Kentucky vs Tennessee: Homeschool Laws Compared

Kentucky 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 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. The annual target changes from 1,062 hours over 170 days a year in Kentucky to 180 days a year in Tennessee.
3. Tennessee names no required subjects. Kentucky's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Tennessee against 6-18 in Kentucky, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Tennessee runs Education Freedom Scholarship Act (EFS). Check whether your family qualifies; Kentucky had no comparable program.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Tennessee the answer is yes; in Kentucky it was district decides.

Moving from Tennessee to Kentucky

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

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Kentucky 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 1,062 hours over 170 days a year in Kentucky.
3. Kentucky names 8 required subjects (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, math, science, civics). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in Kentucky against 6-17 in Tennessee, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Kentucky has no ESA program. Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarship Act (EFS) is for Tennessee residents, so budget without it.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Kentucky the answer is district decides; in Tennessee it was yes.

What stays the same

Kentucky and Tennessee match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, and progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Kentucky 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 Tennessee 4 rules differ
• California vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• Georgia vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Illinois vs Kentucky 5 rules differ
• Illinois vs Tennessee 4 rules differ
• Indiana vs Kentucky 5 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Missouri 7 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Ohio 4 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Kentucky vs West Virginia 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