Welcome. You'll find comments and information here about education in Tennessee with a focus on Nashville as well other issues as I keep an eye on legislation and news. You'll quickly realize I'm a conservative Christian who isn't the quiet submissive type and doesn't mind rankling, if necessary, to get the job done.
Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), who kept his cards close to the vest, signed the homeschool diploma bill this afternoon. HB0431/SB0433 was filibustered by the Democrats for nearly 2 hours two weeks ago as they fought tooth and nail to keep students with Category IV diplomas from getting jobs as police officers (despite getting their college degrees), or day care workers, auctioneers, hair dressers or pedorthists (among other jobs). I'm thankful to the Governor for not vetoing this and letting the community and the state to move on to more pressing issues.
Rep. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) are to be highly commended for their efforts. Everyone wants qualified employees but to say that merely because the diploma didn't come from a public school they were unfit for the job was a stretch in the extreme. Former DOE employee Cindy Benefield started this mess nearly three years ago and it took a great deal of effort on the part of a lot of people to clean it up. This is a prime example of bureaucratic authority gone completely off the rails. I'm glad things have been set right.
This is a great graduation present for a lot of Tennessee's citizens.
Filed yesterday by Rep. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) is a bill to overturn the arbitrary pronouncement by DOE employee Cindy Benefield that Category IV diplomas (received by many homeschoolers) aren't worth the paper they were printed on. Completely ignoring their acceptance by colleges and universities across the nation as well as military recruiters and technical schools she decided to declare that these diplomas were unsuitable for peace officers and day care workers as she made her rounds across the state and when asked during regular inspection of records. The difference this year is the House Education Committee and House Calendar and Rules Committees lean Republican.
Legislative summary: Schools, Home - As introduced, clarifies that a diploma awarded to a graduate from a home school is acceptable for all purposes of licensure and certification by state and local governmental entities. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
HOUSE BILL 432
By Bell
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49, Chapter 1, relative to recognition of certain educational accomplishments.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by adding a new section thereto, as follows:
Section 1-3-1__. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or other provision of law to the contrary, a high school diploma awarded by any legal form of education in this state shall be considered by all departments, agencies, commissions or other such entities of state and local government as having all the rights and privileges of a high school diploma awarded by a public school system. This section shall not apply to state lottery proceeds as provided in title 49, chapter 4, part 9.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
See TnHomeEd's HB1652-SB1827 page for details of the two year's of hassle and battle to restore sanity to this issue.
Rep. G. A. Hardaway (D-Memphis), he of the HB2795 to test all non-public schoolers with public school tests, and even more outrageously wants to test all newborns for paternity, promised to have this testing bill reheard on 3/19 and also communicate about the changes he said he would make to the bill. Well, it's scheduled for hearing next Wednesday as promised but he's not telling anyone what, if any, changes have been made. He's not returning phone calls or giving one inch in the few personal contacts that have been made.
From: Kay Brooks Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:04 PM To: rep.ga.hardaway@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.leslie.winningham@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.john.windle@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.tommie.brown@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.jim.coley@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.ron.lollar@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.joe.towns@legislature.state.tn.us Subject: Failure to communicate regarding HB2795 Testing for all Importance: High
Rep. Hardaway and fellow legislators,
I’m writing to bring your attention to your failure, Rep. Hardaway, to communicate to citizens regarding HB2795. On February 27, 2008 this bill was heard before the House Special Initiatives sub-committee. At that time more than 100 citizens filled the conference room and halls to protest this burdensome and unnecessary testing legislation. At the end of the discussion about this testing bill Education Chair Les Winningham requested that you, Rep. Hardaway, ensure that you get the language you want in the bill, show that to the Chairman John Mark Windle and the rest of the committee members as well as giving it to various homeschool representatives so we could all have it in advance as well. You, Rep. Hardaway, assured Chairman Winningham that you would be communicating and that these citizens would be kept up to date on the language and communications you have with others regarding this bill. If your memory fails here’s the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxKELkvKiXM
You have failed to keep your word, Rep. Hardaway. I gave you my card that day telling you I would be happy to help you communicate with the Tennessee homeschooling community via the TnHomeEd.com network. I have called your office several times since then and none of my messages have been returned. When I talk with other homeschoolers it’s clear that my experience has been the norm. Your lack of cooperation in this matter is very disappointing and quite unprofessional. Many of us gave you the benefit of the doubt, took you at your word and now find that your word is not trustworthy.
As of 5:00 p.m. today the bill is scheduled to be heard next Wednesday, 3/19/08 and the state’s website shows NO amendments to this bill. Your fellow committee members made it very clear that they did not want a repeat of the deluge of phone calls, emails, faxes and mail that occurred a month ago. We agree that there is important legislative business that should not be derailed by something as unnecessary and fruitless as HB2795 and strongly urge you to withdraw the bill immediately and make that widely known.
TnHomeEd is a network and comprehensive independent clearinghouse of homeschooling information specifically for Tennessee parents and other interested parties.
The mission of TnHomeEd is to provide homeschooling and education information to all parents regardless of why or how they school, who they are, what they believe or their membership status.
The buzz in Tennessee's homeschooling world this morning is a report that originated in Murfreesboro's Daily News Journal which was sub-headed "Parents increasingly opt for homeschooling children" is being picked up and passed on with a different twist by other local media.
WSMV and WKRN focused on the decrease in the number of homeschoolers registered with the LEA and headlined their piece "Statistics show decline in state home-schooling".
I don't believe homeschooling is down at all in Tennessee. What may be down is the number registering with the local education agencies (LEA). I've no doubt that bothers some people.
DNJ reporter Robinson-Blair quoted some statistics from the Tennessee Department of Education
Figures released from the Tennessee Department of Education indicate the state had 5,365 homeschool students in 2004. That number jumped to 6,418 in 2005 but dropped to 4,525 in 2006, according to the state.
There is some background information that is not included in this story and three things really do need to be mentioned for context.
1. During that big jump Dr. Randy Hankins was in charge of the TN DOE office for homeschooling. He communicated with the homeschooling community in a way quite unlike any other in his position ever had. I'm sure some of his peers considered him too pro-homeschooling. He expressed to me several times that public schoolers and homeschoolers were not enemies but should be working together to ensure the education of the children. I believe his attitude and professionalism made homeschoolers feel more welcome and safe in registering with the LEA.
2. The TN DOE has been pushing since just before Dr. Hankins left in the spring to clean up their homeschooling numbers. I don't know why. I do know that recently a report came out from that office suggesting the legislature take another look at the homeschooling regulations. From page 6 of that report's .pdf:
The General Assembly may wish to consider whether more information is needed on home school programs and students, including information on compliance with state laws. The General Assembly may wish to consider whether the Department of Education should have the responsibility to monitor compliance with and ensure enforcement of the home school laws. Additonally, if it determines that more information is needed on the home school program, it should amend state law to give the department authority to collect such information.
Publicily calling for more oversight of homeschoolers will drive them to private entities.
3. At the request of the TN DOE local LEA's have been cleaning up their files and several have been asking for more information than is legally required, Davidson County included. It's difficult enough for homeschoolers to trust the public school system, but throw in the fact that they're already asking for more information than required and it's no surprise if families decide to take a different route.
Yes, it's a frustration for bean counters when they can't track and study us. But as long as we're complying with the law and our children aren't filling up the police blotters or welfare rolls--it's really not any of their business.
Everything I'm hearing and experiencing leads me to believe that homeschooling is still growing in our state. It's becoming more diverse ethnically, religiously, politically and especially growing amongst families with special needs children. Perhaps that growth is a problem for those who make their living in a different education choice--but protectionist tactics isn't the best way to deal with competition.
The state of Tennessee recognizes the inherent value of education and encourages its support. The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools. Article XI, Sec. 12
