[JohnnyB]

I'm all for the funding of faith based schools as long as the funding is equal per-student to what the public board receives, as long as the core curriculum is covered in faith based schools as well, and as long as any faith based school teaching to an equivalent standard is eligible. I see little reason that there shouldn't be the option of learning more about a particular faith when the basics are in the bag as well. If kids out of faith based systems score equivalently or better on standardized tests, then more power to 'em.

Having a homogenous system of education just seems like a disaster to me. So much is made of making sure that everyone is taught to just the same standard, but the fact is that students are all different, and the same standard just isn't best for all students. What ultimately ends up happening in a homogenous system is that it becomes geared to the lowest common denominator among the masses of diversity; those with needs not the same as the lowest common denominator either get left behind or become stultifyingly bored. The public system is infinitely enriched by efforts to diversify it's programs to accomodate a variety of special needs, aptitudes, and inclinations in it's students. Those students benefit wonderfully from a more aware and adaptable educative program.

The thing is, the public system can only be diversified so much. If there are students whose needs are better served by the program offered in a faith based school (specifically related to it's nature as a faith based school), then that school should be whole heartedly encouraged to continue improving those students' experiences in a faith based environment. If the benefits of the program aren't specifically related to it's nature as a faith based school, then there must be something there for the public system to pick up on and aim at developing for public school kids. That diversity encourages more dynamic approaches to education, and enriches the pool of programs and approaches available for all boards to consider and implement.

I say this as an agnostic, raised as an atheist, who studied in the public system.