ELEA Elementary Accreditation -- It Works!

Susan Kalin, Principal of Bethel Lutheran School, St. Louis, MO

“If I could leave the preaching office and my other duties, or had to do so, there is no other office I would rather have than that of schoolmaster or teacher…for I know that next to that of preaching, this is the best, greatest, and most useful office there is…It surely has to be one of the supreme virtues on earth faithfully to train other people’s children…”
                   ---Martin Luther on Education

     With this thought in their hearts and minds, the staff of Bethel Lutheran School of St. Louis, Missouri, was recently awarded the honor of being the first academic institution to receive the new accreditation from the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association.  They were part of a 2003-2004 pilot program of accreditation using national standards in outcome based education.

     This objective was accomplished with the full support of the entire Bethel community and in particular five full time and two part time teachers, an administrator, a nine member school board and eight member steering committee.  This group, combined with the effort of the congregation, sought to improve the options available to the sixty-five students who attend classes from kindergarten through grade eight.  Training for the school board president and administrator was held in Chicago prior to starting this year long procedure.

     Collectively, the school board provided release time for teachers to collaborate on curriculum.  Monthly staff meetings were used to write and to collect artifacts (student produced work that showed evidence that a national standard was met) for all curriculum areas.

     Members of the steering committee, with real world experience to complement their roles, developed other areas with full input from the staff.  Much of this work was completed over the summer and early fall. 

     Mr. Laws, School Board president, entered the self-study document on a web site (www.bethelkids.org/accreditationreport) so that the accreditation team could preview the documentation prior to their arrival in St. Louis.  This also helped members of the steering committee collaborate for development of the document during the long process.  Several members of the steering committee and congregation oversaw the three months' creation of portfolios which could be updated and used as an on-going tool to evaluate teachers and administrators.

     The teachers spent nine months taking the next step by implementing curricula.  The curriculum of the self-study document was developed from the artifacts and write-ups from contributing staff in all grade levels on the various aspects of the course of study.  During this time, teachers collaborated and reviewed what was taught throughout the entire school.  Truly this was a time to see what was good and what could be improved.  It also provided all the teachers the opportunity to learn what concepts and projects were taught at the different grade levels. This allowed for the integration of the different grade levels as we move toward the goal of excellence in education.

     The four person visitation team arrived in November and spent four days evaluating the progress that Bethel Lutheran School made, as well as contributing helpful insights.  During this time the visitation team reinforced the best that Bethel offers that is often taken for granted by members of the Bethel community.  The team was able to review all the material and write their report while on site.  Much of what was needed was on the web site and could be accessed for links and confirmation of all programs that needed to be reviewed.  Each member of the team interviewed teachers, staff, pastor and administrator to collect information that was not in written form or needed clarification.

     In the end, the document will be used for a school wide improvement plan.  The recognition of accreditation throughout the St. Louis community is worth the time and effort and will be used in future publications and brochures.   Only with the collaboration of everyone working toward a common goal was Bethel Lutheran School able to receive the national recognition and accolade of accreditation.  The Lord has blessed us that together we have accomplished this important goal for the students and their families.

Sandy Kalin, Bethel School Principal, can be reached at mrsk@bethelkids.org. 

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