several recent editorials to advocate the voucher system, with $900 per school aged child being paid to the school of the familys ’choice. They see such a procedure as introducing competition into the educational pro cess, thus increasing efficiency, saving millions of dollars, giving parents, children, and teachers the choice of educational institutions, and lessen ing the probability that children will become the victims of the pet social theories of politicians. What might such a course mean to evangelical churchesP For those already operating day schools, it could well mean increased resources to offer the strongest possible school program. It would probably mean the establishment of standards for educational programs and personnel and state enforcement of those stand ards. For churches not presently op erating schools, it could mean week- long utilization of facilities presently used for brief periods during the week. Or it might make building programs essential where facilities are limited. It could well be that evangelical churches would be faced with unprecedented opportunities to minister to families through a school with a staff of teachers of full edu cational competence plus the vital spiritual factor which must be cen tral to any Christian day school wor thy of the name. In any case, pastors, lay leaders, parents, and church members of evangelical faith would be advised to keep alert to the changes in the offing so that they might be prepared to act in accordance with the Lord’s leading and with the opportunities for witness and instruction which open to us. Dr. Posegate is Associate Professor o f Religious Education at Talbot Theo logical Seminary, Graduate School o f Biola College. Page 9
make up the rich tapestry of Ameri can life. Protestants have varied greatly in their views of education. Originally, American education was established on a spiritual base. During the first half of the 19th century, a combin ation of circumstances led to the adoption of a dual system of educa tion with public schools and Sunday schools as the cooperative elements. This system was approved by most Protestants, the notable exception being those denominations which were committed to parochial schools. But during the present century, a widening gap of secularism has been evident, with a tendency to make democracy the religious basis for public education. Many parents and church leaders have determined to pay the extra support needed to de velop Christian day schools, most of which have faced a continual struggle to finance the enterprise. Diverse voices are now raised for enlarged state support for private schools. President Nixon has created an Education Commission to “study and report to the President on future revenue needs and resources of the nations’ public and non-public ele mentary and secondary schools.” Half of the eighteen itemized responsibil ities of the commission relate to non public schools. Christopher Jenks is directing a study in Cambridge, Mass., funded by the Office of Economic Opportun ity and devoted to investigation of the voucher play whereby parents would have the privilege of selection from among qualified schools the place of their childrens education. George R. Vick has suggested this course as a means of preventing the state from establishing an orthodoxy which it would impose upon stu dents in the schools. Edgar Z. Fried- enberg views private schools as a desirable element in maintaining di verse forms of education. Radio sta tion KNX of Los Angeles has devoted
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