OK - so I didn't actually do any actual investigative work . . . BUT, as you watch the TV coverage of the current national Safe and Drug Free Schools czar, Kevin Jennings, and his connections with homosexual and pedophilia activism, keep in mind that I blogged about him back in June. Scroll down to find that previous post (June 7).
Yikes.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Cancelling high school sports
Interesting array of articles lately in the news about high schools that are cancelling high school sports due to lack of funding and a down economy. Hard to know if a significant trend is developing, but Sports Illustrated saw it coming last year and thought enough about it to write an article.
If a true trend develops, I wonder if it could mean a movement toward private/parochial schools. We'll see.
If a true trend develops, I wonder if it could mean a movement toward private/parochial schools. We'll see.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Irony!?!
Did anyone else catch how Obama finished his address to the students of America today?
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
He mentioned God in school! Odds are that if he was a valedictorian at one of nation's public high schools, some principal would have made him take that out of his speech.
Beautiful irony.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
He mentioned God in school! Odds are that if he was a valedictorian at one of nation's public high schools, some principal would have made him take that out of his speech.
Beautiful irony.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Textbooks
Fox News has been on the "biased textbooks" trail lately - something that is hard to find definitive examples of but is generally believed by educators to be true.
I think some level of "bias" in textbooks should be expected: if the author of a textbook approaches the subject from a Christian worldview, I would expect that its tone and outlook to be different that a textbook written by avowed atheistic college professors. Duh. I've never found it to be a huge deal. It's far more important that a Christian teacher can spot anti-Christian bias and point it out to the students.
With that being said, some of the examples put forth in the following article are shocking - Jesus as a Palestinian is pretty bad. The promotion of Islam is true for most of the World History textbooks that I have seen.
Check out the clip of this special that ran a few days ago on Fox News:
I think some level of "bias" in textbooks should be expected: if the author of a textbook approaches the subject from a Christian worldview, I would expect that its tone and outlook to be different that a textbook written by avowed atheistic college professors. Duh. I've never found it to be a huge deal. It's far more important that a Christian teacher can spot anti-Christian bias and point it out to the students.
With that being said, some of the examples put forth in the following article are shocking - Jesus as a Palestinian is pretty bad. The promotion of Islam is true for most of the World History textbooks that I have seen.
Check out the clip of this special that ran a few days ago on Fox News:
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Changing student grades
I have often wondered about an interesting dichotomy that exists in public education:
If student failures = "bad publicity" = less money to the school district, then what incentive exists for raising standards if more kids fail? Why not just artificially inflate student grades and claim academic excellence?
It seems that is becoming an issue in Chicago - check out this shocking article!
Here's an interesting bit from the article:
"It's in the culture of the schools,'' wrote one experienced high school teacher who raised numerous grades under pressure -- and said at least one was changed without his approval. "You can't completely be honest in grading students, otherwise the failure rate would be off the chart.''
WOW!
If student failures = "bad publicity" = less money to the school district, then what incentive exists for raising standards if more kids fail? Why not just artificially inflate student grades and claim academic excellence?
It seems that is becoming an issue in Chicago - check out this shocking article!
Here's an interesting bit from the article:
"It's in the culture of the schools,'' wrote one experienced high school teacher who raised numerous grades under pressure -- and said at least one was changed without his approval. "You can't completely be honest in grading students, otherwise the failure rate would be off the chart.''
WOW!
Friday, August 28, 2009
What about charter schools? - part II
Great article today in WorldMag.com about the fall of the urban Christian schools and its relationship with vouchers and charter schools. Here's my favorite paragraph from the article:
Bob Rogalski, a marketer for Christian schools with the Christian School Development Center, divides Christian school supporters into two groups that sometimes clash. The first—the "Stalwarts"—passionately believe in a Christian education that strengthens morals and theology. They run the church that runs the school and write prompt donation checks to support it. The "Seekers" are the Gen-X parents—spiritual but not religious, looking not for doctrine but accreditation, not for theology but textbooks, an education that will prepare their kids more for the job market than the afterlife. If they're out of money they'll go to a charter school instead, and the "Baptist" in the name just won't impress them.
Sounds like he read my previous post.
Bob Rogalski, a marketer for Christian schools with the Christian School Development Center, divides Christian school supporters into two groups that sometimes clash. The first—the "Stalwarts"—passionately believe in a Christian education that strengthens morals and theology. They run the church that runs the school and write prompt donation checks to support it. The "Seekers" are the Gen-X parents—spiritual but not religious, looking not for doctrine but accreditation, not for theology but textbooks, an education that will prepare their kids more for the job market than the afterlife. If they're out of money they'll go to a charter school instead, and the "Baptist" in the name just won't impress them.
Sounds like he read my previous post.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What about the charter schools?
I get asked on occasion this question: Has the rise of charter schools hurt enrollment at Christian schools?
For those families who are seeking a Christian education, charter schools usually aren't an option because they are still under control of a school district and inherently secular. But for families who are seeking a "non-public-school option," charter schools are appealing for two huge reasons:
1. They are run much like private and Christian schools with all the perks that that brings.
2. They are free.
So, I answer the question with . . . .yes.
Relating to #1 above - check out what is happening in Los Angeles HERE. The public school district is converting 250 schools to charter schools so they can be saved and managed better. I can't even think of good analogy to describe how shocking that is . . . .maybe I'll add one later.
For those families who are seeking a Christian education, charter schools usually aren't an option because they are still under control of a school district and inherently secular. But for families who are seeking a "non-public-school option," charter schools are appealing for two huge reasons:
1. They are run much like private and Christian schools with all the perks that that brings.
2. They are free.
So, I answer the question with . . . .yes.
Relating to #1 above - check out what is happening in Los Angeles HERE. The public school district is converting 250 schools to charter schools so they can be saved and managed better. I can't even think of good analogy to describe how shocking that is . . . .maybe I'll add one later.
Monday, August 24, 2009
More wackiness from California!
I'm back - pardon the summer layoff from blogging - school news is slow in the summer.
A woman who four and a half years ago was fired for playing a song in a public school that had the word "Christ"in it had her day in court today -I'll update the results soon. Here's the link to the story.
A woman who four and a half years ago was fired for playing a song in a public school that had the word "Christ"in it had her day in court today -I'll update the results soon. Here's the link to the story.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Safe and drug-free schools
Although I am ever-so-careful to only criticize the institution of public education and not the people who work in it, I am often asked "can you not just talk about the value of Christian education without putting down public schools?"
In a word? No.
Christian parents don't need Christian schools to bring their children up in the Lord. Yet, I think two things:
1. Christian schools complement nicely the worldview being taught in the home of solid Christian parents.
2. Most Christian parents don't have the first idea the worldview that is being imposed on their children in the public schools.
It isn't about criticizing the institution of public education - it's about trying to educate parents as to what is really going on. It's not wrong for Christian parents to place their kids in public schools. But you had better bring your parenting A-game to counteract what they are going to be learning.
For example, this week President Obama appointed Kevin Jennings as head of the national Safe and drug-free schools organization.
I cannot link to anything with Mr. Jennings for fear of what you may have to read. I'll let you do it: just google "kevin jennings" with "obama" or with "GLSEN." Sorry.
In a word? No.
Christian parents don't need Christian schools to bring their children up in the Lord. Yet, I think two things:
1. Christian schools complement nicely the worldview being taught in the home of solid Christian parents.
2. Most Christian parents don't have the first idea the worldview that is being imposed on their children in the public schools.
It isn't about criticizing the institution of public education - it's about trying to educate parents as to what is really going on. It's not wrong for Christian parents to place their kids in public schools. But you had better bring your parenting A-game to counteract what they are going to be learning.
For example, this week President Obama appointed Kevin Jennings as head of the national Safe and drug-free schools organization.
I cannot link to anything with Mr. Jennings for fear of what you may have to read. I'll let you do it: just google "kevin jennings" with "obama" or with "GLSEN." Sorry.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Reformed approach
Members of the Southern Baptist Convention have for years been trying to pass a resolution advocating its members to exit the public schools. Albert Moehler, president of the SBC Seminary has led the charge in articles like this one.
While "exiting the public schools" has not been warmly received by the majority of Baptists, it has spurred discussion and debate and recently led to a recent article, written by Morris Chapman, that frames the issue in a more positive light (perhaps more "Lutheran" if you will). Read it here.
He advocates the Southeran Baptist community raising up more schools: In recent days, two questions have weighed heavily on my soul. If Southern Baptists don't do it, who will? If we don't do it now, do we risk forever losing the opportunity to build schools for God's glory and the future of our children, grandchildren and the land we love?
For whatever it's worth, I do believe that Christian education will only be truly be valued by Christians when the church makes a strong call for its members to partner with its schools in the spiritual development of children. It seems the Baptists are headed towards that call - when will other denominations follow?
While "exiting the public schools" has not been warmly received by the majority of Baptists, it has spurred discussion and debate and recently led to a recent article, written by Morris Chapman, that frames the issue in a more positive light (perhaps more "Lutheran" if you will). Read it here.
He advocates the Southeran Baptist community raising up more schools: In recent days, two questions have weighed heavily on my soul. If Southern Baptists don't do it, who will? If we don't do it now, do we risk forever losing the opportunity to build schools for God's glory and the future of our children, grandchildren and the land we love?
For whatever it's worth, I do believe that Christian education will only be truly be valued by Christians when the church makes a strong call for its members to partner with its schools in the spiritual development of children. It seems the Baptists are headed towards that call - when will other denominations follow?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
An open-minded prom . . .
Non-stop entertainment coming from California - Read this.
Disturbing line of the article: "It just goes to show how open-minded our class is," Lo said.
Ah, yes, the public school pursuit of open-mindedness.
Disturbing line of the article: "It just goes to show how open-minded our class is," Lo said.
Ah, yes, the public school pursuit of open-mindedness.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Those crazy Gideons!
Interesting article about distributing Bibles in a public school! How did they get away with that? Read it here!
Regardless of whether that's appropriate or not, here is my favorite part of the article:
Michael Baier, who has a son at Frisco's Lakeland High School, said that religious groups should not be allowed to offer their teachings on campus.
"If they're God-fearing Christians ... they should be giving those items wherever they worship. School is a place to learn, not a place to worship," Baier told FOXNews.com.
He has obviously never been in a Lutheran high school.
Regardless of whether that's appropriate or not, here is my favorite part of the article:
Michael Baier, who has a son at Frisco's Lakeland High School, said that religious groups should not be allowed to offer their teachings on campus.
"If they're God-fearing Christians ... they should be giving those items wherever they worship. School is a place to learn, not a place to worship," Baier told FOXNews.com.
He has obviously never been in a Lutheran high school.
A win for praying middle schoolers!
The Alliance Defense Fund rides to the rescue of Christian middle school students in California - click here for the full article.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
"Great Expectations"
Here is a link to a great article centered around a Christian school written by Carol DeMar (author of It takes a backbone to raise terrific kids!)
A couple of excerpts:
Parents Must Begin to Parent - Low expectations prevail even in the Christian community. There are exceptions, but too often Christians can be observed parenting badly. No longer are children responsible for their actions—their bad behavior is always someone else’s fault—teachers or other children. Children are pulling the strings, dictating what they want from Mom and Dad who “dance” on cue.
Preparing your children to fulfill their role as Christians in the world should be your goal. Fathers and mothers working together teaching and training their children to pursue excellence is commanded by our Lord. Do not be content to teach your children to accept second-rate status. We do them a tremendous disservice and dishonor the God we serve. May great expectations flourish once again among Christians throughout the land!
A couple of excerpts:
Parents Must Begin to Parent - Low expectations prevail even in the Christian community. There are exceptions, but too often Christians can be observed parenting badly. No longer are children responsible for their actions—their bad behavior is always someone else’s fault—teachers or other children. Children are pulling the strings, dictating what they want from Mom and Dad who “dance” on cue.
Preparing your children to fulfill their role as Christians in the world should be your goal. Fathers and mothers working together teaching and training their children to pursue excellence is commanded by our Lord. Do not be content to teach your children to accept second-rate status. We do them a tremendous disservice and dishonor the God we serve. May great expectations flourish once again among Christians throughout the land!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Who needs an internet filter?
For those of you with a more conservative slant - here's an interesting story coming out of Michigan . . .
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