The rapid growth of a Florida homeschool voucher initiative says less about its actual popularity than it does about the state’s efforts to undercut public schools, faith leader and education advocate Rachel Gunter Shapard said. “Why is it that we…
‘The pulpit and the people must see it as our duty and divine calling to condemn the privatization and commodification of public education’
Universal education cannot be protected without grassroots movements led by people of faith, a Florida minister said during the inaugural Pastors for Children national conference. “The pulpit and the people must see it as our duty and divine calling to…
State leaders of Pastors for Children gather to strategize on protecting public education
The first national conference of Pastors for Children was a spiritual and emotional shot in the arm for the organizers of its nine state chapters. “It is inspiring to know the fight we’re facing in North Carolina is happening nationwide…
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…
Diane Ravitch wants you to think of public schools like police or fire departments
Diane Ravitch wants you to think about this scenario: Imagine your community with two or three fire departments with different resources and you have to choose which one to call when your house catches fire. Or imagine your community with…
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,”…
Religious coalition opposes more coronavirus relief for private schools
A broad coalition of religious groups, including three Baptist organizations, has asked the U.S. Senate to avoid using public education dollars to help private schools in the next round of coronavirus relief legislation. The Senate GOP’s HEALS Act would provide…
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…