Registration with your Local Superintendent of Schools

In May of 1985 Governor Lamar Alexander signed the bill called "the home school" bill TCA 49-6-3050. 

Since compulsory attendance became state law in the early 1900's, this was the first time home schooling was a clearly legal form of education.  

In this law the relationship between a home schooling family and the superintendent as agent of the State of Tennessee is described and it also describes the relationship between a home schooling family and a church related school.  Another section of this web site is dedicated to that church related school relationship. 

The langauge of the law is very clear and speaks for itself.  This law does fit into a larger set of laws.  Please note these areas of special importance, as follows:

Testing is mandated at specific grade levels. 

No high school graduation is offered from the Superintendent. 

It is possible that a child who does not test well that is signed up with the Superintendent may be forced to leave home schooling. 

For home schoolers compulsory attendance begins the day the child turns 7 years and ends the day they turn 17.  (For all other students the day the child turns 6 and ends the day they turn 18.)

No child may be enrolled in the first grade of public school without attending kindergarten.  They may enter 2^nd or 3^rd grade without it, but not first. 

The August 1 and September 1 deadlines for home schoolers wanting to sign up with their local Superintendent does not apply to most church related schools enrolling home schoolers. 

THEA is not a lawyer group and does not offer legal advice.