Thursday, May 12, 2011
Discrimination 101
Ok, so let me get this straight: we have paid for 100% of our sons' education over the last twelve years. We have not accepted one penny from anybody (not that anybody has offered) to pay for all of our books, supplies and software. The states of Louisiana and Georgia have collectively saved well over $200,000 over these twelve years of our home education. Now that we have a college ready student, he is not eligible for any state sponsored scholarship funds until he has completed 30 college credit hours. Basically, the states and the teachers' unions want to discredit home schoolers any way they can and make it as challenging as possible for our students to obtain funds that are readily available to public schooled students. I wish I could see the logic in this, however, I only feel violated and discriminated against. Where's the ACLU on this subject? Why it perfectly acceptable to discriminate against a block of society that outscored and outperformed all other blocks of educated children? Home schoolers out score public school kids in almost every subject. Whatever. Like always, we will man-up, play by the rules and HOPE scholarship funds will be available for us in a couple of years.
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6 comments:
Have you looked into CollegePlus or HSLDA for direction on this? What about dual enrollment? Up until two years ago (but not in time for Casee), the most colleges in the state of Georgia would not award credits for homeschoolers as they did for the public schooled dual enrollees. With the help of GHEA.org, this has changed at the discretion of each college. Chattanooga State is very homeschooler friendly and they may be able to offer some ideas. They are always at the convention @ Camp Jordan. Hope that helps, but I understand your frustration. We'll be there too in a few years.
Chatt state is not a four year school. Dalton state is affordable and has the degree program chris is looking at earning, plus it is just over the ridge. Utc is three times the cost of Dalton state. Dual enrollment does not qualify you for any funds - none. We will just have to pay for chris's college until he hits thirty credits. Whatever.
But could he not start out at a two year school and take care of the basic credit requirements and then transfer those to a four year school later in the game? Several of the homeschoolers in Florida obtained their AA degrees at the same time they graduated from high school due to dual enrollment and CLEP. College credits are college credits in the eyes of Georgia HOPE funds. If they are on the transcript and the school is accredited, it shouldn't be an issue when or HOW they were earned. At least that's the way it's worked for everyone else I know.
I agree, Elizabeth. Doing things the right way and out-performing others only makes them hate homeschooling more. So, like you, I say "whatever". I'd rather live right and be discriminated against than disobey God and receive a benefit. It is still very frustrating, and wrong, but that is between THEM and God.
I used to have a poster that said "When you fail to see the logic in something, look for the financial aspect." It appears the teacher's unions/lobbyists have won the battle to protect their jobs by making sure only their students get the assistance. I do think that homeschooled students are eligible for TOPS in Louisiana, but I'm not sure about that.
Joe -yes, you are correct about your statement on people protecting their jobs. Home school students are eligible for scholarships in GA, but the stipulations are unfair. I think it is time for home educated students to have a level playing field. We have proved time and time again that we are achievers. This is not a new phenomenon, but a 25+ year movement. Remove the barriers and give us equal treatment.
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