Is Public School An Option?
Probably all of us have days when the yellow bus rolls by and we think, “My taxes pay for it already; I could just put these misbehaving progeny of mine out by the curb and let some other adult deal with them!” Well, not really; nobody calls their kids “progeny.” But it’s no surprise if sometimes we ask ourselves, should I reconsider my decision to keep my children out of the public education system?
When we were first beginning homeschooling, our pastor and his wife were already veteran home educators. However, one of the elders in the church had two teen-aged daughters enrolled in the local high school, and from all appearances, they seemed to be turning out fine–respectful, modest, Christ-honoring young ladies.
Then we noticed something unusual–the girls’ parents were constantly involved with their schooling. Mom worked as a volunteer and spent most days at the school helping the teachers and other staff members. Dad was self-employed and often came to functions during the school day. And every night after supper, they would sit down with their daughters, review the day’s lessons, and correct any unbiblical teaching they’d received.
In other words, they were spending just as many hours each day overseeing their daughters’ public education, as we eventually spent teaching our own children at home.
The Bible doesn’t say much about “school,” but it says a great deal about discipleship, character, and relationships. We know that “everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40, ESV), and “the companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20), and while “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” (Proverbs 1:7), but “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” (Psalm 14:1). And in a school environment, parents have little control over their children’s’ companions, their assigned teachers, or the philosophies and subject matters they are being taught. In a public school, which is officially agnostic if not hostile toward Biblical truth, the situation can become critical for a young believer.
We recognize that many families may not be able to teach their children at home, and they need the support and encouragement of their friends and churches to raise their children to love and serve God regardless of where the kids are being taught during the day. But for those of us who have the liberty to do so, we believe a home education is the best way to raise the young disciples God has given to our care and we thank God for the twenty years of grace He’s given us to teach our own!
Yours in the Battle,
Hal and Melanie
P.S. If you’re discipling a boy and wonder how in the world you’ll ever get through to him, you might enjoy one of our two webinar series: “Boyhood Boot Camp” is a crash course in understanding your son, and it starts on Thursday July 17. For parents with pre-teens, you’ll love “Boot Camp 9-12.” it started this Tuesday, but you can download the recordings and join us live next Tuesday. See our webpages www.RaisingRealMen.com/boyhood/ and www.RaisingRealMen.com/bootcamp/ for more information!
