Public Education: Do Standardized Tests Measure Real Education?

As we homeschool, we continue to battle a highly ingrained system of “the right way” to do things. Since most of us were educated by the government system, part of that education consequently led us to believe that the methodologies used were the “best” if not the only way to properly educate children. Only a minimal amount of research (if one is willing to challenge the sacred cow of public education) reveals that much of the approach of government education is not only academically inferior, but meant from the beginning to “dumb down” the public.

No subject is perhaps as controversial as this one. I recently got a very heated email from a pastor’s wife “lashing” me for “the wound I inflict” on parents who send their children to public school. I’ll be honest, I felt a bit shocked simply because of where my intentions lie. Be assured…I’d rather be guilty of inflicting “the faithful wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6) than to offer a “deceitful kiss as an enemy” for the sake of being liked and avoiding strife. I don’t speak about this subject for ANY reason than to communicate what I believe is truth, the only loving thing I can see to do. There is no condemnation except what one may find in discovering the facts.

Additionally, in discussing the issue of public school, though it may seem so, I am not “against” the individuals–schools, teachers, administers–who make up the real arenas. (I’m related to many of them and love them dearly!) It’s the system–a long-standing agenda–with which I disagree. I pray you hear my heart.

I will be writing several more posts on this topic after Christmas, when we return from Colorado (Merry Christmas to you all!!)…but the following excerpt from an article in the Washington Post is a great, thought-provoking beginning to our conversation:

“A longtime friend on the school board of one of the largest school systems in America did something that few public servants are willing to do. He took versions of his state’s high-stakes standardized math and reading tests for 10th graders, and said he’d make his scores public.

“The math section had 60 questions. I knew the answers to none of them, but managed to guess ten out of the 60 correctly. On the reading test, I got 62% . In our system, that’s a “D”, and would get me a mandatory assignment to a double block of reading instruction.

It seems to me something is seriously wrong. I have a bachelor of science degree, two masters degrees, and 15 credit hours toward a doctorate.

“I help oversee an organization with 22,000 employees and a $3 billion operations and capital budget, and am able to make sense of complex data related to those responsibilities.

A test that can determine a student’s future life chances should surely relate in some practical way to the requirements of life.”

When an Adult Took Standardized Tests…

Training Children: The Life Work

Last week I posted a quote about child training that I promised to expound on a bit…

“The parent’s part is to train them for life, to send them out of the home ready for whatever duty or mission God may have ready for them….What we want to do with our children is not merely to control them and keep them in order, but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christlike beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle and for duty. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior, is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws, and the parents’ lives are of more moment than their teachings.”

It has grieved me more and more to realize that, as a result of a number of factors, I think parents–even Christian parents, are largely unaware of their purpose. Too often children can be seen ruling over parents as the parents strive, the best they can, to maintain some control, but really feeling helpless to the manipulation, dreading certain circumstances where the lack of control is made obvious.

I bumped into acquaintances recently at the grocery store. A mom, dad and their two-year-old. With barely our hellos exchanged, Mom said, “We’re just trying to get through this with her. She’s the child you hear screaming through the store. We’ve tried bribing her, we’ve tried threatening her, nothing works.” I know the girl enough to know that nothing is wrong with her. She’s a normal little toddler exerting her will. I’ve also observed the “problem”. A new set of parents, enamored with her antics, allowing her to rule the home. A misunderstanding of the privilege of growing her to maturity, helping her discover the safety of authority and the necessity of self control.

From our distorted sense of “why” we are given children (they are actually not for us, but for Him) to a society driven by self-indulgence, this generation seems largely unprepared to bring up responsible, mature children who will become responsible, mature adults. And that’s just the beginning for believers who are also instructed to bring up children who will live fully for Him, reflecting His character in all they do.

I just want to encourage you with a few practical words if you are a struggling parent.

• Do not get confused about what authority is and isn’t. So much new-age parenting (and yes, it exists in Christian teaching) forsakes the wisdom of Scripture and teaches that a parent doesn’t have a “right” to claim authority or to require obedience. That is simply a lie and will destroy a child.

• Authority is established EARLY. I have said, “the battle is won or lost in the high chair”. My eight month old is beginning to test the boundaries around him. It seems like a little thing, but when he squeals in anger because I don’t get the spoon to his mouth fast enough, it’s an opportunity for me to help him begin to understand self-control. I can pause, tell him “no” with a calm but serious tone (he gets it!) or, I can do the easy thing and give him what he wants as quickly as possible, laughing at his “cuteness”. But that cuteness will turn ugly fast and soon I’ll find myself in a grocery store line blushing because he’s using the same tactic to get what he wants there, only louder. Yes, from the time they are born, we move them forward; it’s our job to “grow them up” in a thousand ways.

• Don’t flippantly tell a little one to do something that you aren’t prepared to see accomplished. If you don’t really care if they pick up the toy, don’t ask them to. If you do care, make sure they obey when they are told.

• If you are getting angry at your child it’s most likely because you are not requiring obedience. Tell them clearly, get them to answer you so there’s no question whether they heard you, then follow through the first time if there is disobedience.

• Understand that your diligence or lack thereof has huge implications for the “success” of your children. The degree to which you help them develop self-control and self-governance and respect for authority, will enable them to be better husbands and wives, friends, employers, employees, and children of God. Yours is a grave responsibility if you have been given children!

“Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18

Training Children: The Importance of Home Influence

The parent’s part is to train them for life, to send them out of the home ready for whatever duty or mission God may have ready for them….What we want to do with our children is not merely to control them and keep them in order, but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christlike beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle and for duty. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior, is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws, and the parents’ lives are of more moment than their teachings.

-J.R. Miller, Homemaking

More thoughts on this quote coming up!

Drum Roll Please for the VF Winners!

So many entries and so few winners! I literally get butterflies in my stomach every time I pick winners for a contest like this. Silly, maybe, but I so want everyone to win….so, I always just pray before the contest and specifically ask the Lord to order the “random numbers” according to His will, that the recipient may be blessed in perfect Providence.

(For the record, because there were 3 prizes and different criteria for the first prize, the drawing was quite complicated and took me over an hour to ensure statistical integrity and accuracy in the odds )

I did no less for this contest and am pleased to announce the three winners of the $300, $200 and $100 gift certificates to Vision Forum!

The winner of the $100 GC is: Anastasia!

The winner of the $200 GC is: Genieve from A Lily Slowly Blooming!

AND….the winner of the $300 GC is: Crystal from A Well-Feathered Nest!

Congratulations!!! If you ladies can email me your mailing addresses through my contact form that would be most helpful.

I am so thrilled for you three and pray the Lord uses theses resources to bless you and whomever else they touch!

Get the Courageous Movie Family Pack on Sale!

For FIVE DAYS ONLY, get 30% off the Courageous Movie Family Pack!

I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I. can’t. wait. I’ve heard such wonderful reviews and I have no doubts that this movie is moving men to be men…one of the most urgent needs of our day.

I am happy to promote the Courageous Movie Family Pack from Vision Forum (of which I am an affiliate and as noted on my sidebar, will earn a commission through any sales from this link).

Here is an excerpt from Doug Phillip’s review of Courageous:

“Upon watching Courageous, there was an overwhelming sense of experiencing something holy, special, powerful, and precious in the eyes of God. I knew I had seen something historic. Once again Stephen and Alex Kendrick have modeled for families and filmmakers that the message, and the means of creating a film, can be done outside of Hollywood, with great integrity and using the resources of the people of God, without sacrificing the quality of the project.”
—Doug Phillips

In a culture where there is a dearth of high-quality, Christian films, this is one, practical thing we can do to promote the production of God-honoring entertainment.

The Movie Pack includes:

Courageous Novel •The Resolution for Men •The Resolution Covenant—8” x 10” frame ready print •Manly Friendships (2 CDs) •A Passion for Courageous Fatherhood (DVD)

Ask the Lord if your family should start a “Courageous fire”, sharing these resources with your church, neighborhood or community, being a source of encouragement and growth for the young men around you!

Offer ends at midnight, October 8th.

Get the Movie pack now!

Homemaker: Part 2

Today’s post is over at Raising Homemakers!

“In a nutshell, home once was, and I believe should still be, a center of productivity. In essence, we should be making stuff–all kinds of stuff! One of the greatest fulfillments belonging to a person, particularly a woman, is that of creation. For when we create, we reflect the image of our Creator, and that reflection points the world to Him….

So, what does a productive home look like? I can only offer a glimpse, because your gifts and talents will vary from another’s, and there is too vast array of activities to mention. But depending on your strengths and interests, it could include (though not limited to) a number of the things below:”

Finish reading “Why Would I Want to be a Homemaker: Part 2″