed to make it easy, and keep you organized. The more your records resemble those of a government or public school (in terms of record keeping), the less problems you will have if you ever fall under scrutiny.
  
  Note: We have included a list of Education-ese and it's translation to give you more formal way of writing activities that we all do on a daily basis. These include activities not necessarily done at a desk but still are considered educational. Use this list wherever it is useful.
   
• Reading List Section
  You get specially designed forms to make keeping track fast and easy. You can keep track of all the books, magazines, newspapers and any other source of regular reading and more. Many states require you to keep track of what books your child read (or you read to them.) This is a good idea to keep whether your state requires it or not.
   
• Other Lesson Recording Sections
  There are other sections with pre-designed forms to help you keep track of other educational resources and items you use. You would be surprised what's considered educational. You just have to realize, then keep records. We make it easy.
   
• Record Keeping Sections
  Other sections are designed to help you keep track of other records that often are challenged by state laws and State Educational Boards. Just some of them include curriculum, course outlines, health records, correspondence and lots more. What's important to remember is that it's designed to make it easy for you to keep good records such as Letter of Intent, Resumes, Letter of Withdrawal, other Official Forms and lots more!

Why Bother Keeping Records
It's not a bad idea to keep records even if your state doesn't require them. There are several reasons for this.

• First, if there is ever a question about your child's schooling, the more professional you look and act, the most defenses you have. Plus if you treat your child's homeschooling like a professional school, you could benefit from Murphy's Law #27. You know the one, if you are completely prepared, you probably won't ever be asked to produce the records. It's like going out with an umbrella. Every time you take your umbrella, it never rains.
   
• Second, if you need your child to go back into the public school system. I know you don't intend to, but you never know. You might get sick, or something might happen. It's always better to have all your records straight to help matters... just in case.
   
• Third, if you need to move. Again, you aren't planning to move tomorrow, but you never know. Just because you live in an "easy" homeschool state, you would be surprised at how much documentation other states require. It will make the transition easier... just in case.
   
• Fourth, you might want to take advantage of a state sponsored program. Who knows, your child might turn out to be a violin virtuoso, and want to play in the State Orchestra.
  
  Sure there are lots of homeschool bands and programs, but you never know. There are lots of programs available to you and your child. Just because you are homeschooling, we always recommend taking advantage of any programs that can help your child, especially if YOU already paid for them with your tax dollars!
   
• Fifth, college. Again, you never know. Your child might be a genius, destined for great things that require college. The more records you have, the easier it is. Colleges LOVE homeschoolers because they do SO well. So why not dot a few "i's" and cross a few "t's" for your child's future. It NEVER hurts to be prepared!
   
• Sixth, if you ever need public help. If you ever have the need for food stamps, social security or other public assistance, there is a good chance that you will have to show proof of attendance for your homeschooled child. So again, records always help.

The Basics
There are some things that your State absolutely requires, and there are other things that aren't so clear. There is always a chance that even if you follow all the rules, you could come under scrutiny. There could be a time when the State questions your homeschooling. So this kit follows a basic principle which is to ALWAYS BE PREPARED.

If you are organized, keep basic records, and try to act like a real school (within reason) then the more defenses you have if there is ever a question. All schools have curriculum guidelines that they want to teach their students, they keep attendance records, and they keep records and scores of what the students learn. You can do these basic things without too much trouble. We've tried to organize this kit around that basic principle.

That's why we went to great expense to provide you with a NICE record keeping notebook. We didn't just go out and buy any old cheapo notebook. We got you a NICE one! It's designed to keep your records all together in one place, and make it super easy for you to keep records.

So if you are ever called in or questioned, no problem, just grab your notebook off the shelf, and you have everything in one place!

The important thing is not to get over-stressed. You are the parent, you care 1000 times more than any school system about your child. This whole process and kit is designed to let you SHOW how much you love, and care about your children and their education!

Disclaimer
We are not attorneys, we don't pretend to be, and we don't even play one on TV! This kit was created by groups of moms from all over the country. That being said, nothing contained in this kit is intended to be legal advice, and you shouldn't consider it legal advice. All the information contained in this State Compliance kit is distributed for information purposes only. You should always check what the latest laws are for your jurisdiction before proceeding. At the end of this packet is a contact sheet with State-Wide Parent-Run group as well as the state agency. You should check with them to make sure you are on the right track. We always try to check everything with them to make sure this educational material is as accurate as possible, but it's always possible to have errors or omissions. So please double check because 3Moms.com is not responsible for any errors or omissions.