Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
6.202
05/05/25
Home Schools
Rescinds:
Issued:
6.202
08/07/23
1
A "home school" is a school conducted or directed by parent or parents or legal guardian or guardians
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for their own children. Home schools which teach K-12 where the parents are associated with an
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organization that conducts church-related schools (as defined by §49-50-801) which are supervised by
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such organization and which administer standardized achievement tests at the same time tests are given
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in their regular day schools are exempt from the following provisions, but must follow procedures issued
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by the State Department of Education. 1
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A parent wishing to conduct a home school shall meet the following requirements:²
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1.
Provide annual notice to the director of schools before the commencement of each school year
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of the intent to conduct a home school;
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2.
Submit to the director of schools the name, number, age, grade level of children involved,
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location of the school, curriculum to be offered, proposed hours of instruction, qualifications
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of the parent/teacher, whether a college preparatory or general course of education will be
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taught in grades 9-12, and a description of the courses to be taught each year;
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3.
Maintain attendance records, subject to inspection of the local director of schools;
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4.
Submit attendance records to the director of schools at the end of each school year;
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5.
Provide instruction for at least four (4) hours per day for the same number of instructional days
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as are required by state law for public schools;³
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6.
Possess a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET;4
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7.
Cooperate in the administration to home school students of appropriate tests by the
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Commissioner of Education, his/her designee or by a professional testing service; Ensure the
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administration to home school students of appropriate tests approved by the State Board of
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Education or a standardized test selected by the parent-teacher that provides nationally normed
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analytics in English and math in grades five (5), seven (7), and nine (9);5
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8.
Take action according to state law if home school student falls behind appropriate grade level;
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9.
Submit proof to the director of schools that the home school student has been vaccinated as
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required by law;5
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Version Date: June 23, 2026
Home Schools
6.202
1
10.
Submit proof to the director of schools that other health services and examinations as required
2
by law have been received by the home school student; and
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4
11.
In the event of illness or inadequacy of the home school parent-teacher to teach a specific
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subject, employ a tutor having the same qualifications as required of parent/teacher.
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If one or more of these requirements are not met, the Board authorizes the director of schools to take
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formal action to bring the child into compliance with the Compulsory Attendance Law (until the child
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has reached age 17), either in the home school or in a public, private or church-related school.
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It shall be the policy of this Board that public school facilities shall be available for home school
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instruction only when all of the following conditions exist:
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1.
Special needs courses are being taught which require services unavailable to the home school
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student;
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2.
These services cannot be provided through any means other than the public schools;
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3.
Requests for services are made known by the home school parent when notice is given to the
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director of schools of the intent to conduct a home school;
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4.
The director of schools investigates request and make recommendations to the Board;
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5.
No overcrowding, additional expenses, including providing transportation, or other special
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situations which interfere with the normal operation of the school system shall be incurred; and
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6.
Approval by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
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The director of schools, through the attendance supervisor, shall have the attendance records of the home
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school inspected at least two (2) times each school year in order to provide assistance in implementing
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the Compulsory Attendance Law.
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Student Performance⁶
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If a home school student falls more than one (1) year behind his appropriate grade level in his/her
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comprehensive test score for two (2) consecutive tests, and if a certified teacher who would have taught
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the child at his/her grade level determines through appropriate means that the student is not learning
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disabled, the director of schools shall require the parents to enroll the child in a public, private or church-
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related school.
Page 2 of 3
Home Schools
6.202
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-50-801(a)
Compulsory Attendance Ages 6.201
2.
TCA 49-6-3050(b), (c)
3.
TCA 49-6-3004(a): TCA 49-6-3050(b)(3)
4. TCA 49-6-3050(b)(4)
5.
TCA 49-6-5001; Public Acts of 2026. Chapter No.
912
6.
TCA 49-6-3050(b)(6)
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Home Schools | Descriptor Code: 6.202 | Issued Date: 05/05/25 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 6.202 | Issued: 08/07/23 |