Under Tennessee's “compulsory education” laws, children must attend public, private, or home schools from the time they’re six years old until their 18th birthday. But there are exceptions, and some students may drop out early. Below is a summary of the state’s requirements for staying in school, dropping out, and getting high school equivalency diplomas.
Requirements for Dropping Out Legally
Tennessee students may drop out legally when they turn 18. Younger students may leave school before graduation if they:
- are attending and making satisfactory progress in an approved course to prepare for a high school equivalency exam (more on that below)
- have been homeschooled and have turned 17
- are mentally or physically unable to attend school, or
- are 17, and the local board of education has decided that their continued attendance wouldn’t benefit them but would hinder school order and the education of other students.
(Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 49-6-3001, 49-6-3005 (2019).)
Costs of Dropping Out
While dropping out of school can bring long-term financial consequences, students who simply stop going to school before they turn 18 could face more immediate legal consequences for truancy.
In addition, early dropouts will have their Tennessee drivers' licenses suspended. And all teenagers who are under 18 and haven't graduated won't be able to get a license or learner's permit in the first place unless they submit a form showing that they're regularly attending and making satisfactory progress in school or an equivalency prep course. However, this driving restriction won’t apply if school officials decide that a student dropped out or couldn’t make adequate progress in school because of circumstances beyond the youngster’s control, which don't include being expelled or suspended. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3017 (2019).)
High School Equivalency Tests
Tennessee residents without a high school diploma can receive an equivalency diploma if they pass the HiSET exam. In order to take the test, you have to be at least 18 years old (or 17 if you have a recommendation from your local school superintendent). (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-03-.06 (2019).)