I often find myself in situations where I’m the lone advocate for a particular ideal. At Republican functions, I’m usually the only Democrat. If I’m at a gathering of Democrats, I’m often the only one who will speak in favor of education reform.
When I attend education events with like-minded Democrats, I advocate for vouchers and, later that evening, buy my own drinks at happy hour.So it should surprise no one that I attended a summit, hosted by the American Center for School Choice, where the audience consisted of faith-based education leaders from all over the country.
I am not religious. In fact, I have been known to reject the whole idea of organized spirituality and have, on more than one occasion, championed doubt and reason instead. I’ve even quoted Bill Maher who once denounced faith because it “makes a virtue out of not thinking.”
Yet there I was, amidst faith-based leaders, discussing the excellent work they do with children and schools. At several points in the discussion we lamented that, in some areas, this work is being threatened. Whether due to the growing numbers of charter schools or rising tuition rates, enrollment in religious schools is down and some schools are even being forced to close.
This is tragic for many neighborhoods where there is no secular solution to take its place.
No wonder then that many leaders are eager to see tax-credit scholarship and voucher programs come to their neck of the woods. When discussion centered on ways to garner public support for such programs, I eagerly listened to their ideas.
But the ensuing discussion was disappointing. They wanted to focus on statistics, parent empowerment and the importance of teaching God-given morals and values in a setting that isn’t allowed in secular or public schools.
While persuasive to many in the room, those arguments simply won’t work with much of the larger public. So I took a deep breath and raised my hand.
I told them the message about religious schools needed to change. Such schools should focus on issues that unite us. I urged them to talk about the kids from undervalued neighborhoods who attend their schools, go on to graduate and earn college degrees in record numbers. Focus on the reality that faith-based schools are part of public education and contribute to the common good. They make a substantial investment in the public sector.
Yes, statistics and numbers are great, but parents are even better.
I urged them to go back to their schools and find students who have been saved from death or jail because their parents chose a faith-based school. These students are not getting pregnant at young ages, they are not committing crimes, and they are not a drain on an already-weakened social service system. They are thriving, and it’s hard to argue with empowered parents when you see and hear their amazing stories.
How do lawmakers not know they have faith-based schools in their districts? These schools are everywhere. School leaders must gather up their most passionate parents and take these good folks to visit their legislators. Let opponents try and talk about the Blaine Amendment to a parent whose son was closed off emotionally and being bullied in his neighborhood school, but is now thriving in a private school, playing sports and making honor roll.
Religious schools are educating thousands of children effectively. It’s no one’s fault but their own if few people know about it.
One of the orthodox rabbis in attendance raised his hand and smiled at me. “To my secular friend,” he said, “I would argue that it’s just as powerful to talk about the rights of parents to choose a school that teaches values reinforced at home.”
He’s right. That’s quite a powerful argument. To people who share his faith. But the faith-based community already supports the idea that these schools are needed.
Secularists can be persuaded too, with the right information. Show them a faith-based education saves kids’ lives and opens up a brighter future with better options. Introduce them to kids who are thriving because of these teachers, administrators, and schools.
This kind of evidence supports reason – and wipes away doubt.
They should try focusing on that argument.
After all, it worked for me.
