Ed Policy Chaos: Why it Matters to Christian Schools

Erik EllefsenSchool Leaders, The CACE Roundtable1 Comment

Introduction: Education policy in the United States has moved from a period of change into a time of chaos. The predominant policies and actions of the past fifty years have been turned on their head through federal government legislation, private money, and exceptions to nearly every pre-established rule. In a sense, we are exiting what I call the “Teacher Union … Read More

Incarnational Christian Education: More than Concepts, Objectives and Standards

Chad DirkseSchool Leaders, The CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

In his recent CACE Blog, Dan Beerens effectively challenges educators to raise levels of student inquiry with well-crafted Essential Questions that engage students in active learning while encouraging a spirit of respect and humility.  To illustrate the value of Essential Questions he points us to questions Jesus asked during his incarnational ministry on earth. Jesus’ question “who do you think I … Read More

Charter Schools: The False Choice (Part II)

Erik EllefsenInnovationLeave a Comment

Charter schools on the whole have not provided the same results of the few excellent charter school networks. A short review of the research and opinions on charter schools provides a much less hopeful narrative that the Three Sector approach can effectively create quality change throughout American education.

Charter Schools: The False Choice (Part I)

Erik EllefsenThe CACE Roundtable1 Comment

“Charter schools are the devil,” I blurted out as I listened long enough to two friends talk about the new push for a Three Sector policy approach to educational change in the United States.  After they got over their astonishment at my statement realizing it was another one of my strong opinions, they asked for explanation.   At this point I … Read More

But I’ve Earned the Right To…

Chad DirkseThe CACE Roundtable1 Comment

The older I get and the more tread comes off my tires, the more my eyes are opened to my warped sense of identity and value.  As I rewind the story of my career as an educator and educational leader, I witness far too many scenes where I have fallen prey to a defensiveness in the face of conflict and … Read More

Heart-Shaped Leadership

Dan BeerensThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

As I have observed various organizations over the years, I have repeatedly seen how critical leadership is to the health and flourishing of the organization. One of the most important aspects of leadership in a Christian organization is the spiritual passion/vitality of the leader – it truly does flow down from the top to the rest of the organization and … Read More

Excuses: A Reflection on “Calling” from Jeremiah 1: 4-10

The Center for the Advancement of Christian EducationThe CACE RoundtableLeave a Comment

The problem with certain questions is that they tend to assume too much.   “When will you be starting a family of your own,” the well-meaning aunt asks the recently married couple, assuming first that these newlyweds will surely want to have children and second that their marriage to one another is somehow not already its own family.  “Who was … Read More