The Truth About Public Schools: Christians Speak Out

MASTON COLLOQUIUM STATEMENT

The Truth About Public Schools: Christians Speak Out

(This is a statement made by participants in the Maston Colloquium. Their names are affixed, together with those of others who have identified with it. Convened by the Center for Christian Ethics on September 12, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, the Colloquium name honors Dr. T.B. Maston for his pioneering work in Christian ethics as a teacher, writer and prophet.)

The crisis in public education may well be the most important issue of our time.

Although American public education today is more successful than it ever has been in its history, the frenzied bashing of the public schools has obscured the facts of the case.

Fact The dropout rate last year was only 11%, the lowest in the history of public education. This was the eleventh consecutive year that the dropout rate has declined.

Fact At the same time, test scores of the students in public schools have risen for three consecutive years, despite the fact that the U.S. ranks 14th among the 16 major industrial nations in the world in spending per student for public education.

Fact American public schools graduate a higher percentage of students from high school, send a higher percentage to college, and graduate a higher percentage from college than any other country in the world. This is a tribute to the dedication of our public school teachers and other educators who far too often are the targets of unjustified political bashing.

Fact A majority of those teachers and other educators under assault are faithful church members, Sunday School teachers, and members of our own families. Indeed, the historical record shows that Christians, who were largely responsible for the creation and support of public education, are still intimately involved in it every day.

Why should we be stingy in support of and apologetic about this plainly worthy public school system? After all, our greatest national resource has been and still is our young people. Last year 43.5 million boys and girls were enrolled in our public schools, the largest number in our history. Every generation requires a shared experience. Where else could Genuine patriotism calls for strengthening, not weakening, public education. We retrench at the nation’s peril. Only one generation of retreat would destroy this priceless resource that binds us together as a people.

Genuine patriotism calls for strengthening, not weakening, public education. We retrench at the nation’s peril. Only one generation of retreat would destroy this priceless resource that binds us together as a people.

As concerned Christians, we commend the churches, businesses, unions, civic clubs, volunteers, and most importantly the parents who are involved in positive support of the public schools. We applaud those congregations who provide training for volunteers, after-school activities for latch-key kids, supervised study, mentoring by senior citizens, and encouragement for parents to become involved in the education of their children. We affirm those public school backers who vigilantly monitor and report the voting records of legislators, school boards, and other elected public officials.

We believe in the public schools. We repudiate the slanderous attacks that are being made on them. We believe in public money for public schools and private money for private schools. We call on fellow Christians to enlist in a truthful and vigorous battle for the future of our youth.

Drafters of the Statement:

• Sarah Frances Anders, Professor of Sociology Emeritus, Louisiana College, Pineville, Louisiana
• James M. Dunn, Executive Director, Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Washington, D.C.
• Edwin S. Gaustad, Historian, Author, and Lecturer, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Franldin H. Littell, Historian, Author, and Lecturer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Richard V. Pierard, Professor of History, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
• Kenneth D. Thomas, Career Public School Teacher and Administrator, Dallas, Texas
• Frosty Troy, Editor, The Oklahoma Observer, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Foy Valentine, President, The Center for Christian Ethics, Dallas, Texas

Other Signers:

• Jimmy R. Allen, Chaplain, Big Canoe, Georgia Patricia Ayres, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Austin, Texas
• John Leland Berg, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Meridian, Mississippi
• Tony Campolo, Evangelical Author and Preacher, St. Davids, Pennsylvania
• Derek H. Davis, Director, J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
• Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director, Presbyterian Church USA Washington Office, Washington, D.C.
• Stan Hastey, Executive Director, Alliance of Baptists, Washington, D.C.
• E. Glenn Hinson, Professor of Spirituality and John F. Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia
• Leonard L. Holloway, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Kerrville, Texas
• Bill J. Leonard, Chair, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Samford University; Birmingham, Alabama
• Timothy A. McElwee, Director, Church of the Brethren, Washington Office, Washington, D.C.
• Darold H. Morgan, Dallas, Texas
• Keith Parks, Global Missions Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Atlanta, Georgia
• Albert M. Pennybacker, President, Ecumenical Development Initiative of the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, New York, New York
• Tyrone S. Pitts, General Secretary, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., Washington, D.C.
• Cecil Sherman, Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Atlanta, Georgia
• Phil Strickland, Director, Christian Life Commission, Dallas, Texas
• Herbert R. Reynolds, Chancellor, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
• W.David Sapp, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Richmond, Virginia
• Oliver S. Thomas, Special Counsel for Civil and Religious Liberties, National Council of Churches of Christ, New York, New York
• Daniel Vestal, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Houston, Texas
• Allen Walworth, Trustee, The Center for Christian Ethics, Dallas, Texas

[Positions are provided for identification purposes only.]

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