In some ways, this is the wrong question to ask. As nonprofits, after all, how in the world do we pay for anything? Many prayers, generous donors, and perhaps a bit of luck. But budgets are often seen as reflections of our values. As Christian schools, we value our faith, our people, our teaching, and our communities; educational support services … Read More
Webinar – Welcoming Students of All Abilities at Your School (Part 1)
In this webinar CACE Fellow Dan Beerens and CLC executive director Elizabeth Dombrowski explore the opportunity for, and biblical basis of, inclusion in Christian schools. They are joined by two school administrators, Megan Willink and Mark Buteyn, who reflect on the joys and challenges of implementing inclusive education at their respective schools. This was Part 1 of a two part … Read More
Webinar – Cardus 2016 Update
In this webinar Cardus Education Program Director, Dr. Elizabeth Green shares the results of the 2016 Education Survey, explains how that fits into prior research to give us an emerging picture of the distinctiveness of a Christian school graduate, and considers what this means for Christian school development and education policy. To get more information on Cardus and to download … Read More
Reflections on The Value of a College Education
Recently, one of our juniors asked me, “Do you think the value of a college degree is diminishing? Tuition is rising rapidly, and many college grads seem to have trouble finding jobs.” His question gave me pause. Each day I invite students into conversation about how important it is to give attention to existential (college as part of a pattern … Read More
A Look Back and a Look Ahead 2017
As 2017 begins I took a look back at our blogs since we started CACE to see what resonated with the CACE network. I have highlighted a few of the more popular blogs below as they are worth another read as we begin 2017. A Letter to my Daughter on Her Graduation from High School: This is a timeless piece … Read More
Christian School Identity and Disability: Questions of Faith and Community
It’s a wonder I didn’t quit before I even started. Fresh off from gaining my special education degree (in an era where the famous 94-142 federal bill now known as IDEA was just being implemented), my first job was to teach all the behavior disordered/emotionally disturbed 5th and 6th graders in a public, urban school district. The kids had been … Read More
The CACE Effect: Lessons from Deer Creek
Deer Creek’s story was similar to so many Christian schools’ in metropolitan areas around the country. The school was started by a church 25 years ago. There was a lot of excitement and passion. The school grew…quickly. Then, at about the 18 year mark, populations shifted, and the church moved. Enrollment declined. The budget was squeezed. Teachers took pay cuts. … Read More
Opportunity Costs of the Common Core, or Any System of High Stakes Test Accountability
One of the highlights for me in my work with EL Education is our annual national conference, and the highlight of the conference was always the keynote presentation from the students. Over the past few years we were enthused by 6th graders in Rochester, NY, with their proposal to revitalize the city by rewatering the Erie Canal; stirred by 8th … Read More
Amplifying Talent – Part II
In Amplifying Talent – Part I we shared some of Dr. Carrie Leana’s recent research which challenges the current ideology on school reform. I hope that the phrase school reform is not an offensive one to you. Rather, I hope that you embrace this phrase and consider a slight modification. School re-form, the act of continuously finding innovative (simply defined … Read More
CACE Study: Lessons from Score Group 1
Lessons that come easy are not lessons at all. They are gracious acts of luck. Yet lessons learned the hard way are lessons never forgotten (Don Williams, Jr.). In our recent webinar: CACE Study: Lessons from Score Group 1, the CACE Fellows and school leaders from Score Group 1 shared lessons learned in the areas of board governance and team … Read More