Redeeming Public School at the Expense of Homeschooling

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-education-department-oklahoma-public-schools

Aside from the pathetic notion of PragerU videos being used for public school curriculum, the interesting thing to me about all this is that the supposed reform and redemption of public schooling will (in theory) lead to a boost in enrollment - and consequently a set-back for Christian Homeschooling.

For years, the more serious thinkers about Christian parenting and child rearing (and those who are a little more doctrinally driven) have basically concluded that the public school system is not an option for faithful Christians. Public schools might have been viable at one time (maybe), but have not been for many decades. As such, some have even pushed hard within the Church, suggesting that parents who send their kids to public school should be held to account - in other words, they're sinning in doing so and need to answer for it.

The problem has been that vast numbers of Evangelicals work for the public school system and there are (admittedly) some people who are in a bind - tough situations that make the prospect of homeschooling difficult. And for many Christian schooling is expensive and not always convenient. Others are critical of these schools, observing that they are fundamentally structured in the same way as the Horace Mann and John Dewey-inspired public schools.

Some parents are daunted by the very idea of home education - they feel inadequate or more often than not do not have a proper disciplinary handle on their children - a separate but related parenting issue. Others have skewed priorities with regard to income. Some work difficult shifts that would make it a challenge, and though many who are fully capable insist they're not - there are nevertheless cases of parents that just don't have it in them. Between a lack of education, imagination, and drive, coupled with a lack of discipline in the household - it simply will not work.

Some churches have tried to make Christian education (by means of a private Christian school) as cheap as possible and yet it's still too much for some. Others who can afford it, feel more comfortable with the conventional (and yet very modern) model of public schooling. They fear their children being 'weird' or 'strange' and think sending them to public school will alleviate that - as bizarre a notion as that is. It's even stranger and more troubling for Christian parents who (seemingly) have capitulated to the world's mores concerning societal conformity, success, and respectability.

All education tends toward indoctrination, especially for children. We should expect that and to some extent engage in the same when it comes to our children. What's offensive about this Trump-driven/Christian Right agenda is not the notion of children being indoctrinated, but rather what they're being taught. We object to the secular models and yet what's far more offensive is this pseudo-Christian model being advocated by Christian Right educators. It's not just offensive, it's heretically-driven revisionism and ultimately far more dangerous. Children growing up in a solid Christian home won't be fooled by the secular teachers - or at least are far less likely to be so. And yet, Christian children who are taught this error in the name of the faith, (coupled with parents who celebrate the same) are certain to led astray. It's inevitable.

This is all aside from the outright lies concerning things like the 2020 presidential stolen election narrative or Right-wing revisionism concerning Covid-19 and the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot.

New Testament Christians do not want their children pledging allegiance to a flag nor an education system that glosses over the evils of empire and sanctifies its wars - even while learning the Bible passages 'that influenced the Founders'. In other words, these are passages the Founders ignored.

It must be acknowledged that many Christian-motivated homeschoolers teach these same things (and worse) in the context of home education. The real problem here is the Church and its present state of confusion and epistemological chaos. This is inseparable from the education agenda being pursued.

For my part, I understand why public schools formed and why many believe in them. I understand the purpose they serve vis-a'-vis larger society, even while repudiating the Prussian-inspired views of the Unitarian Mann and the atheist Dewey. The breakup of public schools would probably be detrimental for society, but I'm just as adamant - Christians have no business sending their kids there.