By Lois E. Wilson
I spent my K-12 years attending schools in the Dayton Public School District. At the time, the schools were controlled almost entirely by locally-elected school boards. The population of my elementary school was varied: There were a few minority students, a high percentage of Protestant and Catholic students, and a smaller percentage of Jewish students.
A Christian Education teacher assigned to our school came on a regular schedule to conduct hour-long classes on Christianity.
In the district, there were neighborhood Catholic schools. A sizable number of Catholic students who could afford the tuition attended them. After some negotiation, Jewish students were permitted to opt out of the Christianity course.
They were sent to a room to wait out the duration of each class. I don’t know what they did at those times. I suppose there was probably someone to watch over them—to help them with their homework or other assignments.
It did seem odd that those of different faiths were separated. It was as if they were being outcast because of their faith. I assume it was their parents’ fear that they would be indoctrinated in a faith other than that of their heritage.
I am certain as schools became more regulated by Federal requirements, the Christianity courses within public schools became a victim of our country’s long history of separation of church and state.
We have individuals, groups, and teachers currently trying to switch the emphasis of education to political or social indoctrination. My viewpoint has not changed; especially within the public, primary school age group. Unless the school is parochial, the focus of education should be motivation toward and enrichment of the basics such as Language Arts and Math. Being well-versed in them will more likely produce students with the skills to fit their needs as they mature.
In the July 14, 2021, issue of the Dayton Daily News, political cartoonist Michael Ramirez was right on point. His cartoon features what appears to be a convention. Over the podium of the meeting’s speaker hangs a large banner which reads: “NEA—National Endoctrination Association.” Beside him stands a little girl holding a Spelling Bee winner’s cup. She looks up at the NEA banner and says to the speaker: “Indoctrination is spelled with an ‘I.’”
Need I say more?