Dr. Brian Ray

Dr. Brian Ray is the president of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) and founding editor of the academic journal Home School Researcher (est. 1985). He has published numerous journal articles and books, and repeatedly interviewed by major media, served as an expert witness in court cases on home schooling, and testified to legislatures regarding educational issues. Dr. Ray is a leading international expert in research on home schooling. Brian and Betsy have been married 29 years and have eight children, all of whom they have home educated since birth, and two grandchildren.

Topics Include:

Separating School and State
It is of paramount importance for everyone to consider who should be in authority over what is taught in the minds and hearts of children. Both the concept of a democratic republic such as the United States and a Judeo-Christian worldview demand that parents and private associations be the only educators. Dr. Ray will challenge you to think through this issue and provide you with information and insight to help you promote the concept of the separation of school and state.

What Makes You Think You Can “Teach Your Own”?
Dr. Ray will first ask, “Should you teach your own children?”, then proceed to help his audience answer the question which is the title of this message. Brian will use Christian thought, his experience as a long-time home education father of eight children, ideas from the education profession, and research to stimulate, challenge and encourage both veteran and novice home educators.

Isolation? Or Teaching Them When They Lie, Sit, Rise, and Walk?
Dr. Ray confronts both the critics of home education and home educators who may need to revise their reasons for home educating their children. He deals with myths about home education, traces some historical events in American education, considers Biblical guidelines for raising children, and sprinkles in research findings about home schooling. In the end, novice and veteran home educators should be challenged, encouraged and refreshed.

Swimming Upstream: The Water Gets Clearer
Many parents finally fall prey to their own insecurities and critics’ darts when their children grow older. They consider abandoning home-based and parent-guided education. Getting closer to the source—the headwaters—brings refreshment and clarity to vision and action. Dr. Ray focuses on key educational goals and philosophy (Biblical), research findings, the importance of separating the state from education, and personal experience to inform, encourage, and rally parents’ spirits and harden their resolve to continue home schooling for the long term in order to reap the harvest of its excellent fruits.