Some products that promise good results offer as proof before and after pictures. While we are in the trenches, educating our children, we really can’t tell how they will turn out. I can’t make any promises and results may vary, but I am able to tell you a little bit about the before and after of homeschooling and Christian education.

When my wife and I decided to homeschool back in the early 80’s we were afraid that the government might take our kids away from us if any one found out. We were both educated at “good” schools in the public school system. Once we came to Christ it became apparent that most of what we had learned up to that point was wrong. We were committed to providing a Christian education to our children. We weighed the risks and decided that we were charged by God to teach them about Him in all things no matter what the government said. A quarter of a century later, as we watch our children prosper because of their Christian education we have no regrets. Neither do our kids. In fact, since they have been out on their own and working among their public educated peers, they have each, independently, thanked us. They realize they have advantages in the marketplace as a result.

Two quick anecdotes.
When we first home schooled our oldest, my step mother decided to stop by unannounced one day. This was our worst fear. She had been my fourth grade teacher (she married my dad anyway) and had been a public school teacher until retirement. Once she got over the initial shock and looked over the CLASS materials she became our greatest supporter. She told me that one of the reasons she decided to retire was because they were not allowed to use materials like we were using and she saw the decline in the results.

Fast forward… youngest approaching college. We asked a friend from church, who was a guidance counselor for one of the better and larger public high schools in our area for help. She said she would be happy to try to help us but was afraid that since he did not attend an accredited public school (she meant “real” school) she was not sure how much help she could be. After seeing his ACT and SAT scores and meeting him she couldn’t believe it. Apparently public school counselors are generally informed that Christian Schools are inferior to public schools. With her help, and transcripts from Christian Liberty Academy, he received several scholarship offers from excellent engineering programs. (I was happy to save $100,000.00 or so). Some time later, after meeting other students like our son, her husband (himself a retired guidance counselor) took me aside and admitted they had no idea that they could be so wrong about Christian education.

The beginning of wisdom is a fear of the Lord. Ps 111:10. The public school system can only give some knowledge. Since they cannot instill a fear of, or respect for, God, the knowledge they give cannot lead to wisdom. It leads to foolishness.

Hang in there home schooler, you have chosen wisely.

One Response to “Before and After”

1. KMPrice says:

   January 28, 2010 at 12:34 am

   Thanks Mr. Hovde. I’m 52 now and wish I had been home schooled. My own mother wishes the same, and is fully supportive of our home schooling our two boys.

   KMPrice