HB 552 / SB 494

The FREE Act creates a new, fully independent home school option in Tennessee that is free from state oversight, data collection, or reporting requirements. This bill recognizes that parents have the fundamental right to direct their children’s education and allows them to operate a home school without state interference or regulation.

Under this legislation, parents who choose to educate their children at home under this new category are not subject to state-mandated standardized tests, attendance tracking, or curriculum requirements. Unlike other home school options that may require oversight from the local school district or a church-related umbrella school, this bill ensures that parents are solely responsible for their children’s education without any state-mandated reporting.

Additionally, the bill removes barriers for home-schooled students by eliminating requirements that tie driver’s license eligibility to school attendance, ensuring that home-schooled students are not penalized for choosing an independent educational path.

By passing this legislation, Tennessee would solidify educational freedom, protect parental rights, and ensure that families can educate their children without government oversight or intrusion. This bill is a major step toward ensuring that home schooling remains a truly independent choice for parents seeking to educate their children according to their own values and methods.