Separation of School and State

I have, in times past, sat in various school meetings. Parents often try to make some points to a bunch of administrators that just "know better" or tell them how it has to be because the "state" or "federal" government requires it. I've also had some one-on-one meetings with some of the administrators. I haven't been to a school board meeting in a long time. The word I get from others in my family is that the process is now more heavily influenced by government lawyers who get in the way of common sense discussion and decisions. I'm sure there are many "community minded" people in the business of public education. Several close relatives immediately come to mind! However, I think they'd do a whole lot better if the schools were privately controlled rather than government controlled.

 

We don't! We express our ideas about things we believe should be changed for the better.

 

I agree, and that's typically what happens. ACSI and WASC are the two accrediting agencies that local schools most often use for accreditation. BTW, private schools can also use the same accreditors that the secular schools (public and private) use, such as WASC. </font>[/QUOTE]That's a very good point! However, as I understand it, local school districts must still meet certain state and federal requirements to obtain funding. The government controls the curricula and decides what can and what can not be taught.

 

Smarter, no. Do they tend to be better educated? Yes.</font>[/QUOTE]The most important factor is certain moral values or ethics.

Those who see themselves as legitimately entitled to the wealth of others will not emphasize that their children prepare to provide for themselves. </font>[/QUOTE]Exactly! Some people truly believe they're "entitled" to the wealth of others so long as that wealth is greater but not lessor than their own.

 

I agree, and that's typically what happens. </font>[/QUOTE]In a free society, parents and individuals are responsible for education. Those who chose poorly will be an immediate deterent to others. Those who choose well will be emulated. </font>[/QUOTE]Now you're getting to real heart of the matter. Parents - not the government - are responsible for teaching their young children. When parents don't have tight control or choices over the source of their children's education their authority has been usurped by others. That's exactly what government schools do and it's not limited to the simple issue of evolution verses creation but includes the full range of beliefs. Government schools are increasing their sphere of influence over the beliefs of their students many of which are in direct conflict with those of the parents.

 

Reading some of the early public school charters answers this question. Some specifically cited universal ability to read the Bible as a reason.

As with the Great Society, liberals saw something that was good but imperfect and decided that government involvement would complete the picture. And just as the Great Society has made many of the problems it set out to solve worse, the public school system cannot be proven to be a better option than what we would have had if all schools had remained private... which practically all were when de Toqueville toured America in the 1830's and was amazed by the level of literacy.

I think it was Jefferson that rightly feared that an education system controlled by politicians would seek to indoctrinate children and society into bondage.

The fact that few if any here knew that separation of state and school would have virtually synonomous with separtion of state and church is indication that the paradigm has been shifted. </font>[/QUOTE]Excellent! The paradigm shift is, at least in part, the product of government schools. The danger now is that liberals view these schools as the perfect venue in which to impart and further their own viewpoints under the mandate of government authority. We will live to see more teaching of "beliefs" in our government schools.

 

Some people value their liberty, realize how it can be lost, and desire to guard against it. To be wary of the government is not to disrespect its validity but rather to keep it within its bounds.

 

Are you kidding? I know several parents who send their kids to the most expensive schools because it's a status symbol. Sad but true, and it's more common than we want to admit. </font>[/QUOTE]Some people do everything for status so I'm sure it's possible sending their children to an "elite" school is yet another opportunity!

I don't have statistics to prove it, but I just have to believe that people typically send their children to private school because they want them to get an education of better quality than they can get from the public school. They visit the government school, take a look around, talk to others, and conclude they must do something better for their children.

Not everyone that makes this choice is necessarily rich either! Some people struggle to make it happen because they consider it that important.

Others home school their children for the same reasons and because they want to be sure their children are taught the beliefs they hold.