NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A proposal to give home school diplomas the same weight as those given by public schools has been signed into law by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The law requires all state and local governmental entities to recognize diplomas issued by home schools and church-related schools as having the same rights and privileges of diplomas issued by public school systems.

The law exempts home-schooled students from having to obtain an accredited diploma from local school directors or take the General Educational Development test.

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