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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/8/2004 10:03:01 AM Home School Legal Defense Association New Jersey--Homeschool Graduate's License in the Balance |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== March 8, 2004 New Jersey--Homeschool Graduate's License in the Balance Dear HSLDA members and friends: The New Jersey Cosmetology Board could be poised to refuse to allow homeschool graduate Laura Byrne to take the cosmetology examination that is necessary for a license. The Board may make its final decision tomorrow. Many statements from the Board's executive director, Richard Griswold, suggest the Board may claim Laura has not "successfully completed high school or the equivalent," which is required for licensure. Her parents, however, have provided the Board with a copy of Laura's diploma and her high school transcript. Laura needs our help. Action Requested: Please call all the members of the Board at (973) 504- 6400. Please be courteous. Your message may be as simple as: "Laura Byrne has successfully completed high school in a homeschool setting. Homeschooling is the legal equivalent of public or private school. Hundreds of colleges and professions have accepted homeschool graduates without requiring a GED. A GED tells the world that you did not finish high school. There is no just reason to deny Laura her right to take the cosmetology exam." The Board members are: Ms. Kathleen M. Alexander, Ms. Patricia Graffin, Mrs. Frances Gray, Mr. Peter Macri, Mr. Carlo Melini, Mrs. Rose Policastro, Mr. Joseph Santagata, Mr. Ronald J. Brown, Ms. Elaine C. Haroldson, and Ms. Lynn Rasiewicz The Board meeting is open to the public. You may wish to attend the meeting to support Laura, especially if you live nearby. The meeting will be in the Hudson Room, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, at 9:30 AM Background: New Jersey law requires "successful completion of high school or its equivalent" in order to be licensed as a cosmetologist. The law does not require that the high school be accredited nor does it specifically require that a diploma be issued. Laura has submitted a complete high school transcript showing that she has successfully completed high school. New Jersey law requires a child to attend public school or private school or "receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school." By saying this, New Jersey law is allowing for the completion of a high school program outside public and private school. "Equivalent instruction" in the compulsory attendance statute means the same thing as "equivalent" in the cosmetology law. The dentistry and chiropractor boards accept a homeschool diploma as evidence of successful completion of high school. It defies logic for the cosmetology board to reject Laura when her diploma would satisfy the requirement to be a dentist or chiropractor. Homeschool students have been admitted to the most prestigious colleges in the country based on their diplomas. Homeschool students qualify for federal financial aid in college based on their diplomas. The Board has previously said they will allow Laura to take the cosmetology test if she obtains her GED. A GED tells the world that you did not finish high school. Laura should not be forced to take the GED. Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Sincerely, Scott A. Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney {{JoinAd}} ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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