Over the past few months I have shared my thoughts on the chaos that current education policy has both become and created (“Ed Policy Chaos: Why It Matters”). My argument is that charter schools are not a viable option to those of us who support greater levels of educational choice within the American education system (Part I and Part II). … Read More
What’s Going to be Different this School Year? 10 Questions for Christian School Leaders to Consider.
Dear School Leader, As you get on the train or jet (choose your metaphor!) called school and get it rolling toward take-off, I would like to pose ten questions for consideration: 1. Will students and parents clearly see how passion, mission, people, and practice all come together at your school this year? Is what you are doing distinctively Christian? 2. … Read More
What Do We Deserve?
I recently read two articles that spurred my thinking on this “what do we deserve?” as it relates to Christian schools. I don’t want these sources to take responsibility for my thinking, but I do want to acknowledge them. Chad Dirkse, recently wrote a blog on the CACE website entitled, “But I’ve Earned the Right To…” It was a great reminder of … Read More
The Call of Cardus
Most Christian schools I know have similar elements in their mission statements. Usually there is a part about spiritual development – its Christian after all. There is also some acknowledgement about academics given that we’re talking about school. And then there is life or culture component, a nod to the impact of the school beyond graduation. These statements also contribute … Read More
Ed Policy Chaos: Why it Matters to Christian Schools
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
Teacher Evaluation from a Christian Perspective
What we believe about humans as image-bearers is made manifest in our professional development systems: if we say all people can learn, we should put in place systems of evaluation/professional growth processes that demonstrate that belief and promote growth.
The Problem with Teacher Evaluation Today
As a more than casual observer of the teacher evaluation and teacher professional growth scene over the last thirty years, I feel a deep sense of discouragement about this aspect of our profession. The current national situation in teacher evaluation seems to indicate that we are likely to repeat past mistakes. Why do we keep trying to quantify, rank, and … Read More
Incarnational Christian Education: More than Concepts, Objectives and Standards
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
Becoming a Digitally-Competent Teacher
It kind of drives me crazy when educators try to argue that they don’t need to be tech savvy. Yes, it takes work to keep up with rapidly changing technologies. No, not every new tech tool (toy?) needs to be adopted into a formal education setting. But it’s not 1989, people. I think it’s safe to say that computer technology … Read More
Technology and Innovation
I’m the first to admit it: I’m a technophile. I subscribe to Wired magazine. I love my iProducts. I enjoy networking with other educators through social media. And I am a techie-teacher–I’m always experimenting with new technologies in my classroom! It’s not that I think technology can solve all of our educational problems or make us into super-teachers. But I think technology … Read More