ABSTRACT
Parents often cite religious beliefs as justification for removing their children from secular public schools. However, the growth of the religious model of education necessarily trades off with other competing models, including an education policy that places the child's interests at the forefront. The first objective has a public aspect, and the interests of the state are dominant. If it argues that compulsory education is necessary to produce an informed and disciplined citizenry able to create and maintain social institutions, it emphasizes the interests of the state. The second emphasis is on social or parental interests and the objective of education is cast as teaching children responsibility with regard to the family, the community, and civic institutions. Concentrating on third objective, the "self-actualization" possibilities provided by education the child's interest should be moved to the foreground. Advocates of parental rights continue to argue that parents are best situated to make decisions that benefit the child's welfare, education, and personal development.
