One of the great strengths of the schools within The Lutheran Schools Partnership is their desire to use the gifts the Lord has given them in order to excel at what they do.
One mark of excellence is accreditation. While there are multiple systems of accreditation, and some of our schools use more than one, the benchmark for excellence as a Lutheran school is National Lutheran Schools Accreditation, or NLSA. During this 21/22 school year, 8 of our schools will have completed their self study, had a validation team visit and applied for accreditation.
NLSA is an evidence-based accreditation process in which schools must submit numerous pieces of evidence in seven domains: Purpose (Mission), Relationships, Leadership, Professional Personnel, Teaching and Learning, Student Services, and Facilities.
Schools undertake an extensive self-study of these areas, and then an accreditation team visits the school to review the evidence, perform classroom observations, and meet with school constituents. Schools are then applauded for their strengths, affirmed in the areas of growth they have self-identified, and given additional feedback to support and strengthen their ministry. The Indiana State Board of Education recognizes NLSA as an approved third-party accreditation. Details on NLSA and its processes can be found on its website.
One of the goals of The Lutheran Schools Partnership (TLSP) is to support our schools in their work toward National Lutheran Schools Accreditation. Section 5 on Teaching and Learning includes this heading, “The school’s curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices guide and ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning.”
Sure doesn’t sound much different than anything expected in any classroom, right? However, the first required indicator of Section 5 is, “The teaching of the Christian faith is recognized as the major purpose of the school, is allotted appropriate time in the daily schedule, and is integrated intentionally throughout the curriculum and instruction.” This indicator is a primary differentiator that sets NLSA apart from other accreditation systems, and is rightly placed first on the list. It affirms that a major purpose of our schools is to teach the faith. Teachers in our schools are trained to teach the faith across the curriculum, in all subject areas.
One of our goals as TLSP is ongoing support for teaching the faith. When TLSP teachers come together for professional development, we worship together, pray together, and collaborate on ways in which we can point students to Jesus. We strive to choose speakers and leaders who exemplify what it is to teach the faith. These speakers share their own faith and their presentations align well with our desire to differentiate our schools from public schools. Our blog posts often are themed under Christian Life, Lutheran Spirit and Christian Leadership.
On the topic of teaching the faith, this quote from Martin Luther seems as timely today as ever, “I am much afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount.” As the policies and influences of so many organizations, including some public school systems, no longer align to Scripture, what a blessing it is to know that our Lutheran schools are intentionally teaching the Christian faith.
Teaching the faith is living the faith - one can’t have one and not the other. It’s like those who separate mission mindedness and sound theology. They can’t be separated. Living the faith in our schools is worship, it’s prayer, it’s a worldview that provides perspective in science, history and reading. Living the faith provides reflection that is shown in art and music. Living the faith is seen in the sportsmanship of athletes and coaches.
NLSA is a great test. If you care to hear about your school’s improvement efforts as outlined in a recent NLSA process, check in with your school’s principal. For the school’s related boards, be sure to know the improvement plan that was adopted in the most recent NLSA effort. It’s a strong piece for a board’s work in governing and leading.
