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Louisiana Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What Louisiana requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: La. R.S. § 17:236.1
- Annual assessment: progress evidence filed with each renewal — a curriculum packet with student work, standardized test scores, or a certified-teacher statement
Approved home study program: initial application within 15 days of commencing; annual renewal by October 1. Each renewal includes evidence of progress — a curriculum packet (subject outline, materials list, work samples), standardized test scores at or above grade level, or a certified teacher's statement (LDOE options 1–3).
Records you must keep in Louisiana
Louisiana approves a home study program that you renew each year with evidence your child is making progress — most families build that evidence from a portfolio of work. Keep the following:
- Your approved home study application and each year's renewal (initial application within 15 days of starting)
- A curriculum packet — subject outline, book and materials list, and a third-party statement (LDOE renewal Option 1)
- One to two pages of student work per core subject (worksheets, writing, projects, photos of hands-on work)
- Copies of report cards or standardized test results if you use them as your progress evidence (Option 2: scores at or above grade level)
- Or a certified teacher's statement of your child's progress (Option 3)
Your Louisiana filing timeline
- Within 15 days of startingFile your initial home study application with the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- All year longCollect work samples across each core subject so your progress evidence is ready at renewal.
- By October 1 (each year)File your annual renewal with evidence of a sustained curriculum — a curriculum packet, test scores, or a certified teacher's statement.
How FolioKid helps with Louisiana's requirements
You do the teaching; FolioKid organizes the progress evidence Louisiana asks for at renewal:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against Louisiana's core-subject areas.
- Log instructional time as you go — track attendance and instruction even though Louisiana sets no fixed hour count.
- Assemble a curriculum packet or enter standardized test scores, then get an October 1 renewal reminder so your approval never lapses.
- Export a Louisiana-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Louisiana Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official Louisiana sources
- 📜 La. R.S. § 17:236 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ Louisiana Dept. of Education — Home Study
- 🔎 HSLDA — Louisiana homeschool law summary
Louisiana homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Louisiana?
Homeschooling in Louisiana is governed by La. R.S. § 17:236.1. Approved home study program: initial application within 15 days of commencing; annual renewal by October 1. Each renewal includes evidence of progress — a curriculum packet (subject outline, materials list, work samples), standardized test scores at or above grade level, or a certified teacher's statement (LDOE options 1–3). Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not specify required subjects in its homeschool law, though parents are responsible for providing instruction as defined by La. R.S. § 17:236.1.
Does Louisiana require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — Louisiana does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for Louisiana? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Louisiana's requirements.
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