RESOLUTION NO. RS2004-175

A resolution requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to support and enact legislation to allow home school graduates to obtain Tennessee HOPE scholarships on the same basis as graduates of eligible high schools.

WHEREAS, in 2003, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted a Tennessee HOPE Scholarship program whereby eligible students can receive scholarships to attend college funded by State Lottery revenues; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated §49-4-907 provides that in order for a student who graduates from an eligible high school to be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, the student must either have a 3.0 grade point average or attain a composite ACT score of at least 19; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated §49-4-908 provides that a student who completes high school in a Tennessee home school program must attain a composite ACT score of 23 in order to be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship; and

WHEREAS, it is inequitable and discriminatory for students completing high school in a Tennessee home school program to have to meet more stringent requirements to be eligible for a HOPE scholarship than students graduating from eligible high schools; and

WHEREAS, legislation has been filed during the 2004 legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly to allow home school graduates to obtain Tennessee HOPE scholarships on the same basis as students graduating from eligible high schools; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County that the Tennessee General Assembly amend the statutes regarding the eligibility requirements for Tennessee HOPE scholarships to allow home school graduates to obtain scholarships on the same basis as graduates of eligible high schools.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Davidson County delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to support and enact legislation to allow home school graduates to obtain Tennessee HOPE scholarships on the same basis as graduates of eligible high schools.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Eric Crafton, Chris Whitson