As an exponent of Home Education, I often find myself engaged in the same arguments over and over again.  It seems there are not many “arguments” for Christians sending their children to government schools (once you answer the ‘Salt and Light’ argument, the ‘what happens if all the Christians leave?’ argument, and the ‘educational antinomianism’ argument, there’s not much to say).  However, one argument that one hears on the rarest of occasions is the ‘superiority of government education’ argument.  It seems some people have not gotten the memo and still believe the myth of home-educated imbeciles walking around who can neither read nor write well (and is “extremely awkward” when relating to others), and have little more than a few memory verses (KJV of course) to show for their years of sheltered isolation under the tutelage of  their legalistic, under-educated, hyper-patriarchal parents. (by the way, this is only a slight exaggeration of the actual charge)

While there are definitely home educated students out there who have less-than-ideal educational experiences, the aforementioned caricature is far from the norm.  (not to mention the fact that government schools are notorious for producing imbeciles) In fact, study after study has demonstrated the absolute folly of the academic inferiority myth (look here for a monograph combining the research of the past twenty-plus years).  The fact of the matter is students educated at home outperform their public and private school peers.  Another recent must-see study has confirmed what in some areas is an increasing gap (now 34-39 points): 

Drawing from 15 independent testing services, the Progress Report 2009: Homeschool Academic Achievement and Demographics included 11,739 homeschooled students from all 50 states who took three well-known tests—California Achievement Test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, and Stanford Achievement Test for the 2007–08 academic year. The Progress Report is the most comprehensive homeschool academic study ever completed.

The results are typical, but I continue to be amazed as I see the sheer magnitude of the academic superiority of home education.  However, anyone who has engaged in the battle over education knows that these results, though astonishing, mean nothing to those addicted to the Nation’s leading welfare/free daycare program.  Results like these are often met with cries of, “well, that may be true when parents are well-educated.”  However, as this study points out, there is no statistically significant difference between the performance of home educated students whose parents have a college degree and those whose parents do not.  Others argue, “Well, if you’re financially well-off, of course you’re going to be able to be an effective home educator.”  This study explodes that myth as well.  The amount of money a family earns (or spends on education) makes little or no difference in academic performance.  Unfortunately, the NEA has gotten their bluff in and the masses believe education has to be carried out under the supervision of “trained professional” teachers.  Thus, studies like this (which expose this concept as pure myth), make little headway.

Fortunately, the academic argument is the weakest argument for home education.  Even if home educated students were neck-and-neck with those educated in government schools (as opposed to whipping them like tied up goats), there would be several convincing arguments for home education.  I made five recently, but for now I’ll make just one:  Education is discipleship; whomever we allow to educate our children is discipling our children.  “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40 ESV). 

If I knew for a fact the school down the street could ensure better test scores for my children, I still wouldn’t give them my children!  I am commanded to bring my children up in the nurture and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4), and to do so by teaching them God’s statutes when I sit in my house, when I lie down, when I rise up, and when I walk along the way (Deut. 6:7).  I am also admonished not to place myself, or by extension my children, under false teaching (Col. 2:8), or to expose them to teaching that undermines God’s Law (Matt. 5:17-20).  Instead, I must teach them to “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:5), to refuse to be “conformed to the pattern of this world” (Rom. 12:2), and meditate on God’s Law day and night (Ps. 1:2). 

Yes, the academic argument is a potent one.  However, it pales in comparison to the biblical/theological argument for Christian discipleship through education.  Still, one wonders how any parent who truly loves his or her child and wants the ‘best’ for them could look at a study like this and still drop them off at the local government indoctrination center later this month.  But anyone who has been engaged in this discussion longer than a few days knows exactly what the answer to this charge will be... “OUR SCHOOLS ARE DIFFERENT!” (I even heard this argument from a woman in a school district in Georgia that had lost it’s accreditation!)

Parents do love their children.  Unfortunately, many parents are simply misinformed, and quite inert when it comes to the education question.  Prayerfully, studies like the “Progress Report” and updates like “The Continuing Collapse” will open a few more eyes.  In fact, I have met and/or corresponded with at least half a dozen families this summer who decided to leave government schools as a result of information they have received from these and other sources.  It seems there are some minds ready to “unplug from the Matrix” after all.

VB