Contact: Ben Gilmore
Phone: 916-722-2501
EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: Open, with attribution
California Public 'Education'
Let me begin with the "bottom line." PLEASE, for the sake of your children and the next generation of Americans, get your children out of the public school system in California - NOW -- TODAY!
I know, everyone thinks their particular school - is better than the others. -- has a good teacher that is not teaching 'bad' things to your kids. -- is turning out better graduates than the others and has no problems.
The California public education system is governed top down, not locally as should be the case. Federal and state laws create a standardized level of mediocrity. Individual teachers refusing to bow to such foolishness risk their jobs as do principles and superintendents who do not enforce these "standards."
Bureaucrats in the education department will object, saying that each school is indeed locally governed. Ask if that means local parental groups are free to select all the text books used to educate their kids. Ask if that means each school is free to ignore the new state law requiring that homosexuality be presented as an acceptable lifestyle. Ask if that means local community standards may dictate that Buddhist, Christian, or humanist principles be taught.
That is the bottom line. Now let's jump to the beginning.
There is a benevolent God who is creator of the universe and everything in it. I know He is benevolent because we have not been turned into frogs as we deserve! I know there is such a Being because only a fool in his heart says, "There is no God."
That benevolent Being has a personality that loves (unselfishly desires the very best for-) each of us. He created families as the building blocks of every society. The vertical relationship of families with God we call "church," or worship. The horizontal relationship between families and families we call "civil government."
Civil governments, good or bad, have a vested interest in "educating" the next generation to support (perpetuate) their form of government.
Churches have a vested interest in the education of the next generation to perpetuate their faith (again, either good or bad doctrine).
Parents, I submit, have the primary vested interest in education their kids. First, because they are responsible for choosing to bring that child into the world. Next because they have a vested interest in the value system those kids will carry into adulthood. Remember, our kids will be the ones who choose our retirement homes! Lastly, because God is very clear in admonishing parents to, "Raise up a child in the way that he should go..."
That said: If a school system that uses your children as lab mice for social experiments, while training them to serve the state's godless socialism, represents your value system - Please take them out of the system anyway. The rest of us don't deserve the trouble your kids are going to cause society.
The "American way" is not a godless way. The "American way" is indeed a nondenominational way. Separation of denominational church and state makes good sense. Separation of God and state is insanity. God invented state (civil government - Genesis 4:15)! He invented separation of powers (Isaiah 33:22). He invented Representative government (republic) when Moses set up the judicial system in the desert. He invented the Federal system (love God and love your neighbor).
What then are parents to do? How can they teach without teacher training? If a benevolent God gives you a task to accomplish, it is out of His character not to provide the means to accomplish it. That does not say it must be easy, or without sacrifice. I speak from experience, it will be rewarding.
Once you dedicate yourself to the task and remove your child from the public school system, you will discover there is an abundance of opportunity. There are Christian schools (some better than others), coop schools (parents pooling their talents and resources), and home schooling (which I consider the very best alternative).
We encouraged and helped a mother to home school her kids. Later she told me "The most fulfilling moments as a parent are when I am teaching my kids." You cannot lead where you have not been.
Will it be easy to stay ahead of a hungry student? Absolutely not. It will require that you learn to study. Though abundant, you will have to search out resources. You will have to sacrifice personal fulfillment in other areas. If you are childless, think about that before having a family.
I suggest you begin by writing down your goal in training up your child. If it is to impart knowledge, have a care, knowledge without good character will turn on you. I suggest fear (i.e. reverence) of God. "Reverence of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Wisdom will produce good character. Good character will not misuse knowledge.
As Dr. Laura would say, "Now, go do the right thing!"
Ben & Fran Gilmore
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
Voice 916-722-2501
Fax 916-722-7502
e-mail histbuff@garlic.com
