In a recent Focus on the Family broadcast, host Jim Daly sits down with Dr. Larry Taylor of the Association of Christian Schools International and Dr. Barry Corey of Biola University to discuss the challenges Christian families face when choosing a school for their children. The conversation centers on how to keep faith intact while navigating public, charter, private, and homeschool options, and what it means to raise a child who “knows who they are” in a world that constantly asks, “Who am I?”
Identity in the Classroom
Dr. Taylor highlights a “crisis of identity” that he sees in K‑12 schools today. He points out that students are bombarded with messages that conflict with the biblical view that we are made in God’s image. The question he raises is whether schools can remain faithful to that core truth while preparing students for a rapidly changing world, and how a school’s mission aligns with a family’s spiritual goals.
Performance Versus Purpose
Both guests discuss the stark reality that only about one‑third of eighth‑grade students in the United States are proficient in reading. Dr. Taylor cites research that shows Catholic schools tend to perform better on standardized tests than their Protestant or public counterparts. He asks whether academic excellence should trump spiritual formation, or whether the two can coexist, leaving listeners to consider how to evaluate a school’s academic record without losing sight of its faith identity.
Practical Choices for Every Budget
When parents feel limited to public schools, Dr. Corey and Dr. Taylor offer a “step‑back” strategy: spend a few minutes each day reflecting on the learning environment that best suits a child’s temperament and gifts. They emphasize prayer, counsel, and asking whether a school will be a “school of Tyrannus,” a reference to Acts 19, where Paul’s disciples were disciplined and prepared for ministry. The discussion also touches on a new federal tax credit that allows families to donate $1,700 to a school of their choice, framing it as a practical option for families seeking faith‑based education.
Faith in the Classroom, Not Just the Name
Dr. Taylor warns against assuming that every school with “Christian” in its name is authentic. He stresses the importance of examining how a school’s curriculum, faculty, and community life reflect biblical truth. The conversation ends with a reminder that parents must be active advocates for their children’s education, just as they are advocates for their faith at home.
For a deeper dive into the questions and practical steps discussed, listeners can tune into the full Focus on the Family program.