Tennessee
Registration Problems for High School Students
A number of Home School Legal Defense Association member families, who home school in association with a church-related school, have encountered difficulties in registering their high school students with the local school district. In some cases, local districts are insisting that parents provide more information than is reasonably necessary to register these students. While state law requires that these students must “register” with the local education agency which they would otherwise attend, the statutory language does not describe the information to be given to the local district in accomplishing the registration. As a result, local districts have established their own policies about what information is necessary, sometimes creating a difference of opinion between public school officials and home schooling parents.
Approximately two years ago, HSLDA attorney Dewitt Black and a group of home school leaders representing various organizations conferred with Tennessee Department of Education officials concerning development of a registration form which would be acceptable to all parties. The registration form considered acceptable by those participating in these discussions requires the following information for students in grades 9-12 registering with the local school district: student’s name and grade and the teaching parent’s name and mailing address. Optional information sought on the form includes the student’s date of birth, social security number, the name of the church-related school, and a list of courses to be taught. Most parents choose not to provide the optional information.
HSLDA has been able to resolve difficulties with registration by providing the local district with a copy of the registration form previously approved by the department of education and accepted by state home school leaders. Any other member families experiencing difficulties with registration should contact our office for assistance.
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Tennessee
Admitted to statehood:
June 1, 1796
Origin of name:
Tanasi was the name of Cherokee villages on the Little Tennessee River. From 1784 to 1788 this was the state of Franklin, or Frankland.
Motto:
Agriculture and commerce.
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