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Some High School Diplomas May Be Invalid
Some Workers Lose Jobs Over Controversy
POSTED: 8:00 am CDT May 6,
2008
UPDATED: 8:45 am CDT May 6,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some state departments are questioning the validity of a high school diploma called a category 4 diploma, and some people are losing their jobs over the controversy.
Video: Could Some Diplomas Be Invalid?"Home schooling has been recognized in the state of Tennessee since 1985 and our diplomas have been recognized in state institutions and for employment," said Michelle Fraley, who home-schools her children.On Monday, lawmakers told the House Education Committee that some state departments have stopped recognizing these types of diplomas."Category 4 diplomas not only come from small independent church schools, but also home schools," said Rep. Mike Bell, a Republican from District 23.Bell said over the past couple of months an east Tennessee police officer was told he had to get his GED to keep his job, and four day care workers from across the state have lost their jobs over the issue."There was a girl from Jackson, Tenn., whose own grandmother had to fire her. Her grandmother owned the day care center, but the state Department of Human Services would not let her work there because she had a category 4 diploma," said Bell.Some parents want lawmakers to put it on the books that these diplomas are valid and will always be recognized by the state."We don't use state-approved nor have state-certified teachers. I don't have to have a teaching certificate after 25 years of home education. It's been proven that parents can educate their children pretty well," said Fraley.Most people who are home-schooled or go to a church-affiliated school are not required to take state exit exams like the TCAP or Gateway.Because of this, some lawmakers feel that it's not fair to other students who have been through traditional school curriculum and don't pass those tests. The home-schooled students are only given a certificate of completion and not a diploma.The House Education Committee voted to recognize category four diplomas, but there is still a long way to go in the legislative process, with both the House and the state Senate yet to vote on the issue.
Video: Could Some Diplomas Be Invalid?"Home schooling has been recognized in the state of Tennessee since 1985 and our diplomas have been recognized in state institutions and for employment," said Michelle Fraley, who home-schools her children.On Monday, lawmakers told the House Education Committee that some state departments have stopped recognizing these types of diplomas."Category 4 diplomas not only come from small independent church schools, but also home schools," said Rep. Mike Bell, a Republican from District 23.Bell said over the past couple of months an east Tennessee police officer was told he had to get his GED to keep his job, and four day care workers from across the state have lost their jobs over the issue."There was a girl from Jackson, Tenn., whose own grandmother had to fire her. Her grandmother owned the day care center, but the state Department of Human Services would not let her work there because she had a category 4 diploma," said Bell.Some parents want lawmakers to put it on the books that these diplomas are valid and will always be recognized by the state."We don't use state-approved nor have state-certified teachers. I don't have to have a teaching certificate after 25 years of home education. It's been proven that parents can educate their children pretty well," said Fraley.Most people who are home-schooled or go to a church-affiliated school are not required to take state exit exams like the TCAP or Gateway.Because of this, some lawmakers feel that it's not fair to other students who have been through traditional school curriculum and don't pass those tests. The home-schooled students are only given a certificate of completion and not a diploma.The House Education Committee voted to recognize category four diplomas, but there is still a long way to go in the legislative process, with both the House and the state Senate yet to vote on the issue.Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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