When the State Says Your Homeschool Doesn’t Count
By Rep. Heather Scott
Idaho is supposed to be a place that values freedom, faith, and family, but one young woman’s story shows how state bureaucracy can stand in the way of all three.
A young woman named Heather Jones, who was homeschooled all through high school by her parents for religious reasons, was told she could not get a real estate license. Not because she failed any test or didn’t meet requirements, but because her high school diploma came from home instead of a government-approved school.
Heather’s homeschool education followed Idaho law. Her parents gave her a diploma and transcript after years of study. She went on to start businesses, own property, and even train in health care. But when she applied for her Idaho real estate license, the state refused to accept her homeschool diploma and demanded one from an “accredited” school.
She asked for special consideration, but the Idaho Real Estate Commission denied her request. Now, with help from the Pacific Justice Institute, Heather is suing the State of Idaho for violating her First Amendment right to freely practice her religion.
You can read her case here:
This case matters because Idaho law clearly allows homeschooling, and many parents choose it for faith-based reasons. Denying homeschool graduates access to professional careers sends a message that their education and their faith doesn’t count.
At stake is more than one woman’s dream of a real-estate career. It’s about whether religious families are treated equally under the law, and whether state agencies can block opportunity for those who choose a different but legal path to education.
Idaho should stand for freedom, faith, and fairness, not discrimination against homeschoolers.
I hope Heather wins her lawsuit against these out of control bureaucrats and am happy she is taking a stand to help future home school students to be able to pursue their business ventures!
I hope this article encourages you to stand up against overreaching government. Remember, ALL power is in the people and when we exercise that power, we can control an out-of-control government.
This is an outrageous case that exemplifies the evil hatred and contempt against God fearing Americans and I pray for victory in her lawsuit against these scoundrels and that she would prevail.
I too home schooled my son all the way through high school and am glad I did it. He like me is a patriotic American who stands for traditional American values.
When I applied for my real estate license I could not find my high school diploma. I submitted my university diploma as a substitute and was rejected as the law said high school diplomas were the only acceptable document for approval. So this no doubt, is one of the few examples where a high school diploma trumps a university diploma. Go figure?