Thinking of Homeschooling? Talk to a Nashville Education Lawyer First

More and more parents are opting to homeschool their children or place them in small homeschool groups instead of putting them in public schools, private schools, or charter schools. In fact, Tennessee and other states across the country are seeing increasing amounts of students being homeschooled.

There are various reasons why this trend may be popular and increasing. However, if you are a parent who is considering doing the same with your child, you may want to consult with a Nashville education attorney before you start.

What is homeschooling and how does it work?

Homeschooling is when a parent or both parents decide to teach their child themselves. This form of education can occur at home or within a group of parents who have gathered together and formed a church-related homeschool group, which is becoming very popular. The parents typically still teach their children core classes, such as math, science, history, and English.

However, they may also incorporate other courses that may not be offered at traditional schools, such as religious studies and college preparatory courses. It is also not uncommon for the homeschooling curriculum to be individualized and centered around what the child may like or plan to pursue in college. For example, parents may know that their child has a big interest in architecture or film studies, so they ensure that several of their homeschool courses involve those subjects.

Many parents choose homeschooling because their children may have learning delays or disabilities or they simply need extra one-on-one attention. By choosing to homeschool, parents may be able to provide more support and guidance to their children and cater to their specific learning styles and needs. Therefore, homeschooling is typically a process in which the parents decide to unenroll their children from their current school and ensure that they receive their education from home.

Am I legally allowed to homeschool my child in Nashville, TN?

Parents are legally allowed to homeschool their child in Nashville, Tennessee, as long as they have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Tennessee Code Ann. 49-50-801 explains that parents currently have two options when it comes to homeschooling their child in the state of Tennessee, which includes independent home school or an approved church-related group, school, or organization. Another form of homeschooling that some parents choose for their child is an online school.

However, even though the child may be doing their schoolwork on the computer at home, Tennessee technically does not see this as a form of homeschooling as long as the school has received its accreditation from an agency under the Tennessee State Board of Education. You must ensure that the online school that you want your child to attend is approved and accredited, which you can determine online.

Five reasons why you should consult with a Nashville education lawyer before deciding to homeschool

Even though a recent news article shows that homeschooling enrollment has increased by almost 20 percent in the state of Tennessee, you want to make sure that you know and understand everything possible about this education method before you and your child make this move. An education lawyer has the experience, skills, and knowledge to help you decide if this is the right type of education for your family and, if so, assist you with navigating this new transition. Here are five reasons why you should consult with an education attorney before deciding to homeschool:

1. You need to make sure that the way you plan to homeschool is legal in Tennessee: As mentioned, Tennessee has legal ways that you can homeschool. Therefore, if you are confused or have questions about the potential way that you plan to homeschool, it is important that you ask your attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can explain whether or not the way you want to homeschool is legal in Tennessee, which is valuable information as you do not want to go against the law.
2. You need to correctly withdraw your child from their public, private, or charter school: Before you can start homeschooling, you must correctly withdraw your child from their public, private, or charter school. Children are required to be in school, so if you do not withdraw them, truancy officers could show up at your home to do a welfare check and see why your child is not in school. Therefore, you do not want to put this off. Instead, go to your child’s school right away and explain that you are withdrawing your child from the school. Next, you will need to fill out the Tennessee Notice of Intent to Home School if you are choosing an independent home school or church-related home school.
3. You need to choose a curriculum for your child: While there is not much information available regarding what is required for your child’s curriculum in the state of Tennessee, you will still need to send your child’s proposed course list to the school directly where you live. You need to make sure that it is an approved course or curriculum list that you plan to teach your child at home.
4. You need to make sure that your child is ready and prepared for testing: There are certain grade levels (5th, 7th, and 9th) in which your child will have to sit for testing to see how well he or she is doing academically. These tests are typically core classes such as math, English, history, and science. Therefore, make sure that these courses are being taught and that your child is comprehending the material and ready to sit for the exams.
5. You need to make sure that you are 100 percent ready for homeschooling and will show up for your child every school day: Homeschooling is a big decision. Some children or even parents think that it is a way to do whatever they want and tend to slack off after some time. Unfortunately, when this happens, the children suffer academically, and it can possibly lead to legal troubles if your child is not learning or earning an education at all. Before you make this decision, it is critical that you make sure that you and your child are 100 percent on board for homeschooling and will put in the effort every school day. The minute that you notice that you or your children are struggling or not enjoying homeschooling, you should take appropriate actions such as re-enrolling them back into a public, private, or charter school to ensure that they do not get too far behind in their studies.

Are you considering homeschooling your child this year or in the near future? If so, you may find it helpful to schedule a consultation with a Nashville education attorney, Perry A. Craft, to get advice and address your concerns regarding homeschooling. We will guide you through this new journey of homeschooling as well as ensure that you are aware of all necessary laws and regulations. Contact The Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC, to learn more.