(Is it Time to Leave?)
God’s word says that we are “to train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” This is proverbial wisdom—not a covenant promise. That said, it all comes down to who is teaching and what is being taught.
Before I begin this essay, let me say that I have good friends in several states who are public school teachers. These believers see this as their ministry and calling. The work they do is difficult AND OF ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE. I have the utmost respect and regard for all educators. Theirs is a difficult job that is only becoming more difficult.
That said, let me say that much if not most of academia has transitioned from being an agent and means of education to being a means of indoctrination. Specifically, I’m referring to public schools, K-12. If you don’t think so, go online; pick a search engine of your choice, and search for articles on the topic. I’ve done some of the work for you here and here. Now, cross reference these articles all you like. There are tons. This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Even the sciences are tainted. It didn’t use to be that way. Hard, objective science is gradually being replaced by ideology. Put your hand on your wallet when someone tells you the science is settled about matters of gender as a social construct or sex in terms of a spectrum. Solid scientists who differ based on the facts are leaving the academy. If you don’t believe me, look here and here. Not even the arts are untouched. Look here and here. The last article is university curriculum teaching “teachers” how to weave critical theory into music classes for 6th graders. All of this is inherently anti-Christian and anti-biblical.
This begs the questions, “What now, what next?” What’s a parent to do? Protect your student! Some argue it’s time for a “schexit.” Not to be cute, it’s time to consider alternative means of educating your students. No matter how dedicated and or well-intended the teachers are: they will be forced to “teach the curriculum” or lose their job. Many are choosing to retire.
What are your alternatives? Well, some have been forced to “homeschool” via the government schools because of COVID. Providentially, there is some protection in this—for now. Some will choose pre-COVID home education as an option. Homeschooling is not for everyone. My wife and I homeschooled one child from K through 12th grade. We homeschooled up to 10th grade and then put her in a 5,000 student public school—where she did well. Ours was a disciplined education and discipleship process. My observations about the homeschool environment is there are at least 4 kinds of homeschoolers, not to over generalize.
There’s the non-conformist who marches to his or her own drum. Often their children are always half a year to a year behind. The parent is passive and undisciplined (and so is the child). They are a poster-child for the anti-homeschool movement. Often their children are social awkward. Truthfully, this is a small fraction of the ‘movement.’
There’s the elite athlete-musician family (or some other field of endeavor) and the flexibility offered here allows their child to excel unfettered by nonsensical “equality of outcome” ideologically charged educational philosophies. These are both secular families and religious families.
There are religious homeschoolers who wish to instill a Christian worldview and seek to inculcate this worldview before the “world” can socialize their children. They understand the early years are formative and that their time with their children is short and they wish to prepare them to see the world through the lens of a biblical worldview.
There are also special needs families who homeschool for a variety of reasons ranging from health to behavioral. These, too, tend to be religious and secular.
Naturally, there are all kinds of variants and hybrids of the models I listed above. Suffice it to say I reject the mythology that homeschooling a son or daughter some how hinders their socialization. It no more hinders them than it does having a son or daughter in a public school or a private school. Each has its own ecosystem with its strengths and weakness—real or imagined based upon one’s perspective or bias.
Let’s not forget charter schools. Based on your geography and context (and applied abilities) it is possible to minimize the indoctrination by going the charter school route. However, teachers’ unions and governments are increasingly seeking to limit charter schools. Nonetheless, they remain a workable alternative.
Finally, let’s talk about private school education. These usually present themselves in three varieties: parochial (think Catholic and or Lutheran schools), Christian (protestant) private schools, and other private schools—many designed to give a leg up into an elite (Ivy League) education.
We have several outstanding private schools in our area. Indeed, the one of the largest (if not the largest) Christian schools in the country is here in San Jose, as are many fine other Christian Schools (as we will see in a moment). Private schools like anything else present their own challenges (and worldviews). As in the case of higher Christian Education, buyer beware. Listen to chapel services, look for statements of beliefs; ask tough questions. One pricey secular private school in New York had an indoctrination program on critical theory that would make most colleges in California jealous.
This begs another question: “What if I can’t afford a private Christian school?” To this I offer two responses. First, almost all offer scholarships of some kind. Also, the Christian community in one form or another provides believers ways to receive discounts. You can find an example of this in the San Francisco Bay Area (and Silicon Valley) for discounts of up to 50% off tuition right here.
Consider your options wisely. Eternities may be at stake.
Before I close this essay, let me say (again) that I have good friends in several states who are public school teachers. These believers see this as their ministry and calling. The work they do is difficult AND OF ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE. I have the utmost respect and regard for all educators. But educators will tell you that their tenures are increasingly at risk. Unions, policies, and the culture are zeroing in on many. Some will retire mostly unscathed. Many will not. Pray for them (and all teachers, everywhere).
In the meantime, understand the pressures any student faces in a public school—government school setting. Pressures to conform come to bear on them from teachers, the environment itself, and peers—6 hours a day and 5 days a week. Extra-curricular events and activities reinforce this pressure. It’s becoming a full court press from kindergarten through 12th grade. No one has more access to your children than teachers and students—except maybe, maybe, you. And many times students share very little about what they are thinking or facing at those difficult ages. You only find out later… I’m reminded that 75% of students who graduate high school do not return to church after college—nor do they attend church. Admittedly, some things are beyond a parent’s control. Many things are not. Think about it!
In the meantime, what can you as a parent (or grandparent) do? Engage your children. Ask them daily what they are learning… how they are doing. Dig… persist… invest. Listen! Don’t fall into the ‘quality time’ trap. Without quantity time there is no quality time. Spend time with your children. Protect, guide, and shepherd their hearts and minds. Bring them to church (and youth group). Ask questions. Answer questions. If you don’t know an answer explain you’ll try and find out. Listen to them.
And if you want to take them out of public school. Do it. You are the parent. If you don’t think you can afford it. Cut your household expenses. Explore your options. Look for grants and scholarships. You’ll be glad you did (and ultimately—so will they).
Last and not least, our September 23rd podcast (this coming Wednesday-podcast 005) will discuss this topic more fully. You can find it here on Apple Podcasts and here on our Podcast site. In the meantime, strongly consider organizing other parents (like-minded parents) to resist this indoctrination. (Respectfully) confront teachers, principals, school boards. There’s so much at stake.