Best Schools In America--Where Are They?
Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 06:25AM
City On A Hill in Alexis de Tocqueville, Constitution, Education, Founders, best schools, christianity, education, faith, freedom, literacy, national standards, schools
 Alexis de Tocqueville wrote of his travels through America in the early 19th Century and he observed:
  • "Moreover, almost all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same. In the United States the sovereign authority is religious, and consequently hypocrisy must be common; but there is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.
  • The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other; and with them this conviction does not spring from that barren traditionary faith which seems to vegetate in the soul rather than to live.
  • There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and their debasement, while in America one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world fulfills all the outward duties of religion with fervor."
The above reminds us where the best schools were in America.  It is time America studied its history and go back to the ways that worked.  Let us learn:
  • We have tried making so many rules for our children--yet we have raised generations who care not about laws.  
  • We have tried spending more money for better bigger schools--yet the majority of these schools are failling and drop out rates are increasing.  
  • We have tried to make them learn in more modern, technological ways yet we are falling  behind as a nation.  
  • What could be wrong?  Well the answer is what was the key to America when Alexader de Tocquiville came and what he found was the same mindset that raised a great nation.  
America was one of the most literate nations then?  What are we now.  The freedoms we were given-paid for with blood, sweat and tears have been squandered like pearls in the troth for pigs.  We no longer look at the responsibility that comes with that freedom (we even think the Founders equate that with the right to burn our Flag.)  Have we gotten so smart that we have lost our common sense too!
Observation then and now to better schools:
  • First thing should be the fear or awe of the Lord--it is the beginning of wisdom.  
  • The Founders knew that and no national standards, school system, administrator, educator can ever truly lead this nation to the right path without that right foundation.  
  • Study the formula the Founders had which started with God--why not do it again, after all that was their intent for their posterity "One nation under God".

Link for perspectives from people in the know of what's wrong with the common core standards being set for today's children.

May God bless America and may God help America with true leaders that know where our help comes from for great is the nation who fears the Lord.  The opposite will be what was in John Winthrop's warning when America is no longer a "city on a hill."  
Article originally appeared on City on a Hill Radio Show (http://www.shineascityonahill.com/).
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