2. Still Playing!

3. SCHOOL MINISTRY CRITICAL TARGETS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION – QUALITY AND MINISTRY ENHANCEMENT SERVING CHILDREN BETTER ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL ALIGNMENTS AND NEW PARTNERSHIPS EXPANDING AND ENHANCING EARLY CHILDHOOD OPPORTUNITIES

4. Number of Accredited Schools

5. Accredited Schools By Type Total: 759

6. Distribution of Co-Accredited Schools (Total: 188)

7. History of NLSA Fees

8. 2015 Candidate Schools Type of School 35 Early Childhood Centers 127 Elementary Schools 15 High Schools 177 Candidates

9. 70 Evidence Based Accreditation 34 Early Childhood Centers 20 AdvancEd entities (24 schools) 2015 Candidate Schools by Protocol used 177 accrediting entities – 182 schools 15 WASC 24 Standards Based 12 Ongoing Improvement 1 Middle States/Ongoing Improvement

10. Our Secular Accrediting Partners Co-accrediting Partnerships - AdvancED, WASC, Middle States Significant Partnerships with State Agencies - Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan (non- public), Minnesota (non-public), Missouri (non-public) Ohio, Tennessee, Texas (non-public) Wisconsin Coalition of Christian School Accreditors Association of Christian Schools International Christian Schools International International Christian Accrediting Association National Christian School Association Our Partnership with the Consortium of Classical Lutheran Education

11. Dr Merry Clark

12. Joel Wahlers

13. Dr. Jackquelyn Veith Cheryl Swope

17. Level and Award Changes Effective Immediately Accredited in Good Standing Accredited with Provision Accredited with Distinction

18. Accredited In Good Standing A school successfully concludes an NLSA process or completes a process associated with recognized accreditation partners, complies with required standards and indicators of success, and is committed to continuing school improvement. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT!

19. Accredited with Provision An accredited school concludes an NLSA process or completes a process associated with recognized accreditation partners. The school has failed to comply with any single required evidence or indicator, or has major deficiencies, but demonstrates a commitment to continuing school improvement. A school using the EBA protocol that is assigned any general indicator rating of “1” results in the automatic designation of Accreditation with Provision.

20. MAJOR DEFICIENCY : Any condition that is based on an NLSA standard which has a severe negative effect on the quality of education, the ministry of the school, and/or endangers the health or safety of the school population. The deficiency must be remedied by the school within the time parameters (no longer than 2 years) prescribed by the visiting team and approved by the NAC.

21. Accredited with Distinction Accreditation with Distinction may be awarded to schools with overall school accreditation averages that fall within the top 5 percent of the group of schools that were accredited within the year. Schools using a protocol other than EBA as their primary accrediting process may be considered upon the request of their district.

22. Identifying Schools with POWERFUL PRACTICES A Powerful Practice is much more than an expectation that quantifies standard compliance. It innovates and exceeds accreditation expectations. It is an uncommon, calculated risk that has resulted in significant reward for the students. Therefore it is a desirable condition that has ramifications for our schools within the LCMS alliance.

23. Identifying Schools with POWERFUL PRACTICES These practices dramatically improve the overall quality of education provided to students by the school or enhances ministry opportunities that are available to the school and its congregation(s).

24. Powerful Practices need not be associated with Schools of Distinction Powerful Practices drive systemic change and innovation.

25. National Accreditation Commission July 29, 2015 2015 Potential Powerful Practices 1)Small School that Thinks BIG Redeemer Lutheran – Verona, PA 2)Art Integration with Special Needs Students Lutheran Special School and Education Services - Milwaukee, WI 3)Junior High Apologetics St. Matthew Lutheran – Walled Lake, MI 4)Maximizing the Impact of an NLSA Process First Lutheran School – Cedarburg, WI

26. NLSA School Shepherd Award Eligibility NLSA visiting teams or district accreditation commissions are encouraged to nominate pastors demonstrating outstanding support, service and encouragement for their schools. Nominations shall be considered based upon evidence presented to and practices that are observed and confirmed by the visiting team during the NLSA site visit. Eligibility for this award is limited to consideration during the year that a school completes its NLSA self study process and engages in a successful site visit. If an NLSA team identifies a pastor they feel is worthy of consideration for the Lutheran School Shepherd Award the team captain may complete an on-line nomination form that is located on the NLSA tab of the Lutheran school portal.

27. The School Shepherd Award A Pastor who is nominated must: Understand and possess a clear philosophy of Lutheran education. Provide spiritual encouragement, guidance and support for the school. Engage regularly with school activities. Work well with the school board and/or parent advisory association. Support school administration. Engage the congregation and community in providing financial support for the school. Receive endorsements from the principal, faculty members, school board members and parents. Receive the endorsement of the district education executive and district president. Have a minimum of 3 years of service at the school in which he serves.

28. Our Greatest Challenge

29. Evidence and Practices provide support for indicator ratings. Evidence - Documentation (handbooks, curriculum maps, lesson plans, meeting minutes, job descriptions, recorded lessons, portfolios, etc.) Practice- Things that you do at your school that support an indicator. These are the way that you do what you do. Rating the Indicators

30. 69 Schools used the Evidence Based Accreditation Protocol Average Score 3.01 In 2014-15

31. 10 schools were awarded scores higher than 3.25 16 schools scoring above the average 53 schools scoring below the average 3.01

32. EBA - Rating the Indicators/ Wording Changes Highly Functional(4) This is an area of outstanding strength of the school. It not only meets ALL of the rubrics related to the general indicator, but is supported by extensive documentation and/or observable practices that exceed expectations related to this indicator. This indicator establishes practices for other Lutheran schools to consider. The Visiting Team will verify that these practices and/or documentation exceed the Operational(3) level. Highly Functional — This is an area of outstanding strength at the school. The preferred condition is documented, understood and accepted by staff, students and school constituents and is easily observable throughout the school. It is supported by observable practices, written documentation and evidence.

33. EBA - Rating the Indicators / Wording Changes Operational(3) This is the expected rating for a strong Lutheran school. ALL rubrics must be met completely for this indicator to be considered Operational. The condition is supported with documentation and/or observable practices that support the rating. Operational — This is the expected operating condition. The condition is in place and functionally supported and practiced. The school performs consistently in this area.

34. EBA - Rating the Indicators/ Wording Changes Emerging (2) If one or more rubrics are not fully met, the rating must be Emerging. Improvement is required in this area. This indicator is recognized as important by the school, but is inconsistently applied. Any rubric not fully met must be addressed in the School Action Plan. Emerging — Improvement is required in this area. The condition is recognized as important by the school but is inconsistently or irregularly applied. It is not supported with sufficient practices, evidence or documentation.

35. EBA - Rating the Indicators/ Wording Changes Not Evident (1) There is observable conflict or deficiency with this indicator at the school. Less than the majority of the expected rubrics are not met or addressed with sufficient practices, evidence, or documentation. This rating shall result in the assignment of Provisional Status. This must be addressed in the School Action Plan. Not Evident — There is observable conflict or deficiency with the condition at the school. The school does not enact this condition.

36. Summary and Response Wording Changes Based on any general indicator ratings of “1” or “2”, the school must develop specific plans to improve. Plans must include specific targeted completion dates and assignments. At the discretion of the school, actions may be developed for indicators that have been rated as “3”.

37. Practice Pre-rating the Indicators

38. READ AND REVIEW YOUR ASSIGNED GENERAL INDICATORS BASED UPON WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED BY THE SCHOOL IN ITS REPORT ASSIGN A PRELIMINARY RATING TO THE INDICATOR DETERMINE WHAT YOU WOULD NEED TO DO AT THE SCHOOL TO VERIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORTS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDICATOR

39. The OPERATIONAL Level (3) is the level of engagement that NLSA expects for the school. When a (3) rating is assigned by the visiting team it indicates that the school is operating acceptably in this area and all of the related rubrics have been completely accomplished. When a school rates an indicator Level (4) Highly Functional it not only complies fully with every associated rubric but exceeds one or more, creating a WOW moment for the visiting team. A highly functional rating is rare and may be associated with a Powerful Practice that may be replicable by other schools. VISITING TEAMS MUST DEMONSTRATE DISCERNMENT

40. MOVING FORWARD WITH EBA Consider and implement suggestions made from districts related to improving the protocol and quality of materials 47 Requests Received from Districts

41. MOVING FORWARD WITH EBA Develop and implement a faith-based student engagement index Provide additional training opportunities (Captains, Consultants, Team Members) Provide staff development for schools Staff and empower visiting teams for success (6 team members)

42. Requests From your National Office Staff Susan Green

43. Processing Changes The NEW and IMPROVED NLSA database Accreditation WITHOUT the portal Paperless Report Submission

44. Changes Coming with Early Childhood Accreditation Rebecca Schmidt

45. 45 Since 1986, no other single program or process has done so much to improve the overall quality of Lutheran schools. Working on behalf of every Lutheran school. Recognizing quality and encouraging commitment to intentional ongoing improvement. Linking schools and leading systemic change.

46. We Thank You Very Much for Playing Well with us in the Sandbox.