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Creation-Based Science and Home Education: Stand Strong

03.11.2010

A 2nd response to the AP story "Top Home-School Texts Dismiss Darwin, Evolution," by Dylan Lovan, March 6, 2010

March 10, 2010

By:
Davis Carman
President / Owner
Apologia Educational Ministries
--
The creation-versus-evolution debate rages on. On March 6, 2010, the Associated Press released an article by Dylan Lovan entitled "Top Home-School Texts Dismiss Darwin, Evolution." The story begins with homeschoolers surprised to find Christian textbooks teach a creationist viewpoint, then continued with evolutionary biologists who say such books are "promulgating lies to kids." It didn't take long for the discussion to spread like wildfire.

On March 8, I released an initial response to address some aspects of the AP article. Over the next forty-eight hours, Apologia responded to e-mails and phone calls related to this story. I participated in interviews for newspapers and radio, and discussions ensued on Facebook and other Internet forums.

While watching CNN Headline News present their angle on the story, I tracked a poll on MSNBC that was headed down the same path. The big concern of these news organizations is summed up in the survey question of their polls. The MSNBC poll asked, "Is it OK for home-school textbooks to dismiss the theory of evolution?" The CNN poll asked, "Should home-schools be more regulated?" Although couched in terms of the creation-versus-evolution debate, the tone of the stories suggest that the greater concern is that homeschoolers are exercising their educational freedom and, in the opinion of the talking heads, abusing this right by depriving their children of the science education available in our public schools. Ironically, one of the stories that soon followed on this televised broadcast was titled "American Schools in Crisis."

This story is certainly about creation-versus-evolution, but it is also about educational freedom.

I serve on the board of North Carolinians for Home Education. Part of our mission is to protect the family's right to homeschool. Many families blazed the trail as homeschool pioneers back in the 1980s. Some were threatened with jail, and legal battles were fought. Today, laws exist in all fifty states protecting the right to home-educate. The number of families choosing this option has been on the rise for three decades, and homeschooling is no longer the "fringe" movement it was in the past.

Three decades worth of academic research has established the effectiveness of home education. Dr. Brian Ray, of the National Home Education Research Institute, conducted a study on academic achievement in 2009. He found that homeschoolers scored 34 to 39 percentile points higher than public school children.

What's more, homeschooling families are active participants in civic life. Sociologists Christian Smith and David Sikkink found homeschoolers are "significantly more likely than public schoolers to participate in public life through a broad array of civic activities-even when we statistically remove the possible effects of seven other potentially related social factors. In other words, there appears to be something particular about religious private schooling and home schooling in and of themselves that increases families' participation in mostly non-school-related civic activities in the public square."

Another study found that an astounding 95 percent of 25- to 39-year-old homeschool graduates voted in a national or state election compared to only 40 percent of their non-homeschooled peers. For 18- to 24-year-olds, the voting rates were 76 percent for homeschoolers versus 29 percent for non-homeschoolers. Homeschoolers are citizens who participate in the political process.

Yet the battle for educational freedom is not over. As a matter of fact, it's heating up.

The current skirmish is over whether homeschools should be regulated the same way as public schools. The proposed forms of regulation range from setting teacher certification requirements for parents to establishing an approved list of curriculum providers, while others advocate the outright banning of this parental right. In the case of the AP story, the question raised is whether the government needs to police the content of science textbooks used in the home. But are the critics of homeschooling really interested in making sure we include the Darwinian notion that single-celled organisms evolved into more complex life forms over millions of years, or do they want to make sure we remove the whole concept of creation from our homes?

I think it can be helpful to consider that there are appropriate places for regulations. I'm glad that certain standards are legally required of public restaurants. Everyone would like the food they eat to be safe. Yet why are there so many regulations and standards for public restaurants, but not for people feeding their kids at home? Because no one wants Big Brother to tell them how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich according to a government-outlined procedure. Public schools are to public dining as home schools are to home dining.

The existence of God and the reliability of the Bible are fundamental Christian beliefs. Studies show that a very high percentage of homeschooled children retain the faith of their parents, a statistic distasteful to the opponents of homeschooling. God was successfully removed from the public schools half a century ago, and critics see no reason why He should not be removed from home schools, too. The battle is over the hearts and minds of our children. Will we remain faithful to diligently train them to know and love God with all their heart, mind, body, and soul? This is a battle worth fighting.

This weekend, we will be hosting the second annual Apologia Live conferences for homeschooling moms in Baltimore. The theme is "Standing Strong," based on Joshua 1:8-9. Homeschooling is hard enough without having to deal with pressure from the media. Moms and dads need to be affirmed, encouraged, challenged, and inspired to persevere in this adventure of a lifetime. Our speakers will remind attendees to stand strong in their marriage, with their teens, when they are weak, in prayer, for His glory, and because God is for us. The journey may be difficult at times, but the destination — faithful children and close family relationships — is worth it.

Apologia's mission is to help not just the homeschooling mom, but the entire family learn, live, and defend the Christian faith. I encourage every homeschooling family to rededicate themselves to stand strong in these efforts. Together, we are fighting for the freedom to homeschool, to teach creation-based science, and to approach all subjects from a Christ-centered biblical worldview. Generational faithfulness and living out God's design for the family can be the best apologia, or defense, of the Christian faith the world has seen or heard.

When Jesus left heaven to walk among us in the flesh, He came in grace and truth. Christians know that every human being is made in the image of God and therefore is made for fellowship with his or her Creator. I pray that we will continue to give an answer for the hope that lies within us, doing so with gentleness and respect, praying that the skeptics will face the truth and be reconciled with their Maker.

In parting, I want to say "thank you" to all our loyal customers and supporters. Your kind e-mails and online posts have been an encouragement to the entire Apologia staff and family. Here are just a few of the many messages we have received from Apologia users:

"[My daughter] took your Apologia Biology course and learned a lot of important skills for her move to college and beyond. She is finishing up her bachelor's degree and has recently been accepted into Johns Hopkins Medical to complete her degree in Developmental Biology as well as receiving a handsome internship. She wants to go into genetic research."

"As a female agricultural engineer graduate, I have found Apologia's curriculum to be extremely beneficial in preparing our children for college level studies."

"We are using Apologia Biology and she has learned about micro-evolution and macro-evolution. I wish people would research and truly report both sides!"

"My children love Apologia. We are currently studying Exploring Creation with Zoology 2. Even my four-year-old listens and enjoys. Hopefully my children will see both sides of the debate because only then will they be prepared to defend their faith."

"We are using Apologia in our homeschool co-op and this stuff is very challenging for the kids. It teaches real concepts based on truth, and we love it."

"Apologia is definitely my first choice for high school science curriculum!"

You can read more at www.apologia.com/news.php or you can continue to follow the discussion at www.facebook.com/apologiaworld.

Standing Strong,
Davis Carman
President / Owner
Apologia Educational Ministries