Comment-The Education of North Carolina

Comment

Comment: The Education of North Carolina

Family North Carolina Magazine—Nov/Dec 2006

By Bill Brooks

Education is important to individuals and families and that is why the North Carolina Family Policy Council has been involved in education issues for the last 15 years. We have addressed numerous issues including sex education, school choice, charter schools, religious freedom, evolution, parental rights, homeschools, and homosexual indoctrination. Since we have begun this effort, we have seen an increase in the number of students in charter schools, homeschools, private schools, and public schools. Along with the challenges that have accompanied this growth, other significant issues have arisen.

We have watched a tug-of-war take place over charter schools, with many in the education arena seeking to limit these public “incubators of innovation,” while others continue to advocate for removing the arbitrary 100-charter cap imposed when the initial charter school law was passed in 1996. For several years now, the cap has stifled charter school growth in North Carolina, and our state is surely missing out on many of the benefits offered to students, families, and the public school system that come from a robust charter school system. One such issue that will be addressed in many communities on election day is funding for school construction. Wake County, for one, has a $970 million bond issue on the ballot, and many other counties are struggling to find money to pay for new schools and renovations. The “education” lottery is doing little to help. Because charter schools pay for their own facilities, removing the cap could go a long way toward easing these growing pains.

Home education is growing significantly in North Carolina, but continues to be misunderstood and frowned upon by many in K-12 academia. With more than four percent of North Carolina’s school-age population being educated at home, the state should do all it can to support parents who make the sacrifices necessary to provide their children with a well-rounded and effective education. Limited educational tax credits could help reward home school families and return some of their hard-earned tax dollars, since these students reduce the burden placed on the public school system.

And sadly, we have seen homosexual activists attempt to hijack public education in order to recruit a new generation friendly to their agenda. First there was the battle over the teaching of “tolerance” and “diversity.” We have seen our public universities institute courses and entire departments to teach “queer theory” and conduct “diversity training.” Now the efforts are becoming more overt, targeted directly at recruiting students through the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs in public schools across our state with the support of national and state-based education groups. All the while, our students are falling further behind on almost every measure of academic achievement. Recent statistics from the State Department of Public Instruction indicate that North Carolina’s graduation rate is only about 65 to 70 percent. This means that one-third of North Carolina students currently in ninth grade will not complete high school within four years.

Our society is becoming less family friendly, and our education establishment is leading the way. What can we do? Educate ourselves on what is happening and get involved. Join or start a local group to monitor what your local board of education is doing and let them know what you think about the issues. Set aside a regular family time to talk about these issues. Start an education savings account for your children, so you will have options other than public education in case your children need them. Be involved in your child’s education. If you homeschool, then you are already very involved. If you send them to any other school, make sure you know the principal or headmaster, as well as their teachers and classmates. Volunteer at the school. It helps the school and gives you the opportunity to see more of what is going on and to develop the kind of relationship with school officials that will be helpful if you need to deal with an issue.

And above all, seek God’s guidance. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge . . .” In any educational endeavor, we should always look first and foremost to the Giver and Creator of knowledge.

Bill Brooks is president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council.