Written by Virginia Yurich
Everywhere I look I see thriving homeschool families. Everywhere. Every conversation I have with my homeschool friends is complete with a panoramic view of God’s handiwork.
STATISTICS
The statistics for homeschoolers are notably impressive. The National Home Education Research Institute has a plethora of information and empirical evidence supporting home education. Homeschoolers generally fare better socially and emotionally than public school students, and here’s the kicker: they do better academically, as well.
Prepare yourself for the mind-blowing statistics: Homeschoolers score an average of 25-30% higher on standardized tests, and this statistic remains consistent regardless of the mother’s education. For any mother who feels inadequate to teach her children, and this is one of the most common concerns, she can rest assured that she will not fail her child. In fact, she will do quite the opposite. Her child’s teacher at school, even with a teacher certificate, a Ph.D. and years of experience, will only be able to do 70-75% of what she as the parent can do.
WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY?
Throughout Scripture, there is a consistency about who is supposed to educate children. God gives the education and discipleship of children to the parents with the help of the church, not to the state.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Psalm 110:10), tells us explicitly that all teaching should stem from a reverence of God. This does not and cannot happen in public school settings. Though the word “school” does not appear in the Bible, God is certainly not silent about childhood, training, or education. Christian children are to receive a Christian education.
Proverbs 22 is full of parenting nuggets as well:
“The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on and are punished for it” (vs.3);
“Thorns and snares are in the way of the wicked; He who guards himself will be far from them” (vs.5);
“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (vs.6).
There is no denying that public schools have become dangerous places: physically, spiritually and emotionally. Children in public schools are absolutely in harm’s way.
PESONAL TESTIMONY
As a public school teacher in middle-class suburbia, I taught high school (from 2003 until 2008.) For many years I walked the halls between class times because the school I taught in was over-crowded, and I didn’t have a classroom of my own. Daily I overheard the most vulgar and vile conversations. I am beyond convinced that if any parents walked the hallways of a public junior high or high school as I did between class periods for just one week, they would never even consider sending their children back. It wouldn’t even be a matter of discussion. They would pull their children and never look back.
Please, do not be naïve that this is not happening. So many parents say, “Not in our school,” but I promise you, it is happening at your school. John Taylor Gatto taught for over 30 years in the public school. He was the 1991 NY Teacher of the Year and spent time in schools across his state. He said, “Every public school is a laboratory of rudeness, cruelty, sloppiness, and coarseness.” That is the truth. Parents don’t know because they aren’t there. Often teachers don’t even know because they aren’t in the hallways. Children are not forthright with what they are exposed to because it is awkward and embarrassing.
Are there some good things that happen at school? Sure. Are there teachers who are loving and God-fearing? Sure. But none of that changes the fact that sending a child to public school is like sending them into an R- rated (or worse) movie, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. A public high school teacher and friend of mine posted on social media,
“I hear more 4-letter expletives by high school students before 8 o’clock in the morning than in all the “Die Hard” movies combined.”
Even if your children are not actively participating, they are hearing every bit of it. I heard the most sexual and crass conversations in the hallways, including ones I’ve never repeated because I would be too embarrassed to say those things out loud.
GOOD NEWS
By God’s grace I came upon the Exodus Mandate Project ministry that strongly advocates for a Christian education for Christian children. Through their ministry, I was exposed to the writings of Israel Wayne, Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and John Taylor Gatto Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, which had an immediate and profound impact on my life. Reading these books and listening to the weekly broadcasts of “Ray Moore Live” from Exodus Mandate reminded me of the verses that say, “How can they hear if no one tells them” (Romans 10:14) and “How beautiful are the feet of those who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7).
Despite the very apparent dangers of the public school system, the majority of evangelical Christians still send their children to be indoctrinated year after year in the public schools.
THRIVING HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES
Every single day since we have started our parenting journey, God has given me confirmation that we are walking on the right path in the education of our five children. Both in our geographic area and across the country, there are news articles every day of molestations and violence in public schools, failing test scores and explicitly anti-Christian teachings and indoctrination.
Homeschooling families offer a safe haven to their children. They are keepers of the beautiful knowledge that it is a privilege, but also a mandate, to train up our own kids in a godly manner. Homeschooling families are a light to the world, and they are thriving and flourishing!
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3).
If you would like more information on how to homeschool, here are some resources we recommend:
Exodus Mandate
Public School Exit
Christian Education Initiative
Renew A Nation
The Foundation for American Christian Education
Freedom Project Academy
The Old Schoolhouse
Classical Conversations
Homeschool Academy
Family Renewal
Illinois Christian Home Educators
Virginia (Ginny) Yurich is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five. She founded 1000 Hours Outside, as a way to share with teachers, caregivers and parents the concept of devoting time to be outdoors with children (https://1000hoursoutside.com). Yurich has now become a positive and powerful influence with followers around the globe.
