National Lutheran Schools Week provides the network of over 2,000 LCMS preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work in Lutheran schools.
In this, Lutheran schools thank God for the opportunity to provide excellent academic preparation for the children they serve and for the opportunity to share Jesus’ amazing love with students and their families.
National Lutheran Schools Week gives schools the ability to proclaim these great blessings within the communities they serve. Lutheran schools are amazing incubators for faithful witness of God’s love through Christ by teachers and students alike.
“Real. Present. God.” is the theme for the 2019 National Lutheran Schools Week celebration. The associated scripture verse is Psalm 46 and schools are encouraged to pick a portion of the Psalm which applies specifically to their school!
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Chapel Talks is produced by the LCMS School Ministry office and permission is granted to reproduce Chapel Talks for use in school and ministry worship services. For more information about Chapel Talks, contact LCMS School Ministry at 888-THE LCMS (843-5267) or via email at School.Ministry@lcms.org.
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What is Lutheran School Consulting Services?
The purpose of Lutheran School Consulting Services (LSCS) is to strengthen and revitalize Lutheran schools so God’s children are well served and His kingdom expanded. LSCS focuses on the school and its ministry. As schools are strengthened, so are congregations and their ministries.
LSCS uses a specific process to assess, evaluate, and make relevant recommendations based around the various needs of the ministry requesting assistance. Trained assessors and consultants work hand in hand with ministries throughout the entire process to ensure that their needs are met and their overall ministries are strengthened.
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What is the SLED Program?
Since 1996, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod has conducted School Leadership Recruitment and Training processes through the School Leadership Development Project (SLED). Its purpose is “To identify and recruit thirty leadership participants serving in Lutheran schools and train them through two national SLED events conducted by LCMS School Ministry.” As a result, nearly 400 potential administrative candidates have been prepared for leadership in Lutheran schools.
District Education Executives identify and nominate outstanding educators currently serving in Lutheran schools for participation in SLED. Candidates are then selected by the SLED Project Management Team and trained over the course of a year at two national SLED events with an online component throughout the year. At these events, candidates receive leadership training designed specifically for school leaders serving in Lutheran schools, are mentored by well-respected, experienced administrators, and complete a major project that will benefit the schools where they currently serve. At the conclusion of the year, participants receive the School Leadership Endorsement from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, enhancing their eligibility for placement as Lutheran school administrators. Additionally, participants can select the option to complete SLED for three hours of graduate credit from Concordia University.
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What is NLSA?
National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) serves as the accrediting body for Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod schools across the United States and the world. NLSA has been accrediting schools in the LCMS since 1978, and accreditation decisions have always been based upon a school’s compliance with national standards for Lutheran schools that reflect the essential qualities that are expected of Lutheran schools.
The purpose of an NLSA self-study is to evaluate the actual conditions in place that are related to essential indicators of school quality. These are evaluated and measured in seven specific standard areas. In order to become accredited in good standing with NLSA, a school must comply fully with 30 required indicators of success. Additionally, the school must evaluate itself on a scale of 1-4 (4 being the highest rating) using a variety of general indicators that quantify how it complies with standards in each accreditation area. Ratings are established by the school based upon evidence and practices that are in place at the time of the self-study. Ratings allow a school to identify and celebrate unique strengths and address concerns that need corrective actions.
As a part of the process, each school is responsible to construct a school action plan based on concerns identified in its self-study. Actions are required for all conditions that have been given a rating of 1 or 2. The actions that are planned by the school ensure continuous improvement and schools are accountable to their district accreditation commission for annual progress. Upon conclusion of the self-study, an NLSA visiting team validates that the information prepared by the school accurately reflects the actual conditions that are present at the school. In a formal, two-day visit, the team examines evidence, interviews school stakeholders, visits classrooms and observes overall school practices. If the evidence presented does not sufficiently support a school rating, the visiting team has the authority to change the school’s rating in its report.
National Lutheran School Accreditation encourages, assists, and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. The Evidence Based Accreditation (EBA) process allows for the fulfillment of this mission effectively thereby providing a valuable service to Lutheran schools.
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