From the Dept of Education website: http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/choice/schools/onpefacts.html
Parents have a fundamental right to guide the upbringing of their children, and government has an obligation to respect that right. The nonpublic school community in the United States provides parents with important options for the education of their children. Faith-based and nonsectarian private schools, along with a growing number of children who are homeschooled, account for approximately 13 percent of the school-age population in grades K-12.
The first schools in the U.S. were private schools and currently account for about 24 percent of all elementary and secondary schools, 11 percent of all students and 12 percent of all full-time teachers. Seventy-six percent of private schools have a religious affiliation, while the remaining 24 percent are nonsectarian.1 A defining characteristic of private schools is choice as families may freely choose private education and private schools generally have the freedom to choose which students to enroll. Private schools vary widely, though their governance structures and enrollment choices are similar features that all private schools share.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Is There a Problem?
Is There a Problem?
Most people agree that public schools are a bundle of problems. Even public school proponents agree and use those problems to support their own agendas.
Besides the on-going complaints about poor academic performance, grade inflation, and low expectations, there is also serious concern over such in-school issues as:
violence
physical and emotional bullying
cheating and lying
wide-spread immorality
drugs and alcohol
worldview conflicts
Of course, these problems are really symptoms of something deeper, but what is it? The unions claim it’s a lack of funding. Schools often claim it’s a lack of parental involvement. Parents feel unrepresented and sidelined. Social reformers blame poverty. Others point to poor teacher training, not enough (or too much) testing, lack of accountability, even societal factors such as television and music.
We might find these claims more credible if it weren’t for the fact that so many private schools and home schools seem to avoid the problems of public schools, and they do it with less funding, often low incomes, less teacher training, and little to no accountability to the state.
What’s the Difference?
This is important, because it will lead us to the real cause of our public school problems.
The difference is that public schools are controlled by the government and subject to all the ills of government bureaucracy and power. Private and home schools are run, in varying ways, by parents.
Private schools are dependent upon the satisfaction of parents in order to remain in business. They do not control the children in their care. Instead, families retain their authority and “hire” the schools for certain aspects of raising their children.
Government schools never sought the permission of parents to educate children. Instead, they used force to secure their audience. As is only natural, the arrogance of the state and its contempt for parents has grown with the years. So also has its power over society.
Parents give up their rights when their children cross the threshold of the public school door. This was recently made crystal clear by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
When a few parents in Palmdale, California learned that their children’s school had permitted researchers to interview first, third and fifth grade students about such things as sexual urges and fantasies, they became outraged and took the matter to court.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case and concluded that when parents place their children in a public school, they forfeit any right to determine what or how their children are taught. The school may teach anything it wishes in any way it wishes. It may allow researchers, special interests, social activists, and anyone else it chooses access to students. The court’s decision confirmed earlier court opinions.
Our society has become a slave to the state by virtue of government-controlled schools. Children suffer, parents feel helpless, and scores of good educators feel trapped in a system that never should have existed in the first place.
Most people agree that public schools are a bundle of problems. Even public school proponents agree and use those problems to support their own agendas.
Besides the on-going complaints about poor academic performance, grade inflation, and low expectations, there is also serious concern over such in-school issues as:
violence
physical and emotional bullying
cheating and lying
wide-spread immorality
drugs and alcohol
worldview conflicts
Of course, these problems are really symptoms of something deeper, but what is it? The unions claim it’s a lack of funding. Schools often claim it’s a lack of parental involvement. Parents feel unrepresented and sidelined. Social reformers blame poverty. Others point to poor teacher training, not enough (or too much) testing, lack of accountability, even societal factors such as television and music.
We might find these claims more credible if it weren’t for the fact that so many private schools and home schools seem to avoid the problems of public schools, and they do it with less funding, often low incomes, less teacher training, and little to no accountability to the state.
What’s the Difference?
This is important, because it will lead us to the real cause of our public school problems.
The difference is that public schools are controlled by the government and subject to all the ills of government bureaucracy and power. Private and home schools are run, in varying ways, by parents.
Private schools are dependent upon the satisfaction of parents in order to remain in business. They do not control the children in their care. Instead, families retain their authority and “hire” the schools for certain aspects of raising their children.
Government schools never sought the permission of parents to educate children. Instead, they used force to secure their audience. As is only natural, the arrogance of the state and its contempt for parents has grown with the years. So also has its power over society.
Parents give up their rights when their children cross the threshold of the public school door. This was recently made crystal clear by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
When a few parents in Palmdale, California learned that their children’s school had permitted researchers to interview first, third and fifth grade students about such things as sexual urges and fantasies, they became outraged and took the matter to court.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case and concluded that when parents place their children in a public school, they forfeit any right to determine what or how their children are taught. The school may teach anything it wishes in any way it wishes. It may allow researchers, special interests, social activists, and anyone else it chooses access to students. The court’s decision confirmed earlier court opinions.
Our society has become a slave to the state by virtue of government-controlled schools. Children suffer, parents feel helpless, and scores of good educators feel trapped in a system that never should have existed in the first place.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Consider This
1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.
2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.
3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.
4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.
5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.
6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.
7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.
This comes from a website that i found called www.discoverchristianschools.com
2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.
3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.
4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.
5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.
6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.
7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.
This comes from a website that i found called www.discoverchristianschools.com
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Davidson Town Day
We had another great event this morning. This time in the town of Davidson. Thousands of people showed up to participate in a 5k race and stick around afterwards to wander through various vendor displays.
Liberty Prep was once again a real hit. Carmen, T, Dana, Amie, and Dana's mother Sue from Indiana were there sporting their Liberty Prep gear and passing out information.
Again, we are hearing that people are just learning about the school and LOVE IT! What we are hearing most is that they are impressed by the low cost, the University Model (www.naums.com) , and how organized and professional everything is.
Amie estimates that about 20 families from today's event will want to look further.
Thanks to those who helped out and who came by to show support.
Liberty Prep was once again a real hit. Carmen, T, Dana, Amie, and Dana's mother Sue from Indiana were there sporting their Liberty Prep gear and passing out information.
Again, we are hearing that people are just learning about the school and LOVE IT! What we are hearing most is that they are impressed by the low cost, the University Model (www.naums.com) , and how organized and professional everything is.
Amie estimates that about 20 families from today's event will want to look further.
Thanks to those who helped out and who came by to show support.
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