MANHATTAN — I have watched and participated in the debate concerning Common Core and its education methods for some time now. I have noticed that most on both sides of the argument have forgotten what God considers the primary purpose of education. Many have also forgotten who our children’s primary teachers are supposed to be. It has, however, been good to see that some opposed to that plan have pled for their right to oversee the education of their children. Maybe it is time to remind ourselves of God’s plan for education.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 states, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Proverbs chapters 2-4 reminds us of the value of God’s wisdom while 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 and 3:19 makes abundantly clear what God thinks of the world’s wisdom. So what does that have to do with Common Core?  
One of the facets of Common Core is extensive information gathering coupled with psychological evaluations during the student’s tenure in school.  This is combined with a push to track students from birth while encouraging entrance into preschool at earlier and earlier ages. I have actually had parents say to me that the education of children “is the school’s job, not mine.”
Luke 6:40 tells us that a student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. The question is whether Christian parents want their child to be like many atheistic or agnostic teachers, or like Jesus Christ. Do Christian parents want their children to learn science based on the concept that the universe evolved from primordial slime or that it was created by a loving almighty God?
Several years back, the Southern Baptist Convention conducted an extensive study to find out why children from Christian families are leaving the church. They discovered that one main reason for their falling away is that students are taught things contrary to the Bible for seven to eight hours a day while spending one or two hours per week in church. In addition, they found that many public school teachers are openly antagonistic towards Christianity. As a result, the Convention strongly recommended that its member churches either support Christian schools in their area or start one themselves. There have been more than 600 schools started by these churches since then!
Another problem for these parents with Common Core is the testing system used by this program. The system has been promoted so strongly in educational circles that the college entrance exams are being revised to match Common Core. This means that any student not educated in a public school will face serious obstacles when it comes to entering a four year college. In other words, they will be penalized for their families’ religious beliefs.
We still have the opportunity to fight this educational manipulation. However, it will take dedicated prayer and fasting followed by Holy Spirit lead action.  The question is: Are our children valuable enough for us to pick up the mantle?

Frank F. Clark is the author of the column “Frankly Speaking.” His email address is ffpsclark@yahoo.com.