Tennessee homeschoolers have been engaged in an ongoing battle with the state Department of Education over the recognition of certain types of diplomas. Last year, Tn DOE Executive Director of Field Services described diplomas handed out by the so-called Category IV schools (church-related, unaccredited schools) as “Worthless. Not worth the paper they’re printed on.” Kay Brooks wrote up much more about that at the time, but the issue doesn’t seem to have died.
Apparently, a Tennessee legislator tabled some legislation that would have clarified the worth of diplomas issued by homeschoolers by declaring that:
…diplomas issued by home schools be recognized by all state and local governmental entities as having the same rights and privileges of diplomas issued by public school systems. Nashville Scene
All to the ire of Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene.
Only hours after tirelessly defending armed wife beaters in a grueling committee hearing, Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, was scheduled to launch a new crusade to devalue the diplomas of all Tennessee high school graduates. Ibid.
Just because he wants homeschool diplomas to be recognized. I know little about armed wife beaters in Tennessee and less about Senator Bunch, but how exactly does the recognition of a homeschool diploma devalue the diploma issued by the public school system?
Or does it only have value if all are forced to obtain it?
Is there a larger principle home education advocates all support, that would apply to this specific? Do we generally agree that individuals ARE, or are NOT, rightfully free to define public licenses and credentials for ourselves, and then to force the public to accept our minority alternatives as legally equivalent to their majority’s rule?
What about when the piece of paper is a marriage license outside the mainstream, rather than a high school diploma? Or when it defies medical rather than educational protocol? (Octomom defining her own standards for how many embryos to implant at one time, say.)
At the moment, it sounds like there is considerable question as to whether agencies are allowed to accept these diplomas, even when the graduates have gone on to complete college or other training programs.
I’ve never objected to educational institutions, employers, etc. asking for something independent to go along with a homeschool diploma. Many of them do that with children who have gone through the public school system (speaking of the SAT, ACT, interviews or whatever).
But that is different than saying there is only one acceptable proof of meeting graduation requirements: the one given out by the state.
But more to my question…if they decide to accept a homeschool diploma as equivalent, how does that devalue a public school diploma? And yes, I think that is pretty similar to asking how granting marriage licenses to one group affects another group.
Thinking back to the conflict with Pepsi when they wouldn’t accept homeschool certificates. They are a private company and free to make their hiring decisions as they wish. I would only get upset if the state were saying they couldn’t hire a homeschool graduate even if they wanted to.
The only recourse in a situation like that is to continue dialog, talk to the managers and their managers and see what can be worked out. I don’t remember the details, but I know some were eventually hired and I believe Pepsi was happy enough with their new employees.
But what is open to you if you want a job with the state? The whole talking thing doesn’t work if the DOE is telling every agency that you’re diploma isn’t worth the paper it is printed on. To change the state’s policy, you have to challenge the law.
And in the absence of a graduation test, why does he assume PS High School diplomas actually have any value at all?
Sounds like Dana and I are of like mind then, on both marriage licenses and diplomas. Now to persuade everyone else. . .
Milehimama, that was my thought exactly.
Before we moved to the Memphis area, we were warned by people who worked in Memphis City Schools NOT to move to Memphis (which is why we are in northern MS) just in case we ever had to put our children in school.
JJ: Sounds like Dana and I are of like mind then, on both marriage licenses and diplomas. Now to persuade everyone else. . .
Count me in. I’m persuaded, too.
Honestly, I’ve never really understood why any child (in my state, at least) would have to go w/o a diploma if they were failing in school. Legally, all you have to do as a parent is pull your student out of school, submit an online form declaring yourself a homeschool (2 minutes max), then grant your child a diploma from your “school.” When I first started homeschooling, I was told about great websites where you can download “diploma” templates. Behind closed doors, we laughed at how ridiculous it is. I understand that most families are homeschooling in good faith, but there’s such potential for abuse where diplomas are concerned.