Home Schooling: The Know-How on the How-To
When thinking about home schooling, Tennessee law (Virginia law has their own laws; please contact the Virginia Department of Education to find out more) must be understood by both parents. Each state is different, and each region has to follow various requirements. Reading the law can be really confusing, so TriCityMom got some help. Marcy Tidwell from the Department of Education in Tennessee, gives guidance on what moms and dads need to know about home schooling.
There are two main options when it comes to home education: Independent Home School and Satellite Non-Public Category Church Related School. Both provide a way for students to be documented as a student by the state, but allow mom to provide learning at home.
1) Independent Home School Requirements
Intent to Home School form must be completed by August 1 with the public school system/local education association (LEA). Registering after the August 1 date might mean paying a late fee.
To teach K – 8 students, parents must have GED or High School Diploma.
To teach 9 – 12 students, parents must have a bachelor’s degree.
Attendance record must be for 180 days, with four hours per day devoted to academic study.
State testing will take place in grades 5, 7, and 9 (including writing assessment in grade 5).
LEA must know if a student in grades 9 -12 will have either a college prep class or a general course of education class.
Proof of immunization must be on record.
Diploma recognition is determined by the accepting entity (state and local government entities must accept, private entities are not required to accept this diploma).
Parents may use any education curriculum program they choose.
Parent creates diploma for student(s).
Diploma is accepted at all state universities.
Satellite (Umbrella) Non-Public Category IV Church-Related School (CRS) Requirements
Students are enrolled with the school, but teaching is done at home. Many times there is a deadline is August 1 to enroll.
No parent education requirements for teaching students in grades K-8.
High school diploma required for parents teaching 9-12 grade students.
Intent to Home School with public school system form not required
Diploma recognition is the determination of the accepting entity (state and local govt. entities must accept)
CRS helps create diploma; diploma is accepted by all state universities.
Principal of church-related school is responsible for notifying directors of schools of registered students.
If the school receives a request for records or documentation of a home school registration, a copy of that documentation needs to be sent to the Home School Coordinator because each district must file a state report of all home school students.
All information is given by the Department of Education of Tennessee.
There are other details that families need to be aware of, and details that might pertain to different students:
A CRS will keep record of attendance (4 hours a day, 180 days of the year), grades and test scores. An LEA will keep record of attendance and grade level. These systems will keep the home schooling family accountable and safe. Registering with CRS school means paying tuition of that private school. Some CRS schools are: Family Christian Academy East (423-354-0203) or New Hope Academy (423-279-9797). Registering with a public school system means signing an “intent to home school” form with the county or city in which you live. A private school system does not require this. Home schooling families can use the curriculum their respective school uses or choose their own. Many times, families opt to join together several times a year to form a “Co-op,” and all will use the same curriculum. “Co-op” groups are not a state requirement. Immunizations are records the LEA or CRS school may keep; however, if you choose to opt out for religious reasons, you may. Schools will keep a form to show that a student has opted out. If a parent is unable to teach a certain subject, a tutor with qualifications may assist the student; high school students may dual enroll with a local college to fill out their curriculum. These classes many times will suffice for high school credit as well as college credit, giving the student an advantage after graduation.
If a student fails for two consecutive years to meet or exceed their regular grade level, that student may be required to attend public or private schooling.
By registering with an LEA, students will take state tests. Those tests will be given at the same time tests are given in public schools; students will take those tests in the school that is in their district, or whichever location is giving the test. There will be no fee for the test.
There is also an option for online education. Gateway Christian Academy (731-934-9476, based in the Memphis area) and Family Christian Academy, (615-847-3999, based in the Nashville area).
Being enrolled with a CRS means that your student does not have to take state mandated tests; CRS schools offer standardized testing on a separate schedule. Standardized testing is a good option for home schooled students, and can be administered each year. These tests are not reported to the state, but rather give the parents/teachers a way of understanding where their child stands in his or her learning. It is also a good way to familiarize a student with how testing works.
With a CRS, year round teaching is an option, meaning each family can create their own schedule. LEA students must follow the regular public school calendar.
When wondering whether to use a CRS or an LEA, one might worry that the cost for a CRS will be too high. An LEA does not have an enrollment fee, and testing is at no cost for a parent, so paying money for a CRS seems costly. But a CRS is very affordable. Bonnie Witcher of Family Christian Academy East located in Blountville explains that the fee is $70 annually (if you register before August 1) for one child, is $10 less for subsequent children, and a family will never have to pay for more than three children at one time. That means if you have 10 home schooling children, you’ll just pay for the first three children. What about testing costs? CRS students may be required to take standardized tests in certain grades. While standardized tests cost money, the prices range from $55 to $125 (at Family Christian Academy East) annually, which many families can afford.
This non-profit school also has a book store, and will help when needing to buy curriculum. If that cost is an issue, parents can easily find special deals on text books and save money through website purchasing. Many times, other home schooling families will share materials to cut down on cost. There are also curriculum consignment stores in our area to provide low prices for current books to families in need (Hillbilly Book Barn, 423-323-2276).
Whether choosing an LEA or CRS, guidance is most important. Support is vital for home schooling families because education at home is a scary thing to think about if going solo. Understanding the legal issues and knowing your rights is a big part of getting started as well as maintaining a strong home schooling system, but learning about support is the second biggest piece of the puzzle.
There are groups and other home schooling families all over the Tri-Cities area that can provide help in understanding these things and provide your kids with the best of everything. NETHEA (North East Tennessee Home Education Association; is a local chapter in Tennessee that caters to the home schooling families in the Tri-Cities area. Not only do they provide support and help when it comes to keeping home schooling under the same definition it has always been, but they are great to direct families in finding proper support systems.
Co-ops provide that support and give a way for kids to get together and have field trips, sporting events, extra-curricular classes, and more. For parents, it’s a way to have other parents around to bounce ideas off, to lean on each other for help, and to give and take advice about raising children. Co-ops are a great way to create friendships and provide more to the school setting than would otherwise be in just the classroom.
There are several district home schooling co-ops to support families. Any family can be as much or as little involved as they wish in order to make the best decision for their children. Some examples of co-ops in the Tri-Cities area are:
“TEACH” in Gray/Johnson City area has classes and field trips for kids of all ages. There is a small cost to join annually, but it is very nominal. Check out http://www.teachtrial.cloverpad.org to get more information.
“TEACH” in Blountville is a branch of the Gray location, and is very similar to this “sister” group. They have dance and sports teams as well as classes to offer students. They meet at Celebration Church, and serve pre-school through high school students. For more information, check out http://www.teachblountville.com
“TEACH” in Greeneville is held at First Baptist Church of Greeneville every Monday during the school year. There are many classes for students of all ages. To contact, e-mail teach-greeneville@hotmail.com
Kingsport Christian Academy meets at the First Assembly of God Church. Serving students K-12, this school hires educators to teach on various days of the week, covering content some parents might not feel confident in teaching. There are fees that vary per class. To get more information, check out www.kcalions.net or call 423-335-5466.
Other groups that support and can offer direction are: Kingsport Area Christian Homeschool Education Association and Tri-Cities Home School.
Home schooling is not for everyone, but if you are thinking about it, now it is the time to learn about it. Be informed, make the choice, do what is right for your family. If you do decide to home school, share what you think about it at tricitymom.com!