Expanding Curricular Offerings to WELS Schools through ALHS Online

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By Dr. Jim Grunwald

Imagine being able to attend a course taught from a Scriptural perspective no matter where you live. With ALHS Online, you can do just that. But what is ALHS Online, how did it develop, and what is its future?

It all began in 2010 when the WELS Association of Lutheran High Schools (ALHS) created a committee to explore the possibility of WELS high schools sharing online courses and instructors. It was felt that this might allow each school to expand their own curricular offerings in a cost-effective manner, and thus strengthen each school’s individual program of instruction. Hence, a two-year pilot program was launched in 2011-12, with three courses offered the first semester and two the second. Tuition costs were kept as low as possible at $150 per student, per course, per semester. Continue reading →

No Time for Continuing Education?

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Written by John Meyer

We don’t have time for continuing education! That’s what nearly 8 of 10 Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod (WELS) teachers reported in an August 2014 survey (figure 1).  It’s not surprising. According to the 2003-04 School and Staffing Survey, WELS teachers spend more time per week (60.4 hours) on all teaching-related activities than any other group of teachers—public or private (see 2003-2004 School and Staffing Survey). At the same time, Lutheran teachers in the early part of their careers are most interested in growing professionally (figure 2), but they also report being the most pressed for time (figure 3). Continue reading →

Lutheran Schools Need to Get Parents Involved

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By Julianne Foelske

Many Lutheran schools are interested in improving student achievement, building trust between families and the school, and helping students make greater academic gains. An increase in parental involvement has been shown to achieve all of these goals. Lutheran schools should develop a parental involvement plan for the benefit of their students and families. Continue reading →

Science and Nature in WELS Elementary Schools Part 2

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Part Two: Teaching Nature of Science and History of Science

Written by Paul E. Lutze

Purpose: While science uses human reason to explain the world in which we live, our WELS schools focus on Christ. We use God’s Word as the absolute truth in all we teach. Immediately, a red flag goes up. Can Lutheran schools adopt national or state science standards and still remain Lutheran? Continue reading →

How does your Lutheran school’s continuing education funding measure up?

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2014 Survey Report: Part One

by Dr. John Meyer

Nearly 1,500 Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod (WELS) teachers responded to the August 2014 continuing education email survey—representing early childhood, elementary, and high school teachers proportionately across all 12 WELS districts (figure 1 and figure 2). Though 74% of WELS teachers reported they planned to take a course and 35% planned to work toward a degree or certificate (2012 survey), less than half carried out their plans (figure 3). They cited lack of time and money as the major reasons (figure 4). This first article examines the survey findings related to lack of money. Continue reading →

Science and the Bible in WELS Elementary Schools Part 1

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Part One: Science Professional Development for WELS Elementary School Teachers

Written by Paul E. Lutze

Purpose: During the past three decades, I have seen a shift in science attitudes among our staff, students, and families in our small WELS school in the Midwest. Students have been sheltered from science’s glaring errors. Students (and teachers) have ridiculed certain aspects of science only to become themselves the object of ridicule when they move on to high school and college. They graduate from our school not really knowing science or how to defend their Christian beliefs. The Bible has been unintentionally turned into a science textbook using human reason to explain how Scripture verifies or rejects a scientific idea. And attempts are made to use science to verify the Bible. Questions and doubt arise as to what God really said and did in Genesis. Scripture tells us in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (NIV84). Continue reading →

From Brain Calisthenics to Heritage Promulgation, Music Can Do (Almost) Anything!

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By James Groth

Do you remember doing calisthenics in your high school phy ed class? They seemed rather pointless, but the concept was that through stretches and cardiovascular exercises, you would prepare your body for the physical rigors of the class. Your brain needs calisthenics too. Preparing your brain for learning  is just one of the many special abilities music exhibits. Because music education provides a host of benefits for students, Lutheran educators should maintain a special and cherished place for God’s gift of music and its many unique qualities. Continue reading →

Character Education: Implications for Lutheran Schools

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By: Seth Fitzsimmons

As the fabric of American society unravels and reports of school and societal violence increase, a renewed emphasis on character education (CE) is sweeping public schools. What implication, if any, does this have for Lutheran schools? With biblical teachings at the center of its curriculum, Lutheran schools may be positioned to capitalize on the CE wave. Continue reading →

ESL? What does that mean for Lutheran schools?

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By: Mark Zondag

Remember singing the song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, every color, every race–all are covered by his grace, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”  I remember singing that song when I was growing up.  I have taught that song to children but, how often do we really think about these words?  If we really consider the lyrics, do we actually reflect the attitude of this song in our schools?  Can we say, by objectively looking around at the ethnicities of our students, that God does love all the little children?  If schools are meant as a means of outreach, are we reaching out into all communities or just one? Continue reading →

Common Core State Standards: A WELS Perspective

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By: Duane Vance

In the last few years, the Common Core State Standards have been a controversial topic among educators, politicians, and the general public who have heard various accounts in the media. At the present time, the content of the standards, their implementation, and the politics that surround them cause passionate debate between those who view the standards as the next best step in education and those who oppose the initiative altogether. The Common Core State Standards were developed with public education in mind, so where does that leave private schools in their relationship to the standards? In particular, how should WELS schools view and use the standards, if at all? Leadership and decisions makers in WELS schools need to familiarize themselves with this issue and be prepared to provide a sound answer to parents and other stakeholders in the school as to their approach. Continue reading →