Michael P. Farris, Esq.
Chairman

HSLDA Case Updates—Part I

Volume 14, Program 23 Airdate: July 28, 1999

Although recognized as legal in all 50 states, home schooling still faces challenges. Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Farris, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, discusses one example.

Mike:
In May 1998, a Tennessee school bus driver made the decision to home school her own children. In accordance with the Tennessee home school law, she went to the director of schools—who happened to be her boss—and requested the necessary forms. The director became angry at the idea of her home schooling and sent her to another office to get the forms.


On June 1st, the bus driver received a letter telling her she had been fired. The letter was dated the day after she informed the director of her intention to home school. It contained no reason for her termination and no provision for a hearing. Both are required under Tennessee law. Later, the director claimed he fired her for personal use of the school bus, a claim unsubstantiated by any written policy and certainly not adhered to by the other bus drivers.


In May 1999, Home School Legal Defense Association filed a civil rights lawsuit on this member’s behalf. We believe that the director’s actions violated the bus driver’s fundamental right to direct the education of her children. Allowing such a blatant discrimination against home schooling would set a dangerous precedent for other forms of religious discrimination. I believe we’ve lost enough freedom in this country. It’s time to start taking back the ground we’ve lost. Please pray that the judge in this case would hand down a favorable decision and further strengthen the fundamental rights of parents and our right to freely exercise our religion. I’m Mike Farris.

We’d like you to have the latest news and resources on home schooling issues. They’re available bimonthly in The Home School Court Report. You can receive a free sample copy by calling area code (540) 338-5600.