Resources

Homeschooling Resources

How to Get Started with Homeschooling
Legal Requirements
Enroll your child in one of the three types of schools:
Independent home school

Parent/guardian must have at least a high school diploma/GED.
Before the start of school year, you must submit a notice of intent to the superintendent of the school district (local education agency or LEA). A sample form is available on the TN Dept of Education website.
Submit proof of immunization.
Maintain attendance records to submit to superintendent at the end of school year. Report forms available by clicking here.
Testing is required in grades 5, 7, and 9.

Church Related School (CRS)

Category III Distance-Learning School (these are non-public schools accredited by one of several accreditation associations). For a complete list click here.

Must report student attendance information to the director of the public school system where you live.

Set realistic expectations for yourself and your student

“Don’t re-create conventional schooling in your home. There’s no need to. Homeschooling looks more like mentoring or tutoring.” Dr. Debra Bell (author, educational specialist, and veteran homeschool mom)
Pray through the yearly goals you have for each child and set out a plan to accomplish them. Focus not only on academic goals, but physical, spiritual, and social as well.

Choose a curriculum that works for your family

First, consider why you are homeschooling. What are the big-picture things you want your child to know before they leave home? (math, English, life skills, character, work ethic, family ministry opportunities, etc.) When you understand what you want to accomplish, then you have a better idea of how to accomplish it.
Next, take some time to determine your child’s learning style (the way they most easily learn and process new information/skills). By identifying their preferred learning style, we are able to choose teaching methods and materials that are more likely to be successful.
Try these links:

Network for Support

MHEA - Volunteer organization that provides field trips, competitive sports teams, Kindergarten and High School graduation, student activity groups, yearbook, and more. Yearly membership fee - $35
HSLDA – Homeschool Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children and to protect family freedoms. HSLDA provides homeschooling-related legal advice and representation to 84,000+ member families, promotes homeschool-friendly legislation at the state and federal levels, and offers information and resources to encourage and support all homeschoolers. Yearly membership - $120 / year
Local support groups and student groups
Co-ops and Tutorials – provide classes for students of all ages.

A homeschool co-op, or cooperative, is a group of families who meet together and work cooperatively to achieve common goals. They can be organized around academics, fine arts, service projects, enrichment, etc. Each member family participates to provide classes for the students.
Tutorials provide academic and enrichment classes in a structured, classroom setting taught by qualified tutors in the subject matter. Fees are based on individual classes.

Bellevue Tutorial
The Bridge Tutorial
Community Tutorial
The Connection Tutorial
The Cordova Tutorial