I want to Homeschool. Now What? Step 2

 

You may wish to grab a cup of coffee because step two may take a little while. It is slightly more complicated than step one but be assured, it's not difficult to wrap your head around. 

It’s time to choose how you would like to register your homeschool based on what you want your homeschool experience to look like.

In Tennessee, you have three options. 

1. You may register with your local school board as an independent homeschool

2. You may register with a church-related school (umbrella school) 

3. You may register with an accredited online school.

I am going to share examples of how to register using two local options in Putnam County, TN: our local public school system, and Daniel 1 Academy. I have used both.

Public School System:

The first option through the public school system is an "on your own,” independent option. Basically, you turn in your required forms and begin homeschooling with little to no strings attached. As long as you let them know you taught for 180 days and turn in grades as required, you are good to go. Again, 5th, 7th, and 9th graders will have to report for standardized tests. This may be the simplest option of them all. The following forms are all that are required:

1. You must submit an intent to homeschool letter, birth certificate, immunizations or religious exemption form, and proof of high school diploma or GED to the superintendent's office. 

The second option within our public school system to school at home is called VITAL Home Connect. Technically speaking this is a public school option that offers some freedoms not found in the traditional public school classroom. It is not the same as what many experienced during COVID shutdowns. It is a program that is powered by Tech Trep. Tech Trep is a free, full-time K-8 distance learning program in which parents are able to use curriculum options provided by Tech Trep OR the curricula of their choice. This includes Christian curricula. The big advantage for parents is that this program reimburses up to $1700 per child for curricula, technology, special classes, and many other resources. But there is a catch. Although you can use whatever curriculum you wish, they cannot reimburse those that are religious in nature. It is a government-funded program that uses public school tax dollars and because of this, the requirements are much more extensive than the first "no strings attached" homeschool options. It is important to understand these requirements thoroughly if you choose this school-at-home route. 

1. To begin you must apply to the program and submit each student's birth certificate and immunization records or religious exemption form. One parent must submit proof of parent education (high school, college, or GED diploma)

2. Once accepted, you are required to submit an online learning plan which will include what curricula you plan to use for each core subject.

3. You must also submit what electives your students plan to participate in. (athletics, art, music lessons, field trips, classes outside the home, etc)

4. During the school year your child must submit a bi-weekly learning log that shows what he or she has been studying. They must also meet certain learning goals throughout the year. A late or missing log results in a grade reduction for that subject. 

5. Children in K-2nd grade must complete three reading screener tests online via Zoom with a distance learning teacher.

6. Children in 3rd-7th grade must take standardized tests at the end of the year.

Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in loss of reimbursements.

Daniel 1 Academy

Daniel 1 Academy has been around a very long time, since 1992. It is a church-related (umbrella) school that aims to enable parents to educate their children how they see fit while satisfying state requirements. 

To get started, you will need to submit the following information to Daniel 1 Academy:

1. An application

2. Processing fee of $20 and yearly registration fee of $100-$110 per child (discount for 3rd+ children)

3. A Records Request Form (found on their website in the link above)

4. Proof of parent education (high school, college, or GED diploma)

5. Birth Certificate for each student

6. Proof of guardianship if not the child's parents

7. Unofficial copy of a transcript from former school (if applicable)

8. Curricula plan for each subject

Each semester you will be required to go online and submit a letter grade for each subject as well as how many days you taught. It is required by the state to teach 180 days per school year. It's as simple as that.

Daniel 1 Academy also has a private school option and offers an online or correspondence program. In the home school option, you are responsible for choosing the curriculum, teaching, and grading. In the private school option, Daniel 1 staff will grade the unit tests. 

Still have questions? Ask in the comments section!

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