Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) said he will appoint a home school advocate to the Tennessee State Board of Education if elected governor.
Over 60,000 students are schooled at home in Tennessee, but they have never had representation on the State Board of Education, he noted.
"A growing number of Tennessee parents are choosing to home school their children and it is time they had representation on the State Board of Education," said Lt. Governor Ramsey. "The decision to home school gives parents control in how their children are educated. As a rule, home schooled Tennesseans are well-educated and important members of their communities - it's time the state recognizes and honors that positive contribution.
"Parental choice and innovation are the keys to improving education in our state.
"A successful education infrastructure should have thriving public and private schools, charter schools, church-related schools and home schooled students. Every child is unique and should have the opportunity to find the best educational fit for their learning style."
Lt. Gov. Ramsey said as governor his mission for the State Board of Education would be to improve educational outcomes for Tennesseans across the board and not just to represent any one school type. "The state's obligation is to children and not to bureaucracies, the education establishment, or to interest groups. I will focus my education reform efforts on innovations that are measured in better outcomes for students."