I understand that the Department of Education can waive the baccalaureate requirement for homeschooling high schoolers. What are my chances?
Only twice since 1985 have waivers been granted. We do have a new Commissioner whose opinion has been untested. Write if you need help. The first waiver was granted: “September 13, 1991, a Homeschooling family in Memphis, Hubert & Lois Van Tol, received the first exemption to the B.A. requirement from then Commissioner Charles Smith. The Van Tol family was unique. While neither husband nor wife had a B.A. degree, Hubert was in college working toward a degree and Lois was in her second year of medical school specializing in obstetrics. She had been accepted at UT Medical School without a B.A. degree because UT acknowledged as the equivalent of a B. A. her almost completed college education along with her 10 years experience as a mid-wife.” The second waiver was granted: “January 23, 1996, the Stuart Goggans family of Harrison, TN, (outside Chattanooga) received a letter from Tennessee Dept. of Education (DOE) Commissioner, Jane Walters” [granting the exemption]. “The first year the Gogg
