Notify the local Education Service District
The Oregon Department of Education says families must notify their local Education Service District of the intent to homeschool within 10 days of withdrawing a child from school or beginning the school year. Keep the notice and the ESD’s confirmation.
Plan for testing in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10
ODE says homeschool students are tested at the end of grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 using an approved nationally normed test and a qualified neutral tester. Testing is due by August 15, subject to the state’s grace-period and other rules. Families retain the scores and submit them to the ESD when requested.
A practical Oregon family file
- The ESD notification and confirmation
- Approved test results for required grade levels
- A dated attendance or learning log
- Course and curriculum lists
- Representative work samples and progress notes
- Official records from public, online, college, or outside providers
- A running transcript and credit record for high school
Keep more detail before a high-school transfer
ODE warns that a public high school may not award credit for homeschool coursework when a student transfers. Clear course descriptions, dates, providers, grades, credits, and supporting work can help a receiving school evaluate the record, but the school decides what it accepts.
Source date and scope
This summary was checked against Oregon Department of Education material on September 17, 2026. It is educational information, not legal advice. Testing exceptions and activity-eligibility rules can differ, so confirm the current instructions with ODE and your ESD.