“The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”
I have been reading through a book titled “4 Centuries of American Education” that one of my colleagues brought me a while back. I felt like it was a good time to read it due to the potential future change of our Arkansas Education System.
As I look back to early education and the impact it had on the early development of our country and our political leaders I am quickly reminded of the immense impact of our education system; specifically, Shiloh Christian School.
Many know that Harvard, Yale and Princeton Universities were originally designed to train ministers of the Gospel under two mottos “For Christ and the Church” and “For the Glory of Christ.” Each of these Universities played a significant role in developing the Worldview of some of the most influential political figures in our nation’s history. Look at the list below:
John Hancock
William Hooper
Robert Paine
William Ellery
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Fisher Ames
Timothy Pickering
Lewis Morris
William Livingston
Jared Ingersoll
Lyman Hall
Oliver Wolcott
Noah Webster
Abraham Baldwin
Phillip Livingston
Benjamin Rush
Richard Stockton
William Bradford
Johnathan Dayton
James Madison
William Paterson
Henry Lee
Gunning Bedford
Those universities had an incredible impact on shaping and molding the future leaders of our country. I want Shiloh to continue to do the same! That is why our mission at Shiloh is undying and so incredibly important. Unfortunately, the universities listed above have since strayed far from where they started. They now teach a very different doctrine; one that still has impact but not for the Glory of God.
This is where the quote that I started with applies: “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” If we continue to let our philosophy in education across the nation stray further from God then how can we expect our national politics drive nearer to God. I promise that I will not let Shiloh Christian School drift from our mission as they did.
This concept is why I am so excited about the potential future for education in Arkansas and how it can positively impact all of our families at Shiloh. This is the bill that I have been hinting at for several months now. SB294 (Learns Act) has the potential to provide funding to families who desire Christian Education in Arkansas. There is a lot of information in this Bill of 144 pages but the portion that will impact our Shiloh families begins primarily on page 82.
This bill will be a three year phased process with the final year allowing for all incomes the opportunity for funding to attend Private Christian Schools in Arkansas. This bill is a huge opportunity for our families that has appropriate accountability without infringing on our rights as a Private Christian School in terms of hiring practices, curriculum, and student admission.
This bill has already passed through the senate and will be hitting the house floor soon. I encourage you to read the bill in its entirety as it is the most significant education bill that has hit Arkansas in decades.
If this bill passes it will truly be a historic moment for Arkansas Education and change the landscape of how education will look in Arkansas for years to come. It will take a few years for it to take full effect but I believe this is an incredible opportunity for our school. There are still several questions out there but they will be answered in time. If you are politically connected I encourage you to reach out to your representatives and let them know of your support.
If this bill passes then the quote I began with (“The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” ) will have the potential to be expanded in years to come as we continue to develop Godly leaders who will engage their culture and change it!
Below is the link to the bill
https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023R%2FPublic%2FSB294.pdf
Lead NWA well this week!
- Dr. Keith McDaniel
