Page 24 - The Standard Volume 4

TIPS FOR BEING A
CHRISTIAN WITNESS
FOR YOUR CHILD IN A PUBLIC EDUCATION SETTING
K. Stanley Brooks
If education is a business, what is the business of education? What are they in the business of producing? How are public, private and charter schools funded? What do you believe is the purpose of their existence? What is the purpose of public education? Most educational institutions in the United States were originally meant for those of wealth and status in positions of power and influence. One of their intentions was to maintain a pipeline of individuals who think like them and fit into their perspective. Traditionally, anything outside of this limited view is unwelcome. There are many landmark cases in the United States, but very few have the impact that the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (Kansas) has had since 1954. This court case was supposed to racially desegregate schools in the country, but the impending costs were devastating for those without wealth and superficial status. Without going too far down that winding road, I encourage you to understand why so many private schools were established during this time for a comprehensive context.
We are now in a time where some believe that you have a right to access adequate education, but not a right to have an effective teacher. What thoughts raise for you here? Feel free to research how Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page is challenging the Minnesota Constitution to adopt new language which communicates that each student deserves a quality education. This should make you wonder, why is this even a question in the first place about each child deserving a stellar educational foundation? How is this relevant to this discussion of being a Christian witness in public schools? It’s important to understand how education is
connected to home ownership, employment (entrepreneurship), health access and law enforcement (policy). In addition, the history reveals that education is something that many underrepresented groups fought for with their lives, hoping their children would have a brighter future that they could only imagine. To truly understand the dynamics of education, one must understand how they are intertwined. In brief, I fully recognize that the following example may seem oversimplified and general. However, I still submit to the reader that a quality education (depending on your definition):
• Is directly linked to a person’s vision of how they would like to add value to their collective communities through one’s gifts and skills
• Has a direct correlation with a person’s ability to be gainfully employed
• Increases a person’s options for home ownership in a community they desire
• Strengthens a person’s sense of civic engagement and involvement
• Provides options for quality healthcare
The rationale for this exhaustive introduction is to first have the reader define a successful education for their child. Secondly, it’s our recommendation that whatever definition you finalize is filtered through Scripture. For example, Daniel is a consistent marker of someone who operated with an excellent spirit. It’s clear that Daniel encompassed the following:
24 THE STANDARD | June 2022