How to Compile a BESE Renewal Packet Without Paying a Consultant

You do not need to pay a consultant hundreds of dollars to assemble your BESE renewal packet. The packet itself is straightforward once you understand what LDOE reviewers actually evaluate — which is far less mysterious than Facebook groups make it seem. Louisiana's RS 17:236.1 requires "satisfactory evidence of a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level." That phrase sounds intimidating, but it translates into a specific set of documents you can compile yourself in a weekend if you've been keeping basic records throughout the year.

Here's exactly what goes into a compliant BESE renewal packet, how to assemble it, and where the DIY approach has real limitations worth knowing about.

What a BESE Renewal Packet Actually Contains

The October 1 annual renewal requires you to submit evidence to the LDOE that your Home Study Program provided a quality education during the prior year. You choose one of three evidence types:

1. Standardized test scores (CAT, Iowa, LEAP) — just submit the scores
2. Written evaluation from a certified Louisiana teacher — the teacher reviews your materials and writes a statement
3. Portfolio/curriculum packet — you compile and submit documentation yourself

This article focuses on option 3, the portfolio/curriculum packet, because it's the route most Louisiana homeschool families choose and the one that creates the most anxiety.

The Seven Components of a Complete Packet

1. Compliance Cover Sheet

Start your packet with a one-page summary sheet that uses the statutory language LDOE reviewers expect. This should include:

• Your family's BESE Home Study approval number
• Student name, grade level, and enrollment dates
• A statement confirming "sustained curriculum of quality" was provided
• Checkboxes or confirmation of core subject coverage: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
• Confirmation of 180 instructional days completed

The cover sheet isn't legally required, but it frames your entire packet in the statutory language reviewers use to evaluate submissions. Think of it as the executive summary that tells the reviewer, "Everything you need is here, organized the way you expect it."

2. Curriculum Description

A one-to-two-page overview of what you taught and how. List each subject with:

• The curriculum or materials used (textbook titles, online programs, co-op class names)
• A brief description of topics covered
• For high school: course names using standard conventions (Algebra I, Biology with Lab, US History)

You don't need to follow Louisiana Student Standards rigidly. The standard is "at least equal to" public schools — meaning you need to cover roughly equivalent content, not identical content.

3. Attendance Record

A log showing your student attended instruction for at least 180 days. This can be as simple as a monthly calendar with days marked. It doesn't need hourly breakdowns — just day-by-day verification that 180 days were met.

4. Work Samples

Physical or digital examples of student work across core subjects. The general rule:

• K–2: 2-3 samples per subject showing progression across the year
• 3–8: 3-4 samples per subject, including at least one writing sample and one math assessment
• 9–12: Graded assignments, lab reports, essays, and any dual enrollment transcripts

Work samples show the quality of the curriculum — that your student didn't just attend 180 days but actually engaged with grade-appropriate material.

5. Assessment Evidence

Some form of progress measurement beyond work samples:

• Test scores from any standardized or curriculum-based assessments you administered
• Narrative evaluations you wrote describing progress and milestones
• Co-op instructor evaluations if applicable
• Dual enrollment grades from Louisiana community colleges

6. Subject-Specific Documentation

For each core subject, evidence that instruction occurred at grade level. This is where many parents struggle because the LDOE doesn't define what "grade level" documentation looks like. In practice, reviewers look for:

• Math: progressive skill development appropriate to grade (not just worksheets — problem-solving, application)
• ELA: reading lists, writing samples showing development, grammar/vocabulary evidence
• Science: lab documentation for high school, experiment descriptions, content coverage
• Social Studies: research projects, timeline activities, current events engagement

7. High School Transcript (Grades 9–12 Only)

If your student is in high school, include a transcript showing:

• Course names using standard conventions
• Credit hours per course
• Grades and cumulative GPA
• BESE Home Study enrollment status clearly displayed

This transcript serves double duty — it satisfies BESE reviewers and is what you'll submit to universities and LOSFA for TOPS scholarship applications.

What You Can Do Yourself vs. Where Templates Help

Easy to DIY:

• Attendance log (calendar with days marked)
• Work sample collection (folder of graded assignments)
• Basic curriculum description (list what you used)

Harder to DIY well:

• Compliance cover sheet with correct statutory language
• Professional high school transcript with GPA calculation and proper course naming
• TOPS scholarship documentation with current Act 359 requirements and LOSFA codes
• Subject-by-subject evidence guide aligned with Louisiana Student Standards

The harder items are where families either spend hours Googling for examples, rely on outdated Facebook advice, or pay consultants. They're also where the most consequential errors happen — a transcript that doesn't display BESE status can cost your student TOPS eligibility.

Why Consultants Charge What They Charge

Louisiana-based homeschool consultants and concierge services (like Kids on the Yard in the Greater New Orleans area) typically charge $200–$500 for portfolio assembly and review. They charge that because they:

• Know exactly what LDOE reviewers look for
• Have professional transcript formats that universities accept
• Stay current on legislative changes (Act 359, Act 347)
• Provide a guarantee that the packet meets statutory requirements

The value is real. But you're paying for knowledge and templates that, once you have them, you can reuse every year for every child. The ongoing cost makes sense for families with zero time. It's harder to justify when the same compliance frameworks are available as reusable templates for a fraction of the price.

The Middle Path: Templates Instead of Consultants

The Louisiana Portfolio & Assessment Templates exists specifically for this middle path — families who want consultant-level compliance documentation without the consultant-level price. It includes the BESE Compliance Cover Sheet, professional transcript builder, TOPS Scholarship Tracker (updated for Act 359), subject evidence guide, and year-round compliance calendar.

At , it costs less than a single hour of consultant time and covers every component listed above. Most families set up their documentation framework in one evening and then maintain it with about 15 minutes per week throughout the year.

Who This Approach Is For

• Parents who are organized enough to compile their own documentation but want professional templates to work from
• Families with multiple children who need a reusable system rather than paying a consultant every year per child
• First-year homeschoolers who need a clear, complete list of what goes in the packet
• High school families who need transcript and TOPS documentation that will survive university admissions review

Who Should Consider a Consultant Instead

• Families who withdrew mid-year and need to retroactively compile documentation for a partial year
• Parents dealing with a BESE compliance dispute or rejection who need someone to advocate on their behalf
• Anyone with zero time and enough budget that $300–$500 is genuinely easier than a weekend of work

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to compile a BESE renewal packet from scratch?

If you've been keeping basic records throughout the year, assembly takes 4-8 hours using templates. Without templates, families report spending 15-20 hours searching for examples, formatting documents, and second-guessing their approach. The biggest time sink is the compliance cover sheet and curriculum descriptions — once you have the statutory language right, the rest is organizing what you already have.

What happens if my BESE renewal packet is rejected?

The LDOE may request additional documentation or clarification. In serious cases, BESE approval can be revoked, which triggers truancy implications and disqualifies your student from TOPS. Rejections are uncommon for packets that include the core components listed above, but the stakes make it worth getting right the first time.

Can I submit my portfolio digitally or does it have to be physical?

The LDOE accepts digital submissions through their online portal. You can upload PDF documents, scanned work samples, and digital attendance records. Physical binders are no longer required, though some families keep one as a backup.

Do I need to include every single piece of work my child produced?

No. Work samples are representative, not comprehensive. Choose 3-4 pieces per core subject that show progression and grade-level engagement. Reviewers aren't looking for volume — they're looking for evidence that a "sustained curriculum of quality" was delivered.

Is the October 1 deadline firm?

The statutory deadline is October 1 of each academic year or within 12 months of your initial BESE approval date, whichever applies. Late submissions risk your BESE status. If you need an extension due to extraordinary circumstances, contact the LDOE's Nonpublic Schools office directly — but don't assume flexibility.

What's the difference between submitting test scores vs. a portfolio for renewal?

Standardized test scores are simpler to submit but give you less control over how your child's education is represented. The portfolio method lets you showcase the full breadth of your curriculum, accommodates non-traditional learning approaches, and doesn't subject your child to high-stakes testing. Most families who homeschool specifically to avoid test-driven education choose the portfolio route.

See more United States homeschool guides →