Excused Absence: Should Christian Kids Leave Public Schools?

Excused Absence: Should Christian Kids Leave Public Schools?

This was the kind of book that led me to think of all the people I know who need to hear its message. The first couple of chapters were especially helpful, because I am working on a presentation on the history of government-mandated education in Ontario. These chapters will save a lot of research.

The main message is: "Get your children out, now!"

If I had to select one book to anyone to persuade them to give their child a Christian education, this would be the one. The scriptural justifications are well thought out and presented, very concisely too, and should leave any reader with an undeniable choice: educate your child according to scripture (not in a government school) or willfully, eyes wide open sin. I didn't think Wilson's disagreements with Charles Finney were constructive or necessary towards the purpose of the book but having read scores of books on Christian education, this is one of the best.

I read Why Christian Kids Need a Christian Education first and that is a great resource to put into the hands of parents. I would say the same thing about Excused Absence except the final three chapters read like something that may have been suggested by editors to get to a final word count. With that said, the first two thirds does a great job of providing a concise history of progressive education and challenging parents to consider how public school today is not the same as public school 100-75-50-25 years ago. I love the critique of how evangelicals were okay with the facade of public Christian education yet were blinded & fooled as Catholics exited to formulate parochial schools. Worth the time to read.

Great book with much needed info!