In regard to the home school debate that has been taking place in this paper over the last few weeks, we would simply observe that in our estimation the major flash point that separates the home school and public school "camps" is largely one of values – and, more specifically, WHO has the rightful authority to dictate values to our children.

Though we cannot attest for all homeschoolers, we know for many parents that have chosen the home school route for their children the following four values are of utmost importance. (1) Above all, we value God and thus believe the most important educational "subject" on the docket is to share with our children the good news about Him and what He has done for us, (2) we value a learning environment where the teacher’s authority does not play second fiddle to the rebellious student’s supposed "right" to act out in anger or to openly defy or mock his teacher, (3) we value sexual purity for our children, and (4) we value a learning environment that is free of pressures to embrace a lifestyle of violence or alcohol/drug abuse.

Having never had a child enrolled in a local public school, we cannot (and DO NOT) accuse any of our local public schools of fostering a climate of godlessness, sexual promiscuity, classroom anarchy, violence, or drug/alcohol abuse.

However, we can say with confidence that on a national or societal level all of these things are indeed being fostered not only in public schools but in nearly every aspect of life. As a result, we and others in the homeschool crowd have chosen to assume personal control over our children’s education so as to better ensure that they will grow up in a climate that promotes, rather than rejects or scorns, the values we hold most dear. So the questions we ask those of you who so vehemently object to us doing so – aren’t you really objecting to the notion of we as parents, and not the state, having control over our own children and their education?

Jim & Lisa Smith
Harrisonburg