Missional school?

In the competitive marketplace of private, Christian schools - I am often asked about what separates Lutheran High School from the competition.  I have often responded that LHS is "missional."  Here's what I mean:

Christian schools combine two distinct missions into one.  They deliver in the education arena and also in the spiritual arena.  In the spiritual arena, the majority of Christian schools are focused in on "raising up spiritual champions" in a community of like-minded believers.  What an awesome mission that is!

Yet, I think LHS is slightly different.  I have described LHS as a school that "God uses to seek and save the lost AND that trains up spiritual champions who God will use to seek and save the lost."  Notice the difference?  We aren't just a country club for wealthy believers.  We seek to reach the lost in our school environment.  We seek to reach the lost outside of our school environment.

Think for a minute about how one might measure the success of a missional school: Number of students baptized? How many families came to know Jesus from their son or daughter's lecture notes?  Number of lives transformed?

Nothing used to fire me up more than alumni who returned to tell me stories of challenging their college professors, starting ministries, or doing mission work.  I am now equally as fired up by stories of students who came to LHS not really knowing their Savior and how God used LHS as a means to work faith in them.

National School Choice Week

While I'm not an activist, I do follow what goes on in the world of school choice.  This week is National School Choice Week and a Townhall meeting is coming to Douglas County on Tuesday night, January 24, 2012.  Click here for more details.

Why his children are in Lutheran schools . . .

While my little Lights are not quite school aged yet, Dave Black has a handle on the essence of Lutheran education - check it out here.

Helping kids cheat . . .

A teacher explains why she would help her high school kids cheat on standardized tests.

Notice the justification and rationalization.  Does anyone ever just admit "bad judgment"and "lack of morals and ethics?"  That would be refreshing.

The essence of Lutheran education . . .

Something I read recently about Lutheran education:

The essence of any Lutheran school is its workers. Called or committed Lutheran church workers are the foundation of Lutheran Christian education. The beauty of Lutheran high school education is found in the relationships that are formed between students and teachers – relationships defined by a proper balance of law and Gospel that consistent Lutheran theology produces. (Not to go to deep theologically, but it accounts for truly being able to “love the sinner, but hate the sin” – a very important aspect of running a high school.) This also makes for an appealing environment for Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike because it fosters both academic and spiritual growth. That “essence” isn’t found just in theology classes or chapels, but in every interaction between the workers and the families. Lutheran schools are a place for discipline and growth, but also for forgiveness and mercy – and trust me, we all need that. Lutheran schools, unlike most other Christian schools, serve a dual spiritual purpose: they train up Christian kids to be spiritual champions and they serve as a means to save the lost. One need not already be saved to attend a Lutheran high school.

Facebook posting 101 . . . .

I'm sure the news will be full of these type of stories in the future. Posting publicly on Facebook is being treated just as if it was spoken in public - therefore the school used suspension as a means of discipline.

The Other End of the Spectrum

Amidst the debate on school choice and vouchers, it should be noted that an even stronger "anti-public money" view of education exists.  Interesting viewpoint from the Libertarian world:

The value of a college education

Bill Gates thinks a college education should be free!?!?  Interesting article that discusses the changing value of a college education in today's world - As information becomes instantly accessible and all the world's best teaching is online - what is left for schools to do? 

I have often thought that schools will become places where students learn how to interact effectively and learn how to have relationships with others. 

Craziness

Um . . . yikes.

A Round of Applause for . . . .Catholic Education!

Interesting article on Catholic education and its effect on income later in life.  The statistics teacher in me is looking for the lurking variable, (demographics? God's blessings? etc.) but I'll let the reader decide.

Maybe principals will become obsolete

I've often wondered if school will really look different sometime in my lifetime.  The author of this article seems to think many different things will become obsolete.  I sure hope she is right.

Social Media and Teachers

Does it seem common sense for a teacher NOT to blog about specific things that happen with students?  Apparently not if school districts have to spend money to train teachers about appropriate social media use.

Fallacies in Education

I had the pleasure of hearing Randy Trani speak at a conference recently.  He's outside the box, controversial, but brilliant in his assessments of how we educate children.  And, he's getting results.  Looking forward to reading his book, Fallacies in Education.

Luving English

I've seen this coming for a while.  I've noticed it in the way that kids, when forced to use email, will compose their messages.  Now it seems to be taking over written work as well.

My favorite line in the article is when the young man just claims that his entire generation is just lazy.  Hilarious.

It's been a while . . .

Through the challenges of our school year - I haven't done much blogging! It's time to start again. Especially since so much is going on in the public school world. Never has the material been richer. Looking forward to getting back at it.