Missouri vs Tennessee: Homeschool Laws Compared

Missouri and Tennessee sit in the same tier: both require no notice to homeschool. They still differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: hours or days per year, required subjects, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

5

Same in both

4

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 Missouri to Tennessee

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

1. The annual target changes from 1,000 hours a year in Missouri to 180 days a year in Tennessee.
2. Tennessee names no required subjects. Missouri's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
3. Tennessee does not require a portfolio. Bring Missouri's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Tennessee against 7-17 in Missouri, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Tennessee the answer is yes; in Missouri it was yes, with conditions.

Moving from Tennessee to Missouri

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

1. The annual target changes from 180 days a year in Tennessee to 1,000 hours a year in Missouri.
2. Missouri names 5 required subjects (reading, math, social studies, language arts, science). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
3. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Missouri requires one and Tennessee did not.
4. Compulsory school ages are 7-17 in Missouri against 6-17 in Tennessee, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Missouri the answer is yes, with conditions; in Tennessee it was yes.

What stays the same

Missouri and Tennessee match on notice of intent, testing or evaluation, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Missouri 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 Missouri 5 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 Missouri 5 rules differ
• Illinois vs Tennessee 4 rules differ
• Iowa vs Missouri 3 rules differ
• Kansas vs Missouri 6 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Missouri 7 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Mississippi vs Tennessee 3 rules differ
• Missouri vs Nebraska 6 rules differ
• Missouri vs Oklahoma 5 rules differ
• North Carolina vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Texas 4 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Virginia 5 rules differ
• 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 a Homeschool Portfolio All 6 states in one table