Are you new to homeschooling? Our Homeschool 101 information will help you begin your journey with confidence.

Beginning your homeschool journey feels uncertain and exciting. You may feel unqualified to embark on this journey. At Exodus Christian Academy, we believe you are perfectly qualified to teach your children. The feelings you are experiencing are normal. Our staff understands how you feel because we were there not so long ago.

Whether you have been considering this transition for a long time, or are just beginning to learn more about homeschooling as an option, we want to walk with you. The information and links below will help you as you get started. Our blog is also updated twice a month with information that can help you both now and for the years to come.

HOMESCHOOL LAW

Homeschool laws differ by state. To read a summary of your State’s homeschool laws visit the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) at https://hslda.org/legal. Knowing your legal rights as a parent is an important part of beginning your homeschool journey.

Attendance, Instructional Hours & Testing

Tennesee law requires 180 days of student attendance. By statute, Tennessee requires that “Church-related schools shall be conducted for the same length of term as public schools.” (TCA 49-50-801(c)). Under TCA 0520-07-02-.05(h), ECA “shall maintain an operating schedule that includes the minimum number of instructional days (180) and a minimum number of hours per day (6 1/2). Within the 180 days and hours of instruction are flexibility and freedom to learn through such activities as field trips, sports, work, travel, research, grocery shopping, cooking, and many other learning activities.

Tennessee Law does not require students enrolled in a Catagory IV Church Related school to participate in any testing. Thus, ECA does not require testing at any grade level.

Curriculum & Grades

Parents have the responsibility and freedom to choose curriculums that meet the needs and goals of their children. It is ultimately the parent’s responsibility to ensure that records are kept and maintained. However, ECA recommends that parents also submit their Educational Plan and final grades for each student on a yearly basis. Submission is for the purpose of documenting their educational program and accomplishments. The submission of records also allows ECA to provide accurate transcripts for future educational opportunities.

For more on curriculum choices, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Children with Special Educational Needs

For parents homeschooling a child with special educational needs, you may still access services for your child. Your child is entitled to the same services as children who are in a private school.

Students who are home schooled are entitled to the same services as children who are placed in private schools by their parents.  This is provided via a “services plan” and is generally some type of related service, such as speech therapy, as determined by the school district where the student is registered to home school.  The parent should contact the local school district for complete information.

tn.gov

QUICK FAQ’S ABOUT HOMESCHOOL LAW IN TN

Can a parent withdraw to homeschool at any point in the school year?

Yes. The cutoff date for registering to home school has been removed from the home school law.  A parent should be allowed to withdraw their child from public school and register for home school at any point in the school year. 

Is Power of Attorney sufficient as proof of legal guardianship?

No. A power of attorney is not the same thing as legal guardianship for the purposes of withdrawing a student to home school. 

Can a student that has been homeschooled during the kindergarten year enter public school for first grade?

Since home schooling in kindergarten is in compliance with the compulsory school attendance law, it is deemed an approved kindergarten program. A student who has been homeschooled during the kindergarten year may enter the first grade in a public school if they demonstrate acceptable performance on the district’s placement test. 

What rights do homeschooled students have for special education services from the local education district?

Students who are homeschooled are entitled to the same services as children who are placed in private schools by their parents. This is provided via a “services plan” and is generally some type of related service, such as speech therapy, as determined by the school district where the student is registered to home school. The parent should contact the local school district for complete information. 

Are homeschooled students allowed to take classes or participate in extracurricular activities at public school facilities?

As written in Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3050, public school facilities may be used by home school participants with the approval of the principal of the school, but this permissive authority shall not be construed to confer any right upon the participants to use public school facilities. If approved, use shall be in accordance with rules established by the local board of education. 

Are homeschooled students allowed to participate in public school athletic programs?

Independently registered home school students have the right to try out for sports/athletic teams at their local school district. TCA § 49-6-3050 states: (e)(1) If any of the public schools established under the jurisdiction of an LEA (Local Education Agency) are members of an organization or an association that regulates interscholastic athletic competition, and if such organization or association establishes or maintains eligibility requirements for home school students desiring to participate in interscholastic athletics at a member school, then the LEA shall permit participation in interscholastic athletics at those schools by home school students who satisfy the eligibility requirements established by the organization or association. (2) This subsection (e) does not guarantee that a home school student trying out for an interscholastic athletics team will make the team or supplant the authority of coaches or other school officials in deciding who makes the team. This subsection (e) is intended to guarantee only that the home school student shall not be prohibited from trying out for an interscholastic athletics team, if the student is eligible under the rules of the organization or association, solely by reason of the student’s status as a home school student. (3) This subsection (e) shall not be construed to limit or supplant the authority of the organization or association to determine eligibility and to establish, modify and enforce its rules and eligibility requirements, including those applicable to home school students. 

If a student is 18 years old, can they withdraw themselves as an independent homeschooler?

The home school law is defined as a school “conducted or directed by a parent or parents or a legal guardian or guardians for their own children.” So students (even if they are 18 years old) would not be allowed to withdraw themselves to home school.

Is the state curriculum mandated for independent homeschool students?

No.  The Home School Law (TCA 49-6-3050) provides very little guidance specific to the curriculum a parent must provide. The only mention of the curriculum is in section (b) (1): “…submission to the director of schools… the proposed curriculum to be offered…” But there is no mention of what the curriculum must be.  However, parents should keep in mind the testing requirement in grades 5, 7, and 9 in which their child will be tested on the grade level state curriculum in Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Parents should include those subjects in their proposed curriculum to ensure that their child will be prepared for testing in those areas. 

Is the local education association responsible for testing students enrolled in church-related homeschools?

No. The local school district is only responsible for testing students who are registered as independent home school students. 

Which end-of-year assessments are required of 9th-grade homeschooled students?

If a home school student in grade 9 is taking a course for which there is an end-of-course test, that student should be required to take that end-of-course exam. That will mean some 9th-grade students, depending on the courses they are taking, will have fewer tests to take that year than others. 

School Board Offices in the Upper Cumberland:

Cannon Co (629) 201-4801,  Clay Co (931) 243-3310, Cumberland Co (931) 484 3586, 

DeKalb Co (615) 597-4084, Fentress Co (931) 879-9218, Jackson Co (931) 268-0119, 

Macon Co (615) 666-2125, Overton Co (931) 823-1287, Picket Co (931) 864-3123, 

Putnam Co (931) 526-9777, Smith Co (615) 735-9625, Van Buren Co (931) 946-2242, 

Warren Co (931) 668-4022, White Co (931) 836-2229

For a copy of this and more information on TN Homeschool Law download the TN Department of Education FAQ page HERE.

TENNESSEE HOMESCHOOL OPTIONS

Families homeschooling their children in the State of Tennessee have three options to choose from. Families can register as;

• Independent Homeschool
• The church-related school (ECA is registered as a Catagory IV CRS)
• Category III Distance Learning School

Each choice has its own requirements. As a Category IV Church-related school, ECA is a full-service “umbrella” covering. Our reporting is easy and convenient. We do not require testing at any grade level. Your student’s records are completely confidential, and our staff is available to you.

Subsequently, when you choose a Category IV Church-Related school aka “umbrella school” option, you are considered the parent-educator. As the parent-educator, you agree to comply with the requirements of the umbrella school.

When transitioning a student who has been in a private or public school, the legal parent or guardian needs to withdraw the student from their current school so they are not reported as absent. Withdrawing a student can be done at any point in the school year, and it is a simple important step in your journey.

CHOOSING CURRICULUM

ECA does not provide a curriculum. We do not endorse nor recommend one curriculum over another. The curriculum you choose to use does not have to be purchased. Parents have the freedom to create their own curriculum tailored to their child’s interests and needs.

There are many choices in the curriculum. When making your choice you will want to consider your educational goals, your family dynamics, and your children’s learning styles. It is helpful to talk to other homeschooling families and attend seminars or support groups.

Understanding the major educational philosophies will help guide you in your choice. Many books have been written on these philosophies, as well as, blog articles. The major homeschool philosophies are;

• Classical
• Charlotte Mason
• Waldorf
• Montessori
• Unschooling
• World Schooling
• Relaxed/Eclectic

Homeschooling does not have to be expensive, nor does it have to be stressful. Our staff is available to answer any questions you have regarding planning your homeschool year. We are knowledgeable in many different philosophies, homeschooling multiple ages, and every stage of the journey.

To speak to our staff call our office at (931)349-8673 or email us at exoduschristianacademy@gmail.com