by Rita Onyx
This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.
There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.
Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Tennessee. Know the Tennessee homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.
There are Three Ways to Homeschool:
- Independent homeschool
- Church-related school
- Category III distance learning school
Requirements:
- Children between 6-17 of age must be in school
- You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions
- There ARE teacher qualifications
- There are NO state mandated subjects
- There ARE required assessments or testing if you choose to homeschool as an Independent homeschool and some Church-related schools
- There ARE immunization requirements
How to Homeschool as an Independent Homeschool
- Meet the qualifications of teaching which include having either a:
a) High school diploma
b) GED
- Notify the superintendent of your local school district or local education agency
- Include in the notice:
- Number of children
- Names
- Ages
- Grade levels
- Address of school
- Curriculum
- Proposed hours of instruction
- Instructor’s educational qualifications
- Show proof of immunizations
- Instruction must include at least 180 days
- Keep a record of attendance
- Evaluate your child in grades 5,7, and 9 with a standardize test
How to Homeschool with a Church-Related School
- Enroll in a church-related school that meets the accreditation of one of the following:
- Tennessee Association of Christian Schools
- Association of Christian Schools International
- Tennessee Association of Independent Schools
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tennessee Association of Non-Public Academic Schools
- Tennessee Association of Church Related Schools
- Tennessee Alliance of Church Related Schools
- Accelerated Christian Education, Inc.
- Show proof of Immunizations
- Follow the policies of the CRS
How to Homeschool with a Category III Distance Learning School
- Enroll in a Category III school that is accredited by one of the following:
- AdvancED (the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)
- Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI))
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation
- Follow the policies of the Category III distance learning school
Helpful links:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/nonpublic/hm_sch_intent_to_home_school.pdf
https://www.tnhea.org/find-your-chapter/
https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/non-public-schools.html
https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/tennessee.html
Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education
- Tennessee Department of Education
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0375
Phone: (615) 741-2731
Fax: (615) 532-4791
Email: Education.Comments@state.tn.us
Website: https://www.tn.gov/education/
- U.S. Department of Education, Tennessee