Comments on: Church related school diploma not worth paper it is written on

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:38:57 +0000

I agree, Rebecca. At least that is the way it should be.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:38:51 +0000

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.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:24:03 +0000

“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.

By: Life On The Planet

Life On The Planet — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:42:55 +0000

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.

By: Marcy Muser

Marcy Muser — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:21:46 +0000

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.

By: JJ Ross

JJ Ross — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:17:56 +0000

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.

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:51:56 +0000

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.

By: Sunniemom

Sunniemom — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:46:49 +0000

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.

By: JJ Ross

JJ Ross — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:28:46 +0000

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”

By: Life On The Planet

Life On The Planet — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:36:30 +0000

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.