As I look at this picture of Jesus with the child, I realize that is why, not only is this country in the mess it is in, but why our schools are in such disarray. Whether non-believers like to admit it or not, there is a direct correlation to - God and Jesus being removed not only from our schools, but from: churches, classrooms/schools, homes/marriages/families, the workplace/businesses, and most certainly from our all forms of government/politically - and the disorder and loss of moral compass we are currently experiencing in every possible aspect on so many levels.

From a Christian perspective, I'd have to say that, the attached article (below), titled: "Arizona's Education Stagflation," is in my opinion a mere outward sign of an inward problem. Once God's hand of protection and blessing is off of us, not only individually, but collectively, we're basically setting ourselves up for failure. And I think that has become painfully and profoundly obvious over the last several years as can be proven and seen by the many headlines, news stories, and other problems that we are experiencing and inundated with on a daily (almost hourly) basis. The further we - individually and collectively (as a nation) - move away from God the more things spiral in a negative direction. Sadly, it's affected our children, even in their respective schools.

We read headlines like the ones in the article below and even as believers - we find it hard not to get discouraged, not only where education is concerned, but in all other aspects of life. I honestly don't know how non-believers get through times like this with virtually nothing more than themselves to hold onto. Believers know the end game - we know that there is a reason to hope and eventually that someday (sooner than we might think) it will all come full circle for us, as is our hope in Jesus Christ.

What is so interesting to me, speaking of our Savior is - I can't help but notice the irony in how education started and where it has ended up today in 2010. And honestly, one of the most frustrating things about the state of education today to me (as a believer) is - knowing that public education was first implemented by the Puritans for religious purpose, and how hostile education has become towards Christendom 400 years later.

To give a little background on the Puritans: they were a devout sect of Christian believers, who were some of this country's first settlers, that were determined to change things for the better, as they made their new life here in the colonial states - back in the 1600s.

One of the ways they began to make a better life for themselves and their children was, to create what turned out to be the first public mandated grammar schools, so that students could learn how to read the Bible. The Puritans knew that learning to read scripture was the way to a holy life and a way to seek out truth. Once grammar schools were implemented, then came the (at one time) seminary schools of Harvard and Yale. Which were also Puritan created institutions. So to see these one time benevolent schools get placed in the hands of the likes of "Safe" school czar Kevin Jennings all these years later, is daunting yes, but hopeless to reform, NO.

Once we get on our knees and pray: 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my/God's people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land;" once we get our moral compass turned around in the right direction; and once we get back to basics (Less Is More) and take steps towards real education (and governmental) reform - I have every hope (and faith) that we can turn this once great ship of the USA around and chart her course for much smoother waters. All things are possible with God.

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Original Article at: Goldwater Institute

In the latest edition of City Journal, William Voegeli's article about the public sector strangling of the California economy provided the following nugget of wisdom:

Bill Watkins, executive director of the Economic Forecast Project at the University of California at Santa Barbara, has calculated that once you adjust for population growth and inflation, the state government spent 26 percent more in 2007–08 than in 1997–98. Back then, “California had teachers. Prisoners were in jail. Health care was provided for those with the least resources.” Today, Watkins asks, “Are the roads 26 percent better? Are schools 26 percent better? What is 26 percent better?”

Sadly, California is not the only state suffering from this phenomenon. As Arizona's Joint Legislative Budget Committee documents public school spending increased from $6,497 per student in the 2000 to $9,698 in 2009. Even after taking inflation into account, this amounted to more than a 20 percent increase in per student funding.

Since the late 1990s, the average 4th and 8th grade math, reading and science NAEP scores have improved by less than 1 percent. In short, Arizona taxpayers have paid substantially more for the same bad results.

Voegeli described this phenomenon as “The Big-Spending, High-Taxing, Lousy-Services Paradigm” and both Arizona students and taxpayers deserve better. Reversing Arizona's K-12 misery index of rising costs and stagnating scores can be done but will require a far reaching update to our broken and antiquated model of schooling.

Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president for research at the Goldwater Institute.