ACSI Blog -

Vance Nichols | September 17, 2018

“Now or Never”: The Research Basis for Innovation in Christian Schools

In Schools at Risk: An Analysis of Factors Endangering the Evangelical Christian School Movement in America (Nichols 2016), I investigated the nature, causes, and contributing factors to Christian school closures in the U.S. since 2006. A goal of the study was to identify implications for practice that these factors held for the future, as well as develop a set of recommendations to address this issue of school closure.

PODCAST: Addressing Mental Health Needs and Challenges in Christian Schools

Christian school students present with a number of mental health needs and challenges. School leaders can benefit from learning about best practices for addressing those needs and challenges in the Christian school setting.

Inclusive Education: One Christian School’s Journey

It’s that time of year again! As students and parents are enjoying those last few days of summer and maybe beginning to feel some anxious thoughts about a new school year, teachers are busy preparing for their new students (and maybe having some anxious thoughts of their own). They’re wondering, “What will this class be like? What strengths and challenges will these students bring with them? How will I meet all those needs in one room?”

Belonging and Disability in the Christian School

When I hear the dreams of parents of a child with a disability, they often share a hope for belonging for their son or daughter. They have a desire for their child to belong to a community, marked by genuine friendships, after-school activities, valuable classroom learning, and ultimately, an encounter with God’s love. Truthfully, their dreams are not any different than any parent’s dreams for their child.

Innovation: Moving Beyond Debate to Constructive Action

What is Innovation? When you think of the word “innovation,” what images or ideas come to mind? This is not a rhetorical question! Invoking the word “innovation” in education is a bit like challenging someone to a Rorschach test.

Making Schooling Choices in a Competitive Schooling Market

This month's podcast discusses the joint Barna-ACSI research report entitled “Multiple Choice: How Parents Sort Education Options in a Changing Market” which came out in 2017, addresses the educational needs of today’s families, how they make schooling choices in a competitive schooling market, and the implications for Christian schools.

Flourishing School Culture Initiative: An Invitation

How do Christian schools flourish? What elements of school culture contribute to flourishing, and do some elements matter more than others? Does flourishing look different across different schools—rather than a one-size-fits-all definition? Is there a roadmap to school flourishing that is backed by empirical research in Christian schools?