Public / Social Philosophy

What Principles do You Live By?

03/2020

John Lord, a historian of the late 19th century, in his chapter on the Greek war for independence says, "Men are nothing; principles [of life] are everything." In context, Lord was speaking of war, but I see a challenge to think of this statement in light of the Corona virus (CV19). Read More...

Must We Eat the King's Food?

07/2019

Must College Preparatory goals secularize a Christian school's mission? Read More...

Faith, Family and the Achievement Gap

05/2016

According to studies by renowned family and education scholar and prolific author William Jeynes, studies resoundingly show that faith and family involvement do more to close the black and hispanic achievement gap than any other efforts. Read More...

The Bedrock of Moral Integrity

06/2015

An AFP article notes that during her husband's inauguration as Nigeria's president, the new First Lady wore what appeared to be a $50,000 Cartier wrist watch. This may not have stirred the attention it has received except that the country is impoverished, graft is rampant, and her husband ran on a platform to raise the integrity of public officials. While the people of Nigeria work this through, it serves as a reminder that Christian schools play and important role in supporting the morality of Christians and citizens - no small concern… Read More...

The Personal Side of Education

06/2015

Today, Ravitch commented on the writings of Ellen Booth Church, an educator, renowned children's book author (the I Spy series, etc.) who recently wrote, "All learning is social-emotional learning. Children do not learn skills in isolation but through social connection and interconnection to the real world—their world." I agree! We are dealing with "people" and not just "brains." Thus, who should do better at running socially and emotionally healthy classrooms? The Church and other private parties or the government? Read More...

Education Models and the Public Good

06/2015

Dr. Diane Ravitch wrote today that people already have "school choice" because they can go to any school they want to if they pay for it. I agree (to some degree!). She goes on to argue that public money should be reserved for the "public schools" because they support the public good. Here is where I differ… Read More...

Trust Parents or the Education Elite?

06/2015

Education blogger Peter Greene recently criticized Nevada's school voucher plan as a "race to the bottom of the barrel for public education." What he had to say rang true with Diane Ravitche because most of her blog post was either a quote and an endorsement of what he said. I will continue the discussion by saying they are both wrong! Their perspective doesn't seem to be able to get far from their own monolithic thinking about the best schools for ALL children and the selfish character of those who think differently. Here is my response… Read More...

Prejudice isn't All!

05/2015

The net has been hot with comments about the white private school founder and principal who lost her cool when she closed the graduation ceremony before the Valedictorian gave the final address. Perhaps the short story should stand as it is… but hopefully, the story will continue with reflection upon the forces that pushed the principal over her "brink." Read More...

Reason or Trust?

02/2015

We all want to be reasonable, but is this a realistic goal? I argue that trust is an equal (if underrated) social value. Read More...

Education isn't Just for Kids

01/2015

Christian education is not just a concern for those with children, it should be a concern for those of all ages. Read More...

The "Best" of School Choice

02/2013

In this economy, perhaps the most pervasive argument against school choice is that “it will drain money from the public schools and hurt children most in need of state help.” What do I say to that? Read More...

Modern or Postmodern Christian School?

11/2012

Many Christian schools claim to provide a “Christian” education, but what does this mean? Modernity divided life into sacred and secular realms; can we bring them together again?

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Community School?

08/2012

Deeply shared beliefs, values, and goals provide the nuclei around which communities form. Secular common schools, because they intentionally avoid addressing these beliefs and values, are intrinsically hampered in their efforts to build community. However, why do our Christian schools merely model their community expectations from the secular? Should not Christian schools provide a model for the world?

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Faith in Public

02/2012

Recently, a Christian was dismissed from Easter Michigan State University because she requested to not counsel a gay client. What does this case say about the presumed relevance of religion and how should the public respond?

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Optimistic About the Arab Spring? Why?

10/2011

With what is becoming called the “Arab Spring,” Americans and other Westerners have a tendency to place hope in any uprising against totalitarian powers. But as Christians, should we?

This first response of optimism is not really “Christian,” it is actually secular and reflects the ideals and presumptions of “modernity.”

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Goal of Christian Education

09/2011

Christian schools often look little different from their secular school counterparts. In this post, I propose an education model built around the great commandments to love God and our neighbors.

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In Search of the "Good Society"

09/2011

Peace and prosperity are generally illusive goals for most societies. What are the supports of the “good society”? I argue that they are more indebted to the efforts and values of families than to the efforts of government. If so, what key implications does this have upon public policy?

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California's SB48 (called F.A.I.R. Act) & Secular Ed.

07/2011

Regarding California’s SB48: The “common” paradigm of public education leads to diverse (and often offensive) educational requirements. A “plural” education paradigm avoids offense and strengthens educational outcomes.

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