I think the educational bureaucracy in Tennessee has gone just a little over the edge recently. It apparently does not like church related schools very much, even if these represent one of the ways to homeschool a child outlined in Tennessee law. From the Tennessee Home Education Association (emphasis mine):
Cindy Benefield with the Department of Education told a graduate from a church related school, “Your diploma is not worth the paper it is written on.” He has to have a high school diploma to be able to work in his current profession. (You won’t believe the courage and heartbreak I must tell you about below.)
Later the department did offer that he could take the GED and they would accept that. What that means is this The DOE will accept making a 70 on a 6th grade level test, but they flatly reject a high school diploma given by a church related school. (They also rejected a Police Officer who after receiving his diploma, graduated from the Police academy with a 4.0 and are setting suspects free, because the arresting officer, a CRS graduate, had to be administratively demoted and cannot appear in court to be a witness in his cases.) TNHomeEd.com
Apparently, this goes back to a rule passed back in 1992 invalidating diplomas issued by church related schools designated as Category IV who neither have nor desire state accreditation. And it does not matter what you have accomplished after this diploma…ACT, SAT, Police Academy or college degree…if your high school diploma is not from an accredited institution, it is worthless. In a meeting with the state commissioner on April 29, the only remedy he saw was for the legislature to pass a law specifically allowing these diplomas to be recognized.
So it was drafted. And the Department of Education slipped in an amendment of its own, making it clear that they are not merely doing what the law requires but are actively seeking to gain more control of church related schools (emphasis mine):
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a student who has a diploma awarded by § 49-50-801 or §49-6-3050 shall be considered by all departments, agencies or entities of state government as possessing a valid high school diploma as long as all entities issuing diplomas pursuant to the above statutes require and document that all teachers conducting classes in kindergarten through grade either (K-8) hold a valid high school diploma or GED and all teachers conducting classes in grades nine through twelve (9-12) hold at least a baccalaureate degree awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the state board of education. This section shall not apply to state lottery proceeds as provided title 49, chapter 4, part 9…
And compare that to the way the law currently reads:
The state board of education and local boards of education are prohibited from regulating the selection of faculty or textbooks or the establishment of a curriculum in church-related schools. Tennesse.gov
But they just can’t leave it alone. They asked for a law allowing them to accept these diplomas and used it as another means of obtaining control.
Fortunately, Tennessee homeschoolers seem to have a couple of friends in the legislature.
5/5/08: The legislation passed in the House Education Committee with the amendment proposed by Rep. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Rep. Dennis Ferguson (D-Midtown). The DOE Amendment never came into play. It now goes to the full House for a vote. It must also pass through the Senate. Stay tuned for information of when it will be heard next. More details on the days events to follow. I highly recommend Rob Shearer’s overview in the meantime. TNHomeEd.com
(The amendment which passed requires the state to recognize Category IV diplomas.)
Legislation is messy business, and you have to watch that Board of Education like a hawk.
More detailed information at Contending With the Culture.
Update: Just found this. That is some mighty fine English, Mr. Legislator. I think it might not sound as bad with a thick Tennessee accent, though.
When we moved to the Memphis area, we had the choice of TN, AR or MS. We chose not to live in TN because of taxes and homeschool laws. I wonder if they know they are losing potential residents because of their idiocy. I wonder if they care.
I’ve come to understand the political problem in TN particularly, as unfortunate entanglements between education and religion. This Rob Shearer who wrote the blogpost linked above is all about religion, not education. I sadly concluded this after clashing with him on an established list and losing the argument that homeschooing was about education issues, not Christian beliefs.
Religious freedom is good. Academic freedom is good. Doesn’t make them the same thing.
“Homeschooling Is Sustainable Education Alternative”
Politicians just can’t stand not to be in complete control. They want students to pass their tests, attend their schools that are accredited with their agencies, and receive their Golden Sticker of Approval on the diploma.
We all know where the educrats worship- The First Accredited Church of the Certified Elitist.
I’m not sure exactly what you mean not having participated in the discussion, but I don’t think it negates him as a source for a little more background on what is happening in TN.
I haven’t figured out what I think about the “education is inherently religious” argument. But I think a lot of it comes from the thought that people think this brings homeschooling under the protection of the first amendment. It was similar arguments that changed the law here in NE to allow religious homeschooling and the broader “philosophical objectors” were added later.
Life on the Planet, Tennessee was beautiful. But I don’t think I like the homeschool laws.
And I think you are right, Sunniemom. I really do understand an employer or college wanting something besides mom’s signature on a piece of paper saying that a child has successfully completed a course of study. But once you have gone on to the next step, whether that is the ACT/SAT, community college, university, etc., I don’t see understand the obsession with the paper anymore.
To clarify, I certainly make no suggestion he should be negated as a source on what’s happening in TN, quite the opposite! Shearer is a perfect exemplar of what’s happening in TN, which is that conservative Christianity and academic education policy are clashing. To the detriment of both imo but those are not my main concern — my main concern is that none of this racheting up of conflict and control from either side, is good for family home education freedom.
Dana,
It sounds like the situation in TN right now is ugly. I find it hard to believe the education establishment has enough power to negate a person’s qualifications even after they have gotten another diploma, degree or credential from a post-secondary institution. And it doesn’t only affect homeschoolers – it sounds like it would affect ANY Christian or religious school that was not accredited. I’m amazed the law has stood this long – the only thing I can figure is they haven’t been enforcing it until recently.
Let’s hope the legislation passes quickly and without any foolish DOE amendments.
Dana, Tennessee is very beautiful. I would have enjoyed living there. Memphis, on the other hand…
I used to shop at the Wal-Mart just across the state line, but when taxes went up to about 9 and a half percent I started shopping elsewhere!
High taxes & a rotten school system…It’s a delightful combination.
“and you have to watch that Board of Education like a hawk.”
Second that! It’s almost over for some (term limits), but still Nebraska has just had one of the most destructive legislatures in regards to education either public, private or home.
Unfortunately unless the citizens take control of this Representative Republic such legislatures will abound.
Colleges, employers, and vocational schools have always accepted adult applicants who lack formal education based on “life experience” — my dh has a seminary classmate who graduated with him who was more excited about graduation than ordination because he had never even graduated from high school. Yet he had left a successful and lucrative career as a computer programmer to earn a master’s degree at seminary and received an actual diploma for the first time at age 40.
Seems to me like it is up to the institution or employer what applicants they accept and on what basis — not the state.
I agree, Rebecca. At least that is the way it should be.
It always makes me disapponted to know that someone values a paper much more than knowledge and intelligence. Diplomas help to imagine the level of a student but they should never influence the final decision. Just IMHO.