Public Education: Born on the Fourth of July, 2020 Medley #14
Independence Day is a good time to explore the thoughts about public education expressed by the Founders. This year, we have witnessed the weakening of America’s public education system with the latest SCOTUS ruling on Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue — a decision that will divert even more public funds to religious institutions in addition to weakening the concept of church-state separation.
First, let’s hear from the Edu-blogosphere. The writers of each of the following posts have several concerns. First, by allowing public tax dollars to go to religious institutions, the state (here, with the permission of the federal judiciary) is “forcing” citizens to pay for religious instruction…to pay for religion. As Ben Franklin wrote…
When a Religion is good, I conceive that it will support itself; and when it cannot support itself, and God does not take care to support, so that its Professors are oblig’d to call for the help of the Civil Power, ’tis a Sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.
Second, vouchers divert money from and damage public education.
Third, if governments provide money for religious schools, those funds ought to come with government restrictions — the same as the restrictions imposed on public schools. If it is illegal for public schools to discriminate in hiring when CONTINUE READING: Public Education: Born on the Fourth of July, 2020 Medley #14 | Live Long and Prosper
