Staying on top of state compliance requirements

_In the app: `/compliance`_

Compliance tracking shows everything your state requires you to file or document — required subjects, instruction minimums, reporting deadlines, and official source links. It's organized by regulation tier (low, moderate, or high) and pulls live data from your family's students, school year, and attendance records.

How to

See what your state requires

Go to Compliance in the main menu.
At the top, you'll see your state name, tier level (Low / Moderate / High regulation), and the last date ArborSlate cross-checked the requirements with your state's authority.
Read the state notes, which explain the core filing requirements in plain language.
Click the authority source link to jump directly to your state's official ruling or statute.

Check instruction hours and days progress

Go to Compliance.
If your state sets an instruction minimum, you'll see a card titled 'Instruction minimum' showing hours and days for the current school year and grade level.
The progress bar shows actual vs. target. Progress is pulled live from your attendance records.
If a state has grade-level-specific requirements (like New York), the target updates when you switch between students using the Student dropdown at the top of the page.

Check required subjects for your student

Go to Compliance.
Select the student you want to check using the Student dropdown (if you have more than one).
Scroll to 'Required subjects' — the list is specific to your student's current grade level.
Each required subject shows a checkmark if it matches an active enrollment. If the state's requirement is 'Reading' and your student is enrolled in 'Reading & Writing', it counts as a match.
Subjects that don't match yet appear grayed out; ArborSlate matches using both exact and substring matches (case-insensitive), so 'English' enrollment covers an 'English (4 years)' requirement.

View filing deadlines for your state

Go to Compliance.
Scroll to 'Reporting deadlines' to see each filing your state requires, its due date, and a short description.
If ArborSlate has a template generator for that filing, you'll see an 'Open template' button next to it. Click to jump to the filled-in template.
Completed filings show a 'Completed' badge next to the deadline name.
Click the authority source link in the page header to confirm the deadline against your state's official statute before filing.

Open and print a filing template

Go to Compliance.
Under 'Reporting deadlines' or 'Filing templates', click the 'Open' button for the template you need (e.g., 'Affidavit of Intent' for Arizona).
The template loads pre-filled with your family name, student names and birthdates, current grade levels, and enrolled subjects.
Review all fields carefully against your state's requirements — ArborSlate generates the template but does not submit it on your behalf.
Click the 'Print' button at the bottom to open your browser's print dialog, then save as PDF or print to paper.
File the printed copy according to your state's instructions (e.g., mail to county superintendent, file with school district).

Options & settings

State code (set in Settings > Family info) — determines which compliance rules and templates appear
Active school year — required so ArborSlate can calculate instruction minimums and progress
Student selection (Compliance page only) — filters required subjects and grade-level-specific instruction targets
Enrollments (active subjects for each student) — used to check if required subjects are covered

Common questions

How often does ArborSlate update state compliance requirements?

Each state's requirements show a 'last reviewed' date. ArborSlate performs comprehensive cross-reference passes to ensure accuracy. If your state's date is old, that typically means the requirements have not changed since that review. Always confirm critical deadlines against your state's official source (linked on the Compliance page) before filing, since homeschool laws can change between reviews.

Can I download or export my compliance checklist?

Not yet. You can print individual templates (Affidavit, IHIP, quarterly reports) directly from the template page. For now, screenshot or bookmark the Compliance page to track requirements. If you need a printed checklist, contact support.

Why does my state not have a template generator?

ArborSlate has built-in templates for Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New York. Other states' filings vary widely — some have official forms on the state DOE website, others accept letters in your own words. If your state requires a specific form, check your state DOE or authority page (linked on your Compliance page) for the official template or filing instructions.

My student is in middle school, but the required subjects show an elementary list. Why?

Scroll to the Student selector at the top of the page and change the grade level using the dropdown. ArborSlate will re-load the required-subjects list for that grade's tier (elementary, middle, or high school). If you don't see a Student dropdown, you have only one student — update that student's grade level in their profile under Enrollments.

The instruction minimum shows I'm behind on hours. Am I in trouble?

Not necessarily. The 'Instruction minimum' card shows your year-to-date progress toward the state's annual target. If you started late in the year, you have less time to accumulate hours. If you're approaching the end of the year and significantly behind, review your attendance records and consider whether some missed days should be marked as holidays or other exceptions. Contact your state DOE or an educational advisor if you have concerns about meeting the annual requirement.

Do I have to file every form listed under 'Reporting deadlines'?

Yes, if your state lists it. These are the filings your state legally requires. However, if a deadline has already passed, work with your state DOE or local homeschool association for guidance on late filing. ArborSlate shows all requirements; it's your responsibility to file on time.

How does ArborSlate match my enrolled subjects to required subjects?

ArborSlate uses case-insensitive substring matching (both directions). For example, if your state requires 'Reading' and you enroll in 'Reading & Writing', it counts as a match. If you enroll in 'English' and the state requires 'English (4 years)', that also matches. If you're unsure whether a subject covers a requirement, add the specific subject name to your enrollment or check with your state DOE.

Good to know

Templates are pre-filled but not auto-submitted — you must review, print, sign, and file them yourself according to your state's instructions.
Required-subjects checks depend on your student's current grade level and active enrollments — if you change grade levels mid-year or haven't added enrollments yet, the checklist may not reflect your final compliance status.
Instruction-minimum progress uses only recorded attendance — if you homeschool but have not logged attendance in ArborSlate, the progress bar will show zero even if you're meeting the requirement in practice. Backfill attendance records if needed.
Last-reviewed dates are per-state and may be older for states with minimal changes since the last cross-reference pass. Always confirm deadlines and requirements against your state's official statute or DOE website before filing.
Some high-regulation states (like PA and NY) have multiple filings per year — missing even one deadline can trigger compliance violations. Set calendar reminders for each deadline or sync ArborSlate's calendar to Apple/Google/Outlook to get notifications.

Plans

All plan tiers can access the compliance page. Filing templates (Affidavit, IHIP, quarterly reports) are built into ArborSlate for Arizona, Pennsylvania, and New York and can be printed directly.