Arkansas vs Tennessee: Homeschool Laws Compared

Arkansas is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Tennessee requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 4 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

4

Same in both

5

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Arkansas to Tennessee

Once you are a Tennessee resident you homeschool under Tennessee's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in Tennessee. Before you leave, send Arkansas's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. Start logging from your first day: Tennessee counts 180 days a year, and Arkansas set no minimum.
3. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Tennessee against 5-17 in Arkansas, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
4. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Tennessee the answer is yes; in Arkansas it was yes, with conditions.

Moving from Tennessee to Arkansas

Once you are a Arkansas resident you homeschool under Arkansas's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Arkansas resident. Tennessee did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. Arkansas sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
3. Compulsory school ages are 5-17 in Arkansas against 6-17 in Tennessee, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
4. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Arkansas the answer is yes, with conditions; in Tennessee it was yes.

What stays the same

Arkansas and Tennessee match on required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Arkansas nor Tennessee takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Alabama vs Tennessee 3 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Louisiana 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Missouri 5 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Oklahoma 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Texas 3 rules differ
• California vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• Georgia vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Illinois vs Tennessee 4 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Mississippi vs Tennessee 3 rules differ
• Missouri vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• North Carolina vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Texas 4 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Virginia 5 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table