My friend was home-schooled and now her mom wont give her her high school diploma, what can she do about it?

Question

So my friend lives in Illinois and she was home schooled by her mother for most of high school. She's fallen out with her parents and they're throwing her out and wont give her her high school diploma is there any way she can get it or force her mom to give it to her?

Thanks

Answer 1

Was she enrolled in an accredited program?

If not, then she hasn't earned a "traditional" diploma.

As for the suggestions to contact the public school district:

She didn't attend public school, so there is no reason to contact the public school district.

Answer 2

If you are doing traditional homeschooling then chances are you will not receive a diploma or transcripts in the sense that most people think of them. The important thing is NOT the diploma. The transcripts are the ONLY really important thing. The transcripts are really the only thing the colleges and possibly employers want to look at.

She should seek legal aid for advise in her area

Answer 3

she earned the diploma, not her mother.  she can contact the local school district - they oversaw her home-schooling - and ask for a duplicate.  is she over 18?  if not, they're still responsible for her.

Answer 4

LindaPam has some good information for you. It's sad that her mom is using this to manipulate her. Encourage your friend to make peace with her mom unless her mom is dangerous or destructive.

Best of Luck to You!

jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com

Answer 5

She could take the GED.  That is equivalent.

I don't know whether she could get it from her mom.  She could call her local school district and ask them.

Answer 6

Depends on what she needs it for.  If she wants to go to college, she doesn't really need either GED nor diploma.  If she's taken the ACT and gotten a good score, if she can fill out a good application, she can get in.

I'm betting that the local school district had nothing to do with her homeschooling, so they have nothing to do with her diploma either.  If mom won't give it, there's not much she can do about it.

If she needs it for a job, she should go take her GED, and tell whoever interviews her for the job that she didn't drop out, she was homeschooled, and chose that as her "exit document."

Answer 7

Another anti home school troll, you guys are so funny.

Answer 8

Did she actually complete all of the studies her parents required of her for earning the diploma?  If not, then she hasn't graduated homeschool and therefore hasn't earned it.

If she did complete the course of study, then her mom is wrong for withholding the diploma, however, the girl can still get a GED, or even apply to college without one if she had strong SAT or ACT scores.