Over the past few years, I have found myself amid an educational debate, one that I would rather not be involved in. In my work, I have been blessed to work with people from three main categories: those who believe strongly in homeschooling, those who support Christian education, and those who feel called to public education. I belong to a fourth group.
In many of my conversations with friends, I hear their laments that they feel judged, and I have most certainly heard these insensitive comments myself. The truth is, it's just as easy to make generalizations about public school teachers and public schools as it is about parents who choose to homeschool. Both are inappropriate and unfair.
Homeschoolers model Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it." I appreciate the way that they sacrifice and devote themselves to the education of their children because when I look at their actions and their hearts, I realize their hearts' biggest desire is to pass on their faith. Most are not only giving their children an education that is individualized to their particular learning needs, but those moms and dads also take the time to validate and encourage their children's gifts.
Along with homeschoolers, Christian schools are in the business of equipping their students. They straddle the philosophical gap between public education and homeschooling, providing that fundamental Christian foundation in a more conventional format: five to seven subjects a day, each led by teachers who have been trained specifically in that age group or content area.
Public schools, on the other hand, provide an education for all children no matter the family income level, student IQ, or religion. They are the equivalent of the American melting pot. They don't have the convenience of application and acceptance procedures, but they do receive a steady income (though inadequate) of taxpayer money. Public schools have their own set of problems. Not one is perfect.
Ah, yes. I told you I was in the fourth category. The fourth category acknowledges that there is a place for every one of these schooling options. I come from the background of public education, where I've seen Christian servanthood demonstrated again and again, where I've seen students proclaiming God's love to one another, and where I've seen all students—from the drug addict's son to the business owner's daughter to the student with multiple disabilities—learning to value one another rather than judging one another's deficiencies.
Each educational method comes with its own set of difficulties. Interpersonal skills are more easily taught when kids are around other kids, but too much togetherness sometimes results in bullying and a social ladder within schools. That doesn't make one wrong and the other right; it merely means that each has its challenges.
You see, I know kids. I know that each needs something different. I know that life isn't fair to all of them, and that some need help up. I believe all of us, no matter our educational preference, have a role in giving that something to them. By all means, even if we believe that all growth begins with salvation through Christ, the only way we can spread the love of Jesus Christ is by being present.
When we can quit our bickering with one another long enough, we may finally recognize that each of our educational options serves a purpose.
Maybe then they'll see the true light of Christ in us: Christ, the One who taught in the roads, in homes, and on the hillside. Christ, the One who told us not to judge one another. Christ, the One whom all Christians claim to be serving.
Perhaps now is the time to drop our presumptions about each other. Maybe now is the right time to accept that all Christians need to stand together not for my kid, not for your kid, but for all kids. Instead of hammering away at each other's weaknesses, maybe it's time for us to lift one another up and start praying for each other.
What, I'm wondering, will that teach our children?
