The Warrior Round Table

Why Don't Students Like School?

Number one - they don't attend LRCA. The heart for school among our students at LRCA is unusually healthy.

I credit this positive phenomenon to four realities:

• our students' maturity
• parental support and presence
• the vibrancy of over 80 churches feeding our students AND
• the love of our teachers for our students

Number two - they may be telling us something.

There is a new book that I recommend for every educator and, perhaps, even the parent who is curious about some basic presuppositions of our learner services stance at LRCA.  Dr. Turner, Mr. Neff and Mrs. Chami have read the book and we are excited about many of the observations that will help our teachers empower their practice "by revealing the importance of story, emotion, memory, context and routine in building knowledge and creating lasting learning experiences."

The book is entitled, you may have guessed, Why Don't Students Like School by Daniel Willingham (Jossey-Bass, 2009).

From the book cover: "Kids are naturally curious, but when it comes to school it seems like their minds are turned off. Why is it that they can remember the smallest details from their favorite TV show, yet miss the most obvious questions on their history test?"

Using his acclaimed research in cognitive science and brain biology, Willingham (University of Virginia) constructs a set of nine guiding principles for teachers that have clear application for the classroom - yes, even the LRCA classroom. 

For example, "learning styles" per se don't exist. Or, should we say, children are more similar than different.

Here's another: intelligence is malleable. Children are different but intelligence can be increased through hard work.

You'll love this one: you cannot develop "thinking skills" in the absence of facts.

Got you curious? It's aimed at teachers but check it out and see if helps us all better understand the complexity (and simplicity) of learning.

Gary B. Arnold

In advance of the fourth of July

This May, a LRCA board member spoke at the The King's College (NY) commencement ceremony in Manhattan and, I am told, the thrust of the speech mirrored his gripping address at the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock earlier this year.

In advance of the fourth of July, it is appropriate to touch on the simple message he carried on a single piece of paper to the Governor's prayer breakfast and the commencement podium.

• There are three freedoms: economic, political and spiritual. These three freedoms are dependent on each other in ascending order.

• Economic freedom breeds political freedom; political freedom breeds spiritual (religious) freedom. 

• The reverse is equally true, according to our board member.

• The loss of economic freedom erodes political freedom; the erosion of political freedom restricts spiritual (religious) freedom.

Think about it. How important is freedom to you? Your economic freedom? Your political freedom? Your religious freedom? 

On the fourth of July, Little Rock Christian families will celebrate our country and the freedom she promises - economic, political and religious.  I am grateful that our school is held in trust by wise board leadership that recognizes the beauty and the power of freedom. I am grateful that our children have the freedom to attend a school where they can pursue and encounter the freedom of truth. As the Messiah says, we shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free. 

Before the fireworks of July 4 fill the twilight sky, ask yourself the question: how important is your freedom? Have you thanked God today for freedom, specifically the freedom to create your family's economic and spiritual future? 

Gary B. Arnold

  

Vacation?

By God's grace and for God's glory ...

• 109 grads are ready for college.
• The new high school will be ready for the first day of school, August 19th.
• Between now and then, we'll be renovating the elementary building and elementary gym, the fine arts building and the "new" middle school.
• Warrior field and the new practice fields will see new sod.
• Our campus expansion will be landscaped to city code. 
• The former middle school becomes a temporary field house.

 

The Warrior Roundtable will reconvene on June 1.

Gary Arnold

Accountability, part two

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette headline: "Push on for K-12 national criteria."

The cry for national academic standards has been audible for years, even decades.

It is nothing new. And, there are reasons - good reasons - why the argument has not been adopted. As good as it sounds, think about it.

Are the goals of all schools the same?

Do Montessori or Waldorf schools seek a common learning template for all eight year olds? The eight year old is the learning template. The learning is individualized, not nationalized. And, the parents know what they are getting for their money. 

What if one school bases the curriculum on research that believes in the early introduction of reading and math and another school bases their curriculum on research that encourages just the opposite? Which school is right? Who decides? 

The government or the parents?

What about charter schools that specialize to serve an educational niche? When is the niche too narrow? How can national standards foster inter-disciplinary learning where a student chooses to delve deep, and not wide?

Do we want a bureaucracy or, as Camden-Fairview superintendent Jerry Guess says, the "smartest people we know in the room," to determine what your children can learn and what is not worth learning?

Do we want a governmental agency deciding that a biblical view of origins or a free market view of economics or a Western view of history is old school and not an acceptable standard?

Schools are a local endeavor; parents know this. What is good for Sam, may not be good for Brenda; parents know this. What is good for California might not be quite as good for New York. And, vice versa. New York knows what is best for New York. California know what is best for California. That is why people choose to live in one place or the other. Personally, I like living in Arkansas and developing a curriculum that partners with people of the Christian faith. If I wanted something different, there are other places and other curricula from which to choose. 

Aldous Huxley's famous line, "You pays [sic] your money, you takes [sic] your choice," assumes choice is good.  What is the choice with national standards? About the same as Henry Ford's Model T - any color, as long as it is black.   

           

Gary B. Arnold

Whatever it takes?!

Kane Webb's editorial in the May 3 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette says it all:

"Because some folks are mad at the football teams at one or two private schools, they want to punish all [21] of them. In the name of Fairness, of course."

Mr. Webb's vision into the future is both funny and sad. Funny, because of the odd logic of unfairly pursuing fairness.  Sad, because "some folks" are acting like poor sports who change the rules when the game is not leaning in their favor.

Won't it make everyone feel better when public school teams can be unrivaled champions - especially since the rivals not allowed to play? As all good competitors like to say: whatever it takes. 

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/may/03/columnists-private-schools-keep-out-20090503/

Accountability

Last week, our U.S. secretary of education, Arne Duncan, said,"We need a culture of accountability in America's education system if we want to be the best in the world."

I like that sentence for three reasons:

1. It's true. Every presidential administration in our lifetime has said the same thing -most notably, the Bush Administration who demanded that schools be accountable for their mission, promises and funding through a rigorous set of standards that, curiously, remain pretty much intact for the present Administration. 

Page one headline from the education establishment journal, Education Week (April 8, 2009): "Obama Echoes Bush On Education Ideas."

Obama: "set high standards, have high expectations ... cultivate a new culture of accountability in America's schools."

G.W. Bush: "insist on high standards and accountability ... every school should teach."

Bill Clinton: "all successful schools followed the same proven formula: high standards, more accountability, so all children can reach those standards."

G.H.W. Bush: "Accountability, flexibility, tougher standards, [results] - all of these have got to be out there on the table." 

2. Of all the schools in the nation, religious and independent schools are the most accountable. How is that? If we do not fulfill our mission and our promises, our funding evaporates overnight. The paying public (who, by the way, pays twice. Once, through taxation and, then again, through tuition.) can decide to pay someone else.  Now that's accountability. We either do what we say we'll do or ...  the old adage comes true: our citizens will vote with their feet. 

Maybe that is why government schools fear school choice, even their own attempt at choice through charter schools. 

3. We do want to be the best in the world. "Best in the world" sounds pretty competitive for an Administration that has a relative distaste for capitalism and, for that matter, free market competition. Mr. Duncan had the same goal for the Chicago Public Schools. DIdn't work out for him but, at least, he knows he wants to win.

Here is how we can win: when schools are truly accountable and when the educational playing field is truly competitive (i.e. full public and private school choice), people will vote with their feet. 

The monopoly will be over. America's schools will, again, be the best in the world.

Gary B. Arnold 

 

We are...

Dually accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Agency (ANSAA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Little Rock Christian Academy is best known as a competitive, independent, Christian college-preparatory school with a track record of producing joyful, accomplished and lifelong learners.

Competitive … Eight seniors earned the exceptional status of National Merit Finalist. Ninety-four seniors qualified to apply for an Arkansas Governor’s Scholarship. Seventeen of the ninety-four qualified to apply for a Distinguished Governor’s Scholarship of $10,000/yr for four years. The LRCA high school ACT average is 24.7. In addition, the arts and athletic programs have brought the school an impressive roster of awards, honors and championships.

Independent … LRCA is governed by an independent board of trustees. Independent of both the church and the state, Little Rock Christian is very much aligned with the independent school model as it fosters excellent teaching, free inquiry and well-rounded students. Over 1,275 students from 750 families are served by over 150 faculty and staff members.

Christian … Distinctly non-denominational, LRCA holds to a common evangelical statement of faith and enjoys the energetic diversity of a broad spectrum of denominations and eighty different churches. One of the most important components of LCRA is the biblical worldview curriculum. Worldview courses challenge students to think about and grow in their faith in authentic ways enabling them to be stronger leaders. Based on the adage that “all truth is God’s truth,” our students learn to discern that which is noble and good and pursue it with all their heart.

College-Prep … 100% of the school's 109 graduates are heading to college, most of them with scholarship money in hand. Little Rock Christian prepares students to thrive - academically, spiritually and socially - in the college or university of their choice. Feedback from colleges is clear: LRCA graduates have the communication and critical-thinking skills necessary for a strong transition to higher ed. Whether it be our personal college guidance process, a slate of AP offerings or a positive peer group, our graduates are ready to succeed in-state and out-of-state colleges. West Point, University of Virginia, MIT, Wheaton, Baylor, University of Arkansas,University of Tulsa, Ouachita Baptist represent a dynamic sample of our college placement list.

School … LRCA’s nine buildings occupy a 53 acre campus. A new 53,000 sq ft high school will be dedicated in August 2009. The new high school features state-of-the-art science labs, a technology/media hub and improved classroom space. The whole campus is experiencing a transformation. 

We are ... growing "in stature and wisdom and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52)

Gary B. Arnold

"... but only God who gives the growth." (I Cor. 3:7)

Odd verse to prompt a post on student character but, somehow, in my mind, the linkage is there.

A legacy Christian educator and colleague, Dr. David Roth, once noted six indicators that the training of character is being accomplished at home and in school.

1. the student's view of authority

2. the student's manners

3. the student's discernment of right and wrong

4. the student's appearance

5. the student's work ethic

6. the student's understanding of the purpose of education, i.e., why we go to school and why learning is an important life skill

Pondering this list, how is your son or daughter growing in the area of character development?

• Does your son or daughter respect authority?

• Is your son or daughter polite and considerate?

• Does your son or daughter make wise choices based a clear sense of right and wrong?

• Does your son or daughter care enough about himself/herself to dress appropriately in public?

• Does your son or daughter appreciate the value of hard work and find satisfaction in it?

• Does your son or daughter recognize the value of learning? Is your child curious? Does your child realize the joy of discovery?

My reason for referencingI Corinthians 3:7 in the title of this post is grounded in our Warrior core value of partnership between home, church and school. The golden triangle. "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

We cannot infuse good character into our students apart from your home and church. I daresay your responsibility to infuse your children with good character effectively without the harmonious reinforcement of church and school looms like the north face of Pinnacle Mountain on a rainy day. Every day, we commit to infuse young lives with godly character but know this: the Bible says, "neither he who plants [you] nor he who waters [your home, your church, your Christian school] is anything, but only God who gives the growth."   

The power of the Holy Spirit in your home, church and school will make the character difference we all desire and earnestly labor. Without His power, we will come up short. It's a partnership like none other. Let's roll.

Gary B. Arnold

"Joined together ... built together" (Eph 2:21-22)

... with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."  (Ephesians 2:20-22)

Paul's figurative language is insightful. With a major construction project outside my west window, Paul reminds me that the building that really counts, really endures is ... you and me. Joined together, built together, we are the dwelling of God. Yes, the new high school, the relocated middle school and the expanded elementary school are key to our campus transformation and mission effectiveness. But, it is what happens INSIDE those building that counts.

And, what does go on inside those buildings?

• Instruction. Instruction bathed in the grace, truth and love of Christ, the Master Teacher.

• Learning. Learning with the counsel, creativity and curiosity of the Master Teacher.

• Teaching. Teaching equipped with the inspiration and methods of the Master Teacher.

This is our hope, our desire, our prayer. We are committed to it and working towards it every day.

Bill Gates said something the other day that grabbed my attention: "If you want your child to get the best education possible, it is actually more important to get him assigned to a great teacher than to a great school." Now, Mr. Gates is obviously ignoring the power of Christian community, prayer and the Golden Triangle but he makes a good point. The adult who partners with you to lead your child in the  way he should go is a critical part of our equation for excellence and effectiveness.

We will never stop pressing, recruiting and training for excellence and effectiveness in the classroom.

In preparation for a board meeting, I recently discovered a planning document from seven years ago. The godly administration of 2002 shared six features of a proposed strategic plan. #2 on the list was "faculty excellence resources, support teams and training initiatives." God bless our WVCA/LRCA legacy. It seems we accepted the baton for the next lap in the SAME race towards the prize of excellence in the classroom.

Let's keep running with our eyes on the prize - the excellence of Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. (Philippians 3:14 and Hebrews 12:1-2)

Gary B. Arnold

 

 

D-O-O-M ... or, how do you spell the NEA?

The District of Columbia voucher program has given untold hope to thousands of urban families. The vouchers are officially called Opportunity Scholarships. Before the opportunity scholarships, parents were told where to send their children. Now, with the opportunity grants, parents have options to avoid a severely dysfunctional government school system. 

Now, Congress wishes to kill the opportunity, the only hope in D.C. for a good, safe education.  The kids are, let's see, how do you spell, "D-O-O-M-E-D?!" 

This political goal is ironic since the children of our congressional leadership don't have to give up their opportunity. Their parents still get to choose the school that is best for them. No such opportunity for the less fortunate. They are D-O-O-M-E-D.

I was amazed to hear that even our Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, objects to the blatant capitulation to the NEA. When asked for his opinion on killing the opportunity grants, Duncan told the Associated Press: "I don't think it makes sense to take kids out of a school where they're happy and safe and satisfied and learning. I think those kids need to stay in their school."  

Amen.

Just who is trying to kill the opportunity and why? And, who and what will be next?

Gary B. Arnold