This is not intended to start a debate about the pros and cons of homeschooling. I just wanted to share what I was able to learn from researching the legalities of homeschooling in Tennessee. We've been considering it, although we are not yet ready to take the plunge.
Essentially, there are 3 different options in Tennessee.
1. You can register thru the public school system to homeschool and they then control the number of days and hours you must instruct, the qualifications you must hold, your attendance records must be available for inspection at any time, and standardized tests are given at grades 5, 7, and 9.
2. You can register with a church related school to homeschool. Your only requirements with the state then are to hold a high school diploma or GED, register with the local school and administer achievement tests for grades 9-12. None of these requirements apply for grades through 8th. Attendance requirements (# days, hours per day, etc) and subjects taught are prescribed by the church related school.
3. This is the most liberal option that intrigued me. Operate as a satillite campus of a church related school. Essentially, you become staff of the school and your children are your students. Legally, you are not even homeschooling! None of the state requirements apply. I even found an church related school that I could use option 3 with, all for a suggested donation of $40 per year.
I'd be interested to hear how other states handle the legalities of homeschooling.
Peggy
Essentially, there are 3 different options in Tennessee.
1. You can register thru the public school system to homeschool and they then control the number of days and hours you must instruct, the qualifications you must hold, your attendance records must be available for inspection at any time, and standardized tests are given at grades 5, 7, and 9.
2. You can register with a church related school to homeschool. Your only requirements with the state then are to hold a high school diploma or GED, register with the local school and administer achievement tests for grades 9-12. None of these requirements apply for grades through 8th. Attendance requirements (# days, hours per day, etc) and subjects taught are prescribed by the church related school.
3. This is the most liberal option that intrigued me. Operate as a satillite campus of a church related school. Essentially, you become staff of the school and your children are your students. Legally, you are not even homeschooling! None of the state requirements apply. I even found an church related school that I could use option 3 with, all for a suggested donation of $40 per year.
I'd be interested to hear how other states handle the legalities of homeschooling.
Peggy