All 5 million schoolchildren in Texas should be eligible to attend private or charter schools using government funds, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 9. Abbott’s public advocacy for a plan even his conservative allies have opposed drew an immediate…
Americans must ‘change the narrative’ on public schools, panelists urge
Concerned Americans — including people of faith — must “change the narrative of how things are going” in the debate over public education, according to a veteran educator who recently resigned as superintendent of a top-rated Texas school district. “Let’s…
Who do you say that I am: ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ’?
“Jesus Christ, Superstar, do you think you’re what they say you are?” A memorable lyric from the 1971 Broadway musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. And also a poignant question for today as American Christians seem to gravitate…
Texas Baptist Congressman attacks public school advocacy group on Twitter
A Southern Baptist Congressman from Texas has taken to Twitter to attack a group of Texas pastors advocating for public education. Chip Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st Congressional district, is a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin. Hyde…
The new secretary of education should listen to our teachers
Much of a pastor’s ministry happens in “behind-the-scenes” moments of pastoral care, and much of that care involves deep listening. Listening carefully and intently is a learned skill for many extroverted pastors like myself. But, especially in this moment of…
What will happen in public education with a Biden administration?
With the impending change of administrations in Washington, public education advocates across the country have taken to social media to express their joy in the inevitable departure of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. As one of the most consistently…
Churches want to help schools but aren’t sure what’s best this year
The coronavirus is forcing public schools to rethink how they will educate students this fall which, in turn, is forcing churches to rethink how they will minister to neighborhood schools. “We’re having to find ways to think outside the box,”…
Why should private religious schools be exempt from health mandates?
The ink was hardly dry on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s authorization for local health authorities to determine in-person school reopening this fall when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared that religious schools would be exempt from any such restrictions. In…
Private school vouchers as civil rights? Baloney!
The White House is requesting that a portion of the next stimulus bill be used for private school scholarships, including religious schools. They argue this must happen because of racial inequity in the public school system. The Trump Administration is…