Arliya Martin embraced her high school diploma with a sense of relief and gratitude, viewing it as her ticket to better job opportunities after facing expulsion from high school and dedicating eight years to factory work to support her children.
However, Martin’s diploma wasn’t earned through traditional classes or assessments. In July, she received it from a school offering high school diplomas for a fee of $465, a type of institution that operates outside the state’s approval system.
In Louisiana, nearly 9,000 private schools fall into this category, where they are not required to seek state endorsement to confer degrees. While most of these unapproved schools cater to individual homeschooling families, some have grown to include physical facilities, classrooms, teachers, and numerous students.
Though constituting a small percentage of the overall state education system, these unapproved schools in Louisiana reflect a growing trend nationwide—families disengaging from traditional education amid the ongoing fallout from COVID-19. The pandemic has seen a shift in public school enrollment, with over 1.2 million students leaving public schools in the first two years. Some opted for private schooling, while others claimed homeschooling, resulting in a significant number of students whose educational status remains unaccounted for.
Also read: Video genre ‘Get Ready With Me’ takes internet by storm: What is it?
In Louisiana, the number of students enrolled in unapproved private schools has surged to over 21,000, nearly double the pre-pandemic figure. Despite their prevalence, the state lacks the means to assess the quality or existence of education in these off-the-grid schools.
Supporters argue that avoiding state oversight aligns with the principles of parental rights. However, the lack of regulation raises concerns about safety, quality, and the actual existence of some of these schools. Notably, two unapproved schools have faced abuse scandals, with the state education department claiming limited authority to intervene.
Louisiana’s unapproved private schools emerged in 1980 when legislation deregulated private education, eliminating requirements for a minimum number of students and certified teachers. Although attempts to repeal this law have been made, opposition from Christian homeschool groups has thwarted these efforts.
One such unapproved institution, Springfield Preparatory School, presents itself as an umbrella school for Christian homeschoolers. While most students engage in actual classes or tutoring, the principal, Kitty Sibley Morrison, is willing to grant a diploma based on parents’ claims of prior homeschooling, even without recent academic engagement. Although she denies selling diplomas, the school displays a price list for various services, challenging the notion of providing lifetime services for homeschooling families without financial gain.
The number of students in unapproved private schools has doubled, reaching over 21,000 in the 2022-23 school year. However, information about these schools remains limited, with minimal requirements for establishment and whimsical names like the “Ballerina Jedi Academy” and “Unicorn Princess School.” While many are small, single-family home schools, some reported having at least 50 children enrolled.
In Louisiana, homeschooling families have two options: the state-recognized high school diploma through the official home study program or setting up a private school without state approval. The latter option lacks requirements for proving the child is receiving an education, and these schools don’t even need to submit student names.
Despite potential risks and challenges, families like Arliya Martin’s view unapproved private schools as viable alternatives, allowing them to customize education to suit their needs. Critics argue that the lack of oversight compromises educational quality and safety, with concerns exacerbated by past abuse scandals in unapproved schools.
As this trend continues, the debate surrounding the balance between parental rights and ensuring the quality of education intensifies, raising questions about the long-term impact on students and the broader educational landscape.
