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Tennessee Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What Tennessee requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: TCA § 49-6-3050
- Instructional days: 180 days per year
- Testing: grades 5, 7, 9 (independent home schools registered with the LEA)
Independent home schools: annual notice to the LEA, 180 days of instruction, attendance records submitted at year end, and standardized testing at grades 5, 7, and 9 (TCA § 49-6-3050(b)). Students enrolled through a church-related umbrella school are exempt from the state testing requirement — the umbrella school sets its own policies.
Records you must keep in Tennessee
Tennessee runs three pathways — independent (registered with your LEA), a church-related umbrella school, or another umbrella school — and what you keep depends on which you choose:
- A record of attendance — 180 days at 4 instructional hours per day (the independent LEA-registered option submits these to the director of schools at year end)
- Standardized test results at grades 5, 7, and 9 (independent option; church-related umbrella students are exempt — the umbrella school sets its own policy)
- A portfolio of work samples organized by subject (Tennessee does not enumerate required subjects, but a portfolio documents your child's progress)
- Any records your umbrella school requires (grades, attendance, or assessments — church-related and other umbrella students follow their school's policies)
- If a tested student falls behind, records supporting the consultation or remedial plan the statute may call for
Your Tennessee filing timeline
- Before the school yearFile your annual notice with the LEA (independent option) or enroll with an umbrella / church-related school.
- All year longKeep attendance (180 days, 4 hours per day) and work samples current as you teach.
- Grades 5, 7 & 9Administer the required standardized test (independent option) and keep the results.
- End of the school yearSubmit your attendance records to the director of schools (independent option).
How FolioKid builds a Tennessee-compliant portfolio
You teach; FolioKid keeps the records Tennessee asks for on your pathway:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid organizes each entry by subject so your portfolio is easy to review.
- Log instructional time toward Tennessee's 180 days at 4 instructional hours per day.
- Add standardized test scores for grades 5, 7, and 9 (independent option) — or the records your umbrella school requires.
- Export a Tennessee-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your LEA, umbrella school, or reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Tennessee Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank attendance & hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official Tennessee sources
- 📜 Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3050 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ TN Dept. of Education — Home Schooling
- 🔎 HSLDA — Tennessee homeschool law summary
Tennessee homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Tennessee?
Homeschooling in Tennessee is governed by TCA § 49-6-3050. Independent home schools: annual notice to the LEA, 180 days of instruction, attendance records submitted at year end, and standardized testing at grades 5, 7, and 9 (TCA § 49-6-3050(b)). Students enrolled through a church-related umbrella school are exempt from the state testing requirement — the umbrella school sets its own policies. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not specify required subjects in its homeschool law, though parents are responsible for providing instruction as defined by TCA § 49-6-3050.
How many hours or days of instruction does Tennessee require?
Tennessee requires 180 days per year.
Does Tennessee require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
Yes — Tennessee requires standardized testing (grades 5, 7, 9 (independent home schools registered with the LEA)).
Keeping records for Tennessee? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Tennessee's requirements.
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