I am working on my Philosophy of Education. The Self Directed Study from the Noah Plan has a lesson or two about how to write one. This last conference I attended with Ruth Smith of the Pilgrim Institute spent some time discussing the importance of having this written out. I have been using BPA in some form for five years and only now am attempting to write out my Philosophy of Education. I think of it also as mine and my husband's homeschooling mission statement. This will encompass our reasons for home educating and what our goal is in raising our children.

Mrs. Smith underscored the importance of this by laying out a graph which showed the relationship between a Philosophy of Education to a Philosophy of Government. A Philosophy of Education is influenced by a Philosophy of Government, which will influence the curriculum and methods used to teach and this will determine the Character of a Nation. Then the cycle starts again: Philosophy of Government ---> Philosophy of Education ---> Methods and Curriculum ---> Character of a Nation ---> Philosophy of Government ...

How incredibly powerful and awesome is this responsibility to educate my children! What my husband and I decide is important to teach our children will influence their voting and government involvement - or lack thereof. It is worth thinking through what is the source of our desire to home educate and put it into words.

I have been spending time 4 R'ing "Philosophy of Education." Webster's 1828 is rich! The definition of the words seem more than just an academic study, but of eternal significance. Though I have only just defined the main terms, I was struck by the meaning of "education" and wanted to take a moment to talk about this simple, yet noteworthy word. Here is the definition that Noah Webster meticulously wrote:

EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

I added the emphasis. Education is the instruction and discipline for enlightening the understanding, correcting the temper, forming the manners and habits of youth, to fit for usefulness in future stations. What really caught my attention was Mr. Webster's last statement "To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties." He not only stated the function of education, but included the importance as well. Not just academic importance or social (manners) importance, but also moral importance. In fact a religious (Christian) education is "indispensable."

This definition gives meaning and purpose. Words are not idle fillers for our mouths; words mean things, ideas. This is a rich word. No longer can this word be used idly. Behind "education" is an admonition and accountability to the sayer of the word.

As a contrast, I like to see what contemporary definitions give. Here is one from dictionary.com:

ed·u·ca·tion  –noun

1.	the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

2.	the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.

3.	a degree, level, or kind of schooling: a university education.

4.	the result produced by instruction, training, or study: to show one's education.

5.	the science or art of teaching; pedagogics.

This definition is accurate, but superficial. It only looks to the outer man, his/her job or profession. "Acquiring particular knowledge or skills," "A degree, level, or kind of schooling," "result produced," "pedagogics." This definition is lacking the social and moral character that its ancestor held. Education now only means that which will give a person that skill or knowledge to make him/her useful in a profession or job or mature life. Truly, this is not the whole man.

Could this be the cause of some problems arising in the nation's educational system? If the goal of education is to give kids knowledge for job skills and not focus on their manners nor morals, then workers is all that is produced. There would be no moral framework, nor any common courtesies. This would in time produce a classroom of disrespect, where children would see nothing wrong with breaking rules.

Is it possible that trying to teach manners and morals without a basis (without "religion" as Webster called it) would produce the same result? Classrooms of disrespect for man and laws?

If the Philosophy of Education was one in which no formal moral framework held the knowledge of arts and sciences, and manners were neglected, and only job skills were enforced, what type of Philosophy of Government would be produced? A socialist or communist type? I would think so. What kind of Philosophy of Government would come from a Philosophy of Education where morals were subjective? I am not sure, but I think an anarchist type.

I had those moral subjective questions in high school, like this one; three people- a scientist, a housewife, and a politician were stranded in a boat at least a week from land with only enough food for one person for one week. Who lives? It was a dumb exercise as I was trying to figure out a way for all three to survive. To me it was unconscionable to allow two to die, one of whom was the housewife according to the "answer." What was the "education" in this exercise? I would submit nothing of importance. Certainly nothing that was enlightening my understanding, correcting my temper (no that took YEARS - outside of school), forming my manners or habits. Nothing but to say I didn't want to be a housewife - they get thrown over first! But if I were on the boat, according to the "morals" this exercise taught me, I'd be kicking the politician over first and then work on the scientist. Every man for himself... ahhh, this is anarchy isn't it?

The definition of a word is important. Understanding what education entails and why it is important, knowledge, manners and morals, as well as whom the burden is on, parents and guardians, gives direction and purpose to educators to effectively carry on their duties. Going to Noah Webster's careful study of the word, education is more than just giving academics. It is giving purpose and meaning to the actual educating and to the children being educated.

This will influence my Philosophy of Education! My children are of eternal importance. My educating includes manners, the arts and sciences, but of greater importance is that knowledge which involves knowing and having a relationship with their Creator and Saviour.

Well, almost.

My daughter's basketball team went to the tournaments and came away with third place. The jv girls came in second place. These girls practiced well under the guidance of a great coach and mentor. He is a local pastor and just adored the girls. Each improved so much through-out the season. Even my husband and I learned a bit about basketball (we're football people - GO BIG RED).  My boys took to playing bball. The younger one looks incredibly cute trying to dribble a ball that is half his size.

Miss Actress improved so much as well. She is good at defense. This basically means keeping the other team from scoring or passing the ball. Actress would (by the end of the season) get right into the other team's face, put her hands up, and lean into them to prevent the ball from going anywhere. This is seriously a big deal because when she started she would back away from anyone with the ball, no matter what team they were on.

Here is a picture of the team with two of their trophies (they ended up with four in all).