From the HSLDA e-lert service
Support a College that Supports Your Values
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,
As homeschooling parents, you recognize how important the peer group can be in shaping values. Many colleges claim to have an authentic Christian worldview. But it is interesting to see what this looks like in practice.
Consider the implications of the following survey. The Higher Education Research Institute (which is affiliated with the UCLA Graduate School of Education), conducts a regular survey of hundreds of colleges and universities. The research program is called the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP).
Patrick Henry College participates in this program along with a number of other self-identified evangelical colleges, and an even greater number of self-identified religious schools.
PHC received study results comparing these three groups of entering freshmen:
- PHC students
- Students from 11 evangelical colleges
- Students from all religious colleges
The other 11 evangelical colleges in the survey were: Bethel University, Biola University, Geneva College, Gordon College, Houghton College, Indiana Wesleyan University, King College (Tenn), Master’s College, Northwestern College, Seattle Pacific College, and Union University.
Here are some of the more interesting comparisons:
PHC Evangelical Religious Were you homeschooled?
91% 8% 2% Do you believe that you are “above average” in spirituality?
89% 66% 45% Time spent studying in high school (11 hours+ per week)
62% 25% 23% Characterize political views as conservative or far right?
98% 59% 29% Believe that dissent is a critical component of the political process?
92% 62% 65% Military spending should be increased?
62% 33% 26% A national health care plan is needed?
4% 52% 65% Federal government should do more to control gun sales?
4% 62% 70% Global warming should be a federal priority?
2% 47% 70% Same-sex couples should have the right to legal marital status?
0% 18% 59% Is it “essential” or “very important” to:
Influence social values?
93% 56% 47% Keep up-to-date with political affairs?
86% 32% 41% Influence the political structure?
75% 15% 21% Become a community leader?
59% 36% 37% Become well-off financially?
24% 43% 62% Student estimates that chances are “very good” that he will:
Discuss course content outside of class?
93% 56% 53% Communicate regularly with professors?
86% 56% 53% As this detailed look at a number of indicators reveals, there is a significant difference in values between PHC students compared to those from other evangelical and religious colleges.
This difference in values comes from PHC’s close and long-standing association with the Christian homeschooling movement.
When Patrick Henry College wins the national Moot Court Championship (as it has done three times in the last five years), it helps shape the reputation of homeschooling among other colleges and law schools. Other institutions are aware that over 90% of our students have been homeschooled.
When PHC students excel in their internships on Capitol Hill (and we get frequent letters of praise to the effect that our students are “the best ever”), this helps shape the reputation of homeschooling on Capitol Hill. Hill staffers are aware that over 90% of our students have been homeschooled.
When a new college composed primarily of homeschoolers is selected as one of the top colleges in the world at a Model United Nations competition, the reputation of homeschoolers is advanced all over the world.
Because of the economic crisis our country is facing, PHC has experienced a significant reduction in giving from some of its most faithful supporters. The stock market crash severely hurt many who give from such resources. The number of our small and medium donors is greater than we have seen for several years. But for PHC to survive these tough times, we need even more people who will invest small-to medium-sized gifts. Yes, gifts of $25, $50, or $100 really do matter. And some can give $,1000 or more.
Many organizations need extra help these days.
Why should you consider PHC at this time?
- PHC is connected to homeschooling
- PHC has a distinctive biblical worldview
- PHC students are more motivated to lead the nation
We receive no government aid. If PHC is to avoid incurring significant debt, we need your help at this time.
Please prayerfully consider what your family could do to help ensure that there is at least one college that is training leaders who fully share your values.
For Christ and For Liberty,
Michael Farris
HSLDA Chairman
Your Gift Makes
A Difference
For PHC to survive these tough times, we need even more people who will invest small-to medium-sized gifts. Yes, gifts of $25, $50, or $100 really do matter.
| ||||||
