Posted by: jdriller in Parenting on Apr 07, 2009
1. Are you regulated by the state re homeschooling? Do they dictate your curricula or make your kids submit to standardized testing?
Answer:
(taken from http://tnhomeed.com/HSLaw.html)
Tennessee laws regarding home schooling are varied. There are choices. In Tennessee you have 3 options for registering as a "homeschooler":
* with the Local Education Agency as a n " independent homeschooler"
* with a Church Related School as a "homeschooler"
* with a Church Related School that considers your home a satellite campus of their school. You're considered a "private schooler" as noted below.Technically, this isn't homeschooling according to the Jeter Memorandum but enrollment in "private school". This is an important legal distinction you'll want to remember. But since it's done at home by the parents--most of us call it homeschooling.
* Enroll in the distance learning program of a school accredited by AdvancED per the Tennessee State Board of Education's Category III definition. This is also not homeschooling but private schooling.
I use the 3rd option, so technically I'm a private schooler. It amounts to the same thing but it offers me more "protection" as well as options.
I'm registered with Home Life Academy in Memphis. They do not require a certain curriculum nor standardized testing. I am in complete control. I chose this school primarily for those reasons. My personal educational philosophy poopoos standardized testing as a measure of intelligence. I think they were invented to gauge teacher performance and help with budget reviews. I don't believe every child learns and grows and develops at a "standardized" rate, so I choose to educate my children with a focus on their individuality.
Now, with that said, the state can, at any time, question us. If that were to happen, I would of course refer them to Home Life Academy, but I do keep examples of the kids' work. I try to journal what I can, and I use a computer curriculum that keeps track of their attendance. It also quizzes and tests them.
I'm happy to answer questions.