By John Van Der Brink
All that now has radically changed. Prayer in public schools has been outlawed, the Bible has lost its place, and any principles or values promoted may not refer to the Bible as the foundation. In its place all kinds of un-Christian and anti-Christian viewpoints are promoted.
The quality of education in America has also changed radically. American schools were once the epidemy of quality. Our schools were advanced compared to those in other countries. Now our elementary and secondary schools rank about 25th compared to other industrialized nations. And that is despite the fact that we spend tens of thousands of dollars per year per child on their education.
During the 20th century, parents in many communities reacted with alarm. They became increasingly concerned about the changes and the quality of education in public schools. Eventually they felt compelled to withdraw their children from public schools. They started their own Christian or private schools to try to adhere to the values and quality of a former day. And the only way they could do so was to pay for it with their own money.
Funding Public Schools
This did not change their obligation to pay for public education! Funding public schools follows the same pattern before the radical changes. A large portion of the costs of public education comes from property taxes. This has led many to complain that they need to continue to pay for a system of education whose quality has decreased and whose ideology they disagree with.
College, Universities
Unlike our public elementary and secondary schools, American colleges and universities are still the envy of the world. Students from all over the world choose to attend our colleges and universities because we still have some of the best available. Parents in America too can send their children to a college of their choice, and they do not have to pay tuition to other schools. Their tuition dollars are funneled to the school of their choice only. They can choose a state or private university, and they pay for what they receive. This has created a healthy competition in American colleges and universities, and quality in many places remains high as a result of it. No one is forced to go to a college or university based on their zip code.
School Choice
Some legislators would like to change our elementary and secondary education system to reflect the model of higher of education in our country. This would be a system where parents could direct their tax dollars to elementary and secondary schools of their own choice. Parents would not be obligated by zip code to send their children to low-quality schools or to places where things are taught contrary to their beliefs. Instead, they could funnel their tax dollars to private schools if they choose to do so. There are several ways this objective could be accomplished. School vouchers, tax deduction, and tax credits are methods that can be used to allow parents greater freedom in choosing a suitable education for their children.
Teacher Unions
Not surprisingly, teacher unions, public school leaders, and many citizens oppose these initiatives. They are afraid of many students being drawn away from the public system, and they see competing tax dollars as a threat to their existence. They claim that “separation of church and state” does not allow that money to go to private education. And these people and groups have a powerful voice. So far, their opposition has prevented school choice in many localities.
Vouchers
Is it actually feasible for Christian education to be at least partially funded with property taxes from parents who choose to send their children? There currently is some legislation being considered in certain states to make that possible. But we do have to be careful about the outcome. We never want to sacrifice the freedom to teach what we want for the benefit of financial assistance. And in many places where there is public support, there is at least some government control of the curriculum. So far in New Jersey, our schools are completely free to teach what we want.
The Future of Christian Education
Christian Education is vitally important for the future of our country. In one sense, our country depends on the continuance of Christian schools. They are a beacon of morality that is still shaping students who will soon form the values in adult society. We have already seen the erosion of the values that stemmed from so many students taught in non-Biblical schools. We need to promote schools where parents, not bureaucrats, are in control of their children’s destiny.
The Lord has given us our Christian school. May the Lord continue to provide in the unknown future. Many things are necessary in life. Martha was cumbered about much serving. But one thing is needful, and Mary had chosen that greater part. May the Lord grant that our lives may reflect that same desire. If some kind of financial relief can be safely realized, that would be good. But if we need to continue to separately pay for Christian education in order to exist, then so be it. The temporal and eternal welfare of our children is worth more than any financial prosperity. May the Lord bless our efforts to His honor and glory.
John Van Der Brink, director of the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and a member of the Board of Directors of Christian Council International (CCI)