- January 18, 2021—Education and Passing On the Faith
- January 5, 2021—Vindication for the Pardos
Education and Passing On the Faith
Education is a foundation for our state and our country.
When I began to advocate for families’ right to teach their children at home 30 years ago, I experienced a great deal of pushback from people who argued that this would not be good for students or the country.
That is completely debunked today based on many studies.
Betsy DeVos (former head of the U.S. Department of Education) recently said:
“Parents today are more aware of what their children are—or are not—learning.
“And they’re more aware of who’s standing in the way. More than ever before, they are raising their voices for more options, for more choices, for freedom.
“The need for education freedom is especially acute for kids whose government-assigned schools are refusing to open—and those families should be able to take their education dollars to schools that will.”
We have seen evidence of a mass exodus from public schools firsthand in Texas as a result of the pandemic.
This has led to a record number of families choosing the ultimate form of school choice—homeschooling.
Another major reason that many choose to homeschool their children is the desire to pass on their religious faith.
In fact, recent research has shown that a significant basis for the secularization of children is the secularization of public schools.
Part of the article states:
“Children learn more at school than reading, writing, and arithmetic. They imbibe a whole set of implied assumptions about what’s important in life.
“By excluding religious instruction from public schools, the government-run education system tacitly teaches students that religious commitments are not a first-order priority in life.
“Faith in God becomes a sort of optional weekend hobby akin to playing tennis or video games. Christ and Moses are treated by teachers and administrators like weapons or drugs—confiscated upon discovery.”
So a growing number of families are finding that they can homeschool and it is better for their children in more ways than just academics.
Vindication for the Pardos
People from all over the world came to the aid of the Pardo family last year when THSC led the legal and public relations battle to reunite their family.
Four year-old Drake, a child with special needs, was illegally taken from the family without any evidence of abuse.
We launched a months-long battle in the courts and the court of public opinion to bring justice to the family (read the details here).
CPS had dropped all charges against the family last year and told the court they were totally comfortable with Drake being home and did not feel that he was in danger. However, they decided to list the Pardo parents on the Texas Child Abuse Registry anyway.
Being listed on the registry can have real consequences regarding jobs, volunteer work, and other issues. With THSC’s help, the Pardos appealed that decision in an administrative appeal. CPS denied the appeal.
THSC then wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (which oversees CPS) and asked the agency head to do the right thing: reverse this horrible decision.
CPS told THSC and legislators copied on our letter that they’ve decided to remove the Pardo parents from the Texas Child Abuse Registry.
CPS has also acknowledged the need for clarifying legislation on this issue and THSC will be working on that and other critical issues next spring when the Texas legislature meets.
In the meantime, we thank all of you who helped THSC come to the defense of this Texas family! Together we continue to work in Keeping Texas Families Free!
- January 18, 2021—Education and Passing On the Faith
- January 5, 2021—Vindication for the Pardos
Education and Passing On the Faith
Education is a foundation for our state and our country.
When I began to advocate for families’ right to teach their children at home 30 years ago, I experienced a great deal of pushback from people who argued that this would not be good for students or the country.
That is completely debunked today based on many studies.
Betsy DeVos (former head of the U.S. Department of Education) recently said:
“Parents today are more aware of what their children are—or are not—learning.
“And they’re more aware of who’s standing in the way. More than ever before, they are raising their voices for more options, for more choices, for freedom.
“The need for education freedom is especially acute for kids whose government-assigned schools are refusing to open—and those families should be able to take their education dollars to schools that will.”
We have seen evidence of a mass exodus from public schools firsthand in Texas as a result of the pandemic.
This has led to a record number of families choosing the ultimate form of school choice—homeschooling.
Another major reason that many choose to homeschool their children is the desire to pass on their religious faith.
In fact, recent research has shown that a significant basis for the secularization of children is the secularization of public schools.
Part of the article states:
“Children learn more at school than reading, writing, and arithmetic. They imbibe a whole set of implied assumptions about what’s important in life.
“By excluding religious instruction from public schools, the government-run education system tacitly teaches students that religious commitments are not a first-order priority in life.
“Faith in God becomes a sort of optional weekend hobby akin to playing tennis or video games. Christ and Moses are treated by teachers and administrators like weapons or drugs—confiscated upon discovery.”
So a growing number of families are finding that they can homeschool and it is better for their children in more ways than just academics.
Vindication for the Pardos
People from all over the world came to the aid of the Pardo family last year when THSC led the legal and public relations battle to reunite their family.
Four year-old Drake, a child with special needs, was illegally taken from the family without any evidence of abuse.
We launched a months-long battle in the courts and the court of public opinion to bring justice to the family (read the details here).
CPS had dropped all charges against the family last year and told the court they were totally comfortable with Drake being home and did not feel that he was in danger. However, they decided to list the Pardo parents on the Texas Child Abuse Registry anyway.
Being listed on the registry can have real consequences regarding jobs, volunteer work, and other issues. With THSC’s help, the Pardos appealed that decision in an administrative appeal. CPS denied the appeal.
THSC then wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (which oversees CPS) and asked the agency head to do the right thing: reverse this horrible decision.
CPS told THSC and legislators copied on our letter that they’ve decided to remove the Pardo parents from the Texas Child Abuse Registry.
CPS has also acknowledged the need for clarifying legislation on this issue and THSC will be working on that and other critical issues next spring when the Texas legislature meets.
In the meantime, we thank all of you who helped THSC come to the defense of this Texas family! Together we continue to work in Keeping Texas Families Free!
