I know they are unpleasant, but removing differening points of view does not help them to be able to sharpen their skills against these people, and to help reach inside a liberals brain and squash their arguments. In pulling so many conservative voices out of the schools, the only ones left are now running it. Because of that the infiltration of the schools became possible.
"Free public education" itself always has been part of the leftist-progressive agenda. Government-run education is a socialist idea. So, parents aren't supporting conservative principles, such as free enterprise, when they place their children into the public school system. A greater number of students in public school only translates into more support for the public school system.
If enough parents pulled their children from public schools and educated them elsewhere (private/parochial schools, at home, etc.), the public school system would have to change in order to bring students back in. The monopoly would be threatened. If very few parents put their children into public schools, most public schools would shut down completely, and private enterprise would take over. So, the best way to fight the public school monopoly is to stop supporting it by placing children into it.
And I mean no offense here, either. We're talking about principles on an internet forum, but Real Life is another matter: I DO understand why parents place their children into public school. After all, they're paying for it, and they worry that their children will miss out on socialization and a good education elsewhere. I understand all the concerns they have, and I understand children wanting to go to school, too. But, the fact is, putting children into the public school system is the same as supporting it.
Just as placing children into public school translates into greater support for it, placing children into leftist-progressive homeschool organizations translates into support for them, too. Families have to pay fees to belong to a homeschool organization, and as members, they're required to devote their time and effort to it, too. I don't want to support something wrong with my money, my time, and my effort. When parents remove their children from a homeschool organization, they're removing their support, too.
In the free market, if we don't like something, we can stop supporting it with our money. Not so with public schools - that's why I have a bigger complaint with the public school system.
Also, although I commend you and your children, I disagree that children should be expected to be foot soldiers. Unless you lock them in the house forever, they will be exposed to different kinds of people in different settings. They'll hear profanity, etc. But, I would never actively look for those kinds of people for the purpose of associating my children closely with them.
I am in complete agreement as to the state, and reason for public schools. I can tell you however, there was a time when bibles were read in school. It was opened with prayer. Real history was taught, and our education was the envy of the world.
I don’t exactly consider my kids foot soldiers, they are patriots. They are going to be fighting the coming war both in school and in the country. As to the socialization aspect, my kids are in this world, not of it. I know you can expose your kids to many things as a homeschooler, as well as many people. There is however, a big difference between attending/observing a boxing match and being a boxer.
I do not begrudge anyone homeschooling, as I said, I did it, and believe strongly in it. You do not need to defend your choices to me, I support free enterprise. I would prefer to have a voucher system but since there is none available, I have chosen to work with what is available, and raised my kids to call a duck a duck in the school system.
I agree that if more parents pulled their kids out they would have to conform to compete. I also know that most people do not have that luxury, so becoming active in the school system and politics is the next best thing. And while my time in the public school system is nearly through, I am still working from the inside to help our next generation not be subject to such poor options. There should be freedom of choice in a truer sense. Persons homeschooling should get some of their own property tax money back to assist with curriculums. Tax money should also be able to be used toward private/parochial education. This can and should be done legislatively.
I am glad you have taken the resposibility of parenting as seriously as I have, and I applaud every parent who understands we will stand before almighty God and judged on our actions especially in this most grave responsibility. All the best to you and yours in this most holy and good endeavor!!
It doesn't currently work that way. A school system is not awarded money based on the quantity of pupils. It is awarded money based on the amount of property taxes paid. Government school districts love it when kids are homeschooled because that leaves more money for everyone else. If suddenly no students showed up at government schools, I am sure our bolshevik overlords would find something else to spend those tax dollars on.
The only way to fight it is to install a voucher system and require principals at government schools to set their own tuition amounts. Every kid gets a voucher to go to school, whether public or private. And Every kid can choose whatever school he/she attends, whether public or private. If a school happens to charge more than the voucher is worth, the parents will have to make up the difference. If a school charges less, the parents collect the difference. And if a public school cannot attract enough students to maintain operating costs, they go out of business.
Just think, principals would be competing against each other for the best teachers, paying higher salaries, and they would actually have the freedom to fire bad teachers. What a novel concept.