Parents have always had a vested interest in their children’s education. Public policy should fiercely defend the right of parents to choose an education for their children because parental choice in education is in the best interest of their children. Parental preference is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. When parents choose, kids win!
Teacher Flexibility and the New Normal
It’s been two full school years. Has normal come back? Maybe the old ‘normal’ shouldn’t be the new normal? When something as traumatic as a pandemic happens, it is easy to throw out everything associated with it, but instead of scrapping all of it, let’s reflect on some of the positive changes that contribute to the new normal.
Steward Leadership and Christian Schools
As one considers a relationship between Steward leadership and experience within an organization, there seems to be a connection. Steward leadership approaches to decision-making is evidenced in the way school leaders operate with their leadership team and in leadership team meetings.
Celebrate and Imagine #10: Flourishing Together in Community – Dr. Lynn Swaner
Dr. Lynn Swaner has done unprecedented and comprehensive research on flourishing in Christian education. In this speech, she made strong connections between the “Big Story” and student flourishing. She discovered three aspects of spiritual formation happening in Christian schools that highly correlated with Christian school alumni continuing to walk with God: community engagement, Christ-like teachers, and responsiveness to special needs. She gave encouraging examples of how she has seen these aspects practiced in our schools.
Sabbath-keeping in Christian Schools
Communities in which members profess faith in God should affirm human dignity in part by prioritizing Sabbath rest. Along with our churches, Christian schools should be among the communities in which the freedom of Sabbath rest is proclaimed.
Initial Research Observations Post COVID at Christian Schools
Whereas satisfaction with Christian schools remains generally strong, there seem to be new negative pandemic impacts on various groups typically studied in satisfaction research at Christian schools. Trends among parents, students, and staff seem to be connected with one another and to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celebrate and Imagine #9: Schools Embodying a Transforming Vision: Missional, Dynamic, Deeper, and Global, 2010-Present (Part 2)
With the rise of national standards and an increase of accountability in both the US and Canada, some began to wonder how much our identities as Christian schools were driven by the wrong outcomes. What was our hope for our graduates?
Tailwinds and Headwinds in Christian Education
In aviation, business, and ministry headwinds can increase costs, require more energy, and lengthen the time it takes to reach your goals. Tailwind conditions, on the other hand, can propel your ministry and help move it forward more quickly than expected. Skills at navigating both tailwinds and headwinds are necessary in ministry. Applying these concepts to Christian education is the topic of this article.
Celebrate and Imagine #8: Schools Embodying a Transforming Vision: Missional, Dynamic, Deeper, and Global, 2010-Present (Part 1)
It is a risk to try new things, to move in new directions, to love that deeply. But we have reached a time in history where by not innovating we are running a greater risk than staying our current course. Dan Beerens and Erik Ellefsen, MindShift: Catalyzing Change in Christian Education Since the financial crisis of 2007-2008, Christian schooling in … Read More
Celebrate and Imagine #7: Interpreting, Fast and Slow: Faith, Love, and Hope for Christian Education – Dr. Justin Bailey
In this talk, Dr. Justin Bailey suggests that the greatest contribution Christian education can make is to prepare students to become skilled interpreters of our world. Our job in Christian schools is to help students recognize that, while they inhabit a world tainted by sin, they can lead others toward faith, love, and hope through postures of curiosity, discernment, and presence.