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"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."
�"Erica Jong

EDUCATION CHIEF PRAISES CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Rod Paige, the Secretary of the US Department of Education, caused a mini-furor when he praised the value of Christian schools.  In a recent interview, reported in the New York Times (April 9, 2003), Dr. Paige was quoted as saying, "All things equal, I would prefer to have a child in a school that has a strong appreciation for the values of the Christian community, where a child is taught to have a strong faith....In a religious environment the value system is set. That's not the case in a public school where there are so many different kids with different kinds of values."

In a hastily called news conference after these remarks raised concerns about Paige's commitment to public education, the Secretary stated, "I understand completely and respect the separation of church and state."  He said that the interviewer had asked for his personal views on "how I would deal with issues," adding, "This is no connection to how I perform my duties as Secretary of Education."