Georgia vs Tennessee: Homeschool Laws Compared

Georgia is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while Tennessee requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, testing or evaluation, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

6

Same in both

3

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 Georgia 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 Georgia's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. The annual target changes from 810 hours over 180 days a year in Georgia to 180 days a year in Tennessee.
3. Tennessee names no required subjects. Georgia's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
4. Tennessee requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Georgia's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
5. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Tennessee against 6-16 in Georgia, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Tennessee the answer is yes; in Georgia it was yes, with conditions.

Moving from Tennessee to Georgia

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

1. File a notice of intent with the state education department once you are a Georgia resident. Tennessee did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. The annual target changes from 180 days a year in Tennessee to 810 hours over 180 days a year in Georgia.
3. Georgia names 5 required subjects (reading, language arts, math, social studies, science). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
4. Georgia requires standardized testing, at specified grade levels. Tennessee had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
5. Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Georgia against 6-17 in Tennessee, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Georgia the answer is yes, with conditions; in Tennessee it was yes.

What stays the same

Georgia and Tennessee match on the portfolio, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Georgia 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 Georgia 5 rules differ
• Alabama vs Tennessee 3 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Tennessee 4 rules differ
• California vs Georgia 6 rules differ
• California vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Georgia 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• Georgia vs New York 7 rules differ
• Georgia vs North Carolina 5 rules differ
• Georgia vs South Carolina 6 rules differ
• Georgia vs Texas 5 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
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 19 states in one table