Legal / Legislative Updates

IOWA

Employer Questions Homeschool Diploma

Homeschool graduate Jacob Harden was thrilled to get a job with Iowa Telecom, but he became somewhat concerned when a human resources staff member asked him to verify the authenticity of the high school diploma his parents gave him. He was told that the company routinely does background checks on all employees to verify their education. Although his parents offered an explanation, it did not resolve the issue.

It sounded like Jacob’s job might be on the line, so his parents asked Home School Legal Defense Association for help.

Courtesy of the family DIPLOMA DEBATE RESOLVED: Jacob Harden landed the job he wanted by encouraging his employer to recognize the legitimacy of his homeschool diploma.

HSLDA Staff Attorney Scott Woodruff quickly sent a letter to the Iowa Telecom human resources department. He identified the Hardens as HSLDA members in good standing. He explained that Iowa parents—and those in the other 49 states—have legal authority to issue high school diplomas when their students complete their program of secondary education. No “accreditation” or state “approval” is required.

When you boil it down, a diploma is simply a written document certifying that a person has completed a given program, signed by someone in a position to know. Typically, parents serve as a homeschooled student’s teachers and guidance counselors, placing them in the best position to know that the student has completed his program; therefore, parents can best legitimately issue a homeschool diploma. Woodruff suggested that Jacob’s parents would be happy to supply a transcript to substantiate his diploma, if necessary.

After receiving Woodruff’s letter, the human resources department spoke with Jacob and told him the situation was resolved-they would need no other paperwork.

It is no wonder Iowa Telecom wanted Jacob. He had earned nearly straight As in his homeschool program, served as a page for the Iowa House of Representatives, and had a 3.7 GPA after two semesters at his local community college. The most common employment-related issue that HSLDA members encounter is an employer who really wants to hire a homeschool grad but is unsure of how to evaluate a homeschool diploma. All that’s usually needed is for HSLDA to verify for the employer that a homeschool diploma presents no legal impediment to the hiring process. And it’s the performance of homeschool grads already in the workforce that makes employers want to hire more.

Congratulations to the homeschool graduates (and their parents, of course!) already in the working world whose excellent record of diligence, honesty, and reliability has paved the way for future grads.

— by Scott A. Woodruff