The state of our education

I have strong opinions about the state of Adventist education. I may have gotten on this soapbox before, but it is bugging me again, so I have to get it out.

At church outing last month, the education superintendent stood before the evening gathering and proudly proclaimed that according to the Cognitive Genesis study being done by La Sierra University, students who attend SDA schools obtain a one-half grade advantage over their public school peers. There was much cheering and clapping over this "good news." However, I was very disgusted and walked out. Why? Because there was a time when SDA schools were greatly academically superior to public education counterparts.

There's a book out in SDA circles called "How to Kill Adventist Education." The author, Shane Anderson opens one chapter with, "No, not all of our schools are poor quality! But enough are that we must consider them a significant part of the challenge facing Adventist Education." Later on he asks if academics should be a concern for SDA schools and answers himself with a great big yes. Mr. Anderson states that even though Adventist education is superior, "we may be aiming too low." (He even put that statement into italics.) And, not only does Adventist education need to exceed public school education, "we must put considerable academic daylight between them and us." (And that is in italics, also). He comes to the conclusion that while Adventist education is superior, he reports that it is "not by enough."

I certainly agree. At the church outing report, the superintendent was touting the 1/2 grade advantage, I thought of our own local schools, "My Town SDA School" and "Near by SDA High School" where Church Outing takes place. Would I send my kids there? Not by a long shot. Test scores are low, books are old, outdated and a hodgepodge curriculum is being used. Is there a 1/2 grade advantage there? Not according to a close, Adventist, homeschooling friend of mine who actually found test scores for "My Town SDA School" and saw they were below the national standard. Later, she turned down a job which would have required her to send her boys to that school. (As a side note, her oldest is starting PSEO classes at a local community college after he was "enthusiastically" accepted by a thrilled admissions counselor. His test scores were excellent - and he's been homeschooled all but two years, and those two years were at a non-denominational school using a top-rated, current curriculum.

And, in case if you are wondering if this young man has strong Adventist roots, you better believe it! His love for the Lord is burning strong. He has a passion for mission service and has done much to share his passion with others.

Why this soapbox? Because I got received this statement from the conference's superintendent last night, "....it's time to prayerfully consider Adventist education for your child for the coming year!!!! It's an investment in eternity!"

My comment to her would have been, "There is nothing better than a parent guiding his or her child to the throne of God through an excellent Christ-centered, at home- education."

I stand my thesis that states the best academic and spiritually sound schools are those with
* a one-publisher curriculum (all textbooks come from a single publisher)
* a committed, and stable staff (staff committed to their jobs and stay put - they become pillars of their school and community and generations of children come to look forward to learning from them.)
* a strong uniform policy/discipline policy, with a zero tolerance for discipline issues.
*strong parent/teacher/student relationship.