The concept of a free public education was established at the inception of this country. Education gives rise to upper levels of economic access. Education affords the benefit of understanding, control and predictability concerning one’s self with one’s world and therefore one’s destiny. Since children are eager to learn and teachers eager to impart knowledge, whatever interferes with this process needs to be minimized. Both teacher and pupil benefit greatly from increased contact. Parents and pupils must attribute confidence in the teacher and grant the teacher flexibility of approach within the guidelines of the curriculum.
The teacher needs parent and administrative support to effectively deal with discipline and creation of a classroom learning atmosphere. The teacher needs minimal forms; the student needs minimal testing. In the same way that the concerned and conscientious parent knows his/her child -- because the parent loves the child -- the teacher knows the child’s abilities because the teacher cares about the child while observing performance. Therefore, “standardized testing” is obviated, unless in the process, the child is having a positive learning experience. Continuous funding is appropriate when such resources guarantee teacher/pupil contact. Pay the teachers more and the administrators less. This keeps the teachers in the classroom.
Home schooling is a right of the family. To home school the offspring is an expression of caring. The socialization process afforded a child in an outside-the-family situation cannot be minimized, yet what the parents can impart to the child cannot be outweighed. The decision of the parents must be respected.
Prayerfully cast your vote
I have heard man’s “logic”: “Follow the money.” “Go for name recognition.” “Don’t vote for the best person; vote for someone who has a ‘chance’to win.”
I, as recently as in the last primary election, fell prey to this thinking. Because my God is kind to me, with His grace, I came to understand the error of my thinking.
2 Chronicles 7:14 back to top
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
