CURRENT GRADE: C
There are over 1 million school aged children in the state but only 22,000 are eligible for funding to attend non-public school. The state is heading in the right direction by recently establishing new school choice laws, they must expand to offer opportunities to many more students.
Homeschooling is burdensome for parents with government intrusion including testing requirements and oversight by government entities.
Compulsory education is required for ages 6-17.
Education Options
- Education Freedom Act of 2025
- Provides 20,000 scholarships/vouchers for $7,296 for students to attend approved private schools.
- Homeschooled students or certain church-related home schools are not eligible.
- Half of the vouchers are based on income.
- Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA)
- Restricted to students only residing in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) on May 24, 2019.
- State and local funding may be used for pre-approved education expenses in participating non-public schools.
- In 2023-24 a total of 2,088 students participated.
- Individualized Education Account Program
- Students with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for funds to be used at qualifying non-public schools.
- 423 students were served in 2023-24.
- Individualized tax credits and deductions
- Parents receive state income tax relief for approved educational expenses (tuition, books, computers, tutors, and transportation).
- Charter Schools
- The state has approximately 112 public charter schools.
- The TN Public Charter School Commission oversees the process for charter school authorizations and appeals.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state requirements on the topic of homeschooling:
- Parent must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- An intent to home school form must be submitted every year.
- The TCAP assessment must be taken in grades 5,7, and 9.
- Attendance records must be submitted annually.
- Home schooled students may participate in public school extracurricular activities if it is permitted by the local school board.
Religious Exemptions:
There is no standard procedure by which a parent can receive a religious exemption to homeschool.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
