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Company Rejects Home-School Grad, Sparking Debate

CBN

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A Fortune 500 company is facing accusations of discrimination after rejecting a home-school graduate who applied to work for them.
 
The Home School Legal Defense Association argues that an energy distribution group called NiSource is being "unreasonable" for refusing to hire home-schoolers for its operations in Ohio.
 
NiSource Communications manager Mike Banas told CBN News the company is following Ohio's rules.
 
"Some of the states in which we operate have different rules regarding certification of home-school and non-traditional forms of study, which is why we require a GED," Banas said.
 
HSLDA states that a highly qualified former home-schooler was offered a job at an Ohio branch of the Indiana-based NiSource. But the job offer was reportedly revoked when the company found out he had a home-school diploma.
 
"To rescind an offer of employment to an otherwise qualified and experienced applicant who received a legally recognized education is unreasonable and discriminatory," stated Mike Donnelly, staff attorney for HSLDA.
 
However, Banas says NiSource is not opposed to hiring home-schoolers.
 
"We have successfully hired home-schooled candidates and will continue to do so," he said.  "We are proud to have colleagues and co-workers who were home schooled or received other non-traditional educations."
 
But Donnelly says NiSource is misinterpreting Ohio law when it comes to home-schoolers in that state.
 
"NiSource is wrongly using Ohio law as an excuse to defend its discriminatory hiring policy. There is simply no legal impediment to NiSource hiring a homeschool graduate," he said.
 
Donnelly also argues the individual in question was a very good candidate for the job.
 
"In addition to graduating from home-school in compliance with Ohio law, this applicant had years of relevant job experience and several key industry certifications," Donnelly wrote. "During his last two years of high school the applicant took seven courses at a recognized state college and made the dean's list."
 
HSLDA is concerned that this case could be a sign of things to come, especially because of the new Common Core standards which home-schoolers may not choose to follow.   
 
"This situation reflects the precise concern that motivates HSLDA's opposition to the Common Core and its 'college- and career-ready' standards -- that qualified home-school graduates who don't have a state-issued credential will be discriminated against in employment decisions," said Donnelly.

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