Opposing infringement on parental control of education and promoting alternatives
to government-run schools is a vital task for the liberty movement. When
government usurps a parent's right to control their child's education, it
is inevitable that the child will be taught the values of government officials,
rather than of the parents. The result is an education system with a built-in
bias toward statism. Over time, government-controlled education can erode
the people's knowledge of, and appreciation for, the benefits of a free society.
This is why throughout my congressional career I fought against any legislation
that infringed on a parent's right to control their child's education, especially
any legislation that limited a parent's right to homeschool. Many so-called
education experts claim that parents who are not "government-certified" educators
cannot provide their children with a quality education. However, the numerous
studies showing that homeschooled children out-perform their publicly-educated
peers in every academic category shows that most parents are more than capable
of providing their children with an excellent education.
The Internet has made it easier than ever for parents to homeschool. Because
of my interest in promoting alternatives to government-controlled education,
this month I am launching my own homeschool curriculum. The Ron Paul Curriculum
consists of a rigorous program of study in history, economics, mathematics,
and the physical and natural sciences.
Older students will also have the opportunity to gain experience creating
and running their own on-line business. Frequent written assignments will
ensure that students have the maximum opportunity to develop strong communication
skills.
Students and parents are invited to participate in on-line interactive forums.
The goal of the forums is to maximize participation so the student is not
a passive recipient of information conveyed by the teachers. Instead, the
students are encouraged to actively engage with their fellow students so
the students can learn from each other as well as from the program's instructors.
Of course, many of the offerings, particularly in history and economics, reflect
my belief and interest in the freedom philosophy. However, unlike the pro-statist
curriculum used in government-run schools, the curriculum does not place
promoting an ideological agenda ahead of ensuring that students receive a
quality education. The economic curriculum will cover all significant schools
of economic thought, but will emphasize the free-market "Austrian" school.
Parents interested in providing their children with a quality education that
incorporates knowledge of the principles of liberty will find this program
a good investment. The curriculum also does not shy away from addressing
the crucial role religion played in the development of western civilization.
However, the materials are drafted in way that any Christian, Jewish, Muslim,
or atheist parent who wants their children to receive a top-notch education
incorporating the history, philosophy, and economics of liberty, can feel
comfortable using the curriculum.
I expected interest in my curriculum to grow over the years, as the young
people who have recently become interested in the ideas of liberty marry
and start their own families. These men and women will want to make sure
their children's education includes instruction in the ideas of liberty that
was lacking in their government-provided-and-controlled education.
I am excited to be able to help provide the increasing number of parents interested
in homeschooling with a quality curriculum that emphasizes the history and
philosophy of liberty and free-market economics of the Austrian school. For
more information on my homeschool curriculum please see here.
And to order a copy of my new book The School Revolution: A New Answer for
Our Broken Education System, see here.
