Homeschooling has become popular in many states in the United States, and Tennessee is no different. Many families are looking to educate their children at home. They want flexibility and personalization while teaching their kids. However, Tennessee has some laws for homeschooling families.
If you want to homeschool your child, you can control everything, but you must comply with the state’s laws. Also, you need to handle administrative tasks. If you are a beginner in the homeschooling world and need guidance, there’s an option for you. You can get help from umbrella schools. They provide necessary resources, support, and expertise to help you. Do you want to learn more about homeschool Tennessee? In this post, we will explore the essential tips to begin your homeschooling. Let’s get started!
Why Homeschooling in Tennessee?
If you homeschool your kids, you can control their education. For instance, you can choose your own curriculum that fits your kid’s learning style and unique needs. You can also set flexible schedules. That means you can select the study hours and break times. If your kids need a vacation, you can take them anywhere you want.
Homeschooling allows you to teach lessons tailored to your kids’ strengths and weaknesses. You can explore any topic in-depth and create a more personalized learning environment.
4 Essential Tips to Start Your Homeschool Journey in Tennessee
Are you excited to start homeschooling but don’t know where to begin? Check these essential tips. These strategies help you start your homeschooling in Tennessee like a pro.
1. Understand Tennessee’s Homeschooling Laws
Like any state, Tennessee has some laws for homeschooling families. You must comply with these regulations. If you plan to homeschool your kids in Tennessee, you should get familiar with Tennessee homeschooling laws.
The first rule is to let the state know that you are homeschooling your child. You must file an “Intent to Homeschool” with your local school district within 30 days of starting your homeschool program. Also, regardless of the school system, your child must attend school between the ages of 6 and 17.
If you register as an independent teacher, you must possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
2. Choose a Homeschooling Curriculum
As a parent, you know your child very well. You are aware of which subjects your child is good at and where they need to improve. On the other hand, the state offers flexibility to choose your own curriculum as long as you cover several mandatory subjects. These are math, science, English, and social studies.
You should consider your budget while choosing the curriculum. Some are free, and others can be expensive. If you have a limited budget, go for affordable options.
3. Set Up a Homeschool Schedule
When it comes to homeschool, you can control almost everything. You are the teacher, mentor, and administrator. So, you get to decide when, where, and how long you want to teach your kids each day. Though you have complete freedom to set up your teaching schedules, ensure you follow a consistent and structured routine. This will help your kid stay focused.
However, don’t stick to a long session. Your kids need breaks. So schedule time for lunch, outdoor activities, and recess.
4. Keep Detailed Records
Tennessee requires homeschooling parents to keep detailed records of their child’s progress. For instance, you need to maintain a daily log of which subjects you cover each day, assignments, test reports, and assessments. Your local school district randomly requests that to submit these records.
However, if you don’t like maintaining regular reports, you can get help from umbrella schools. Popular schools like Graduates Academy handle most of the administrative tasks and submit them to your school board. These institutions take care of paperwork so you can focus on teaching.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling can be an exciting journey if you have proper knowledge about state laws. If you are experienced and possess the required qualifications, like a high school diploma, you can act as an independent homeschool teacher. However, if things are confusing for you, enroll your kids in umbrella schools. They help you with every step of your homeschooling journey.
