South Carolina officials place ‘excessive demands’ on homeschool graduate, obstructing her career in Christian childcare

Hannah Pollock, 21, had her heart set on working in a South Carolina Christian school’s after-school kindergarten program and daytime preschool as a substitute teacher.

“I’d always been around kids,” she said, recalling her years as the seventh of nine children homeschooled in Washington state. “And I enjoyed the freedom and flexibility to help mom around the house.”

However, Pollock encountered difficulties when trying to apply for the SC Endeavors program operated by the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS).

School staffers had asked her to take hours of training through the program, which is part of DSS requirements for childcare workers. But a DSS official emailed Pollock, saying her homeschool high school records didn’t meet their required standards. 

“I was kind of stalled,” Pollock said. 

She reached out to her mother, Susan Pollock, who eventually asked the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) for help. 

“I have a son who’s a nurse, one who’s a banker, and another who does research for a university,” Susan said. “All these years, and we’ve never had an issue like this.” 

HSLDA provides legal services and resources for homeschool families nationwide, including advocacy for homeschool graduates facing discrimination in the workforce. 

‘State seal’ not required 

HSLDA Senior Counsel Will Estrada reached out to SC Endeavors officials on Hannah’s behalf, urging them to stop what the association called their “excessive demands” over her high school records. 

While homeschool families in Washington must file a declaration of intent every year with local public school superintendents, no other records are required, Estrada explained. 

However, a DSS official had emailed Pollock to request a high school diploma marked with a “state seal,” saying the Washington State Board of Education required school districts to keep student transcripts for 100 years. 

Since this requirement did not apply to homeschool students, Hannah’s high school records were in full compliance with Washington’s law, Estrada said. 

After Estrada’s intervention, SC Endeavors officials told Hannah she had been approved to register for the program – allowing her to access its registry and professional advancement program. 

“I now have a professional profile on SC Endeavors,” she said. “The way I approach life is that, wherever you are, be all there. My work has been blessed.”