WELSSA – Advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

First Lutheran

Lake Geneva, WI

WELSSA Objectives

• Assist congregations with evaluating their ministries

• Provide a basis for improving schools

• Provide a means for schools to be accredited

WELSSA Benefits

• Recognize & maintain blessings by identifying strengths

• Identify areas of ministry that need work• Involves a large number of people• Planning instrument for the future• Marketing tool• NCPSA & RISA• Funding options

Exploration 1. Local agency (ECM, LES, LHS) requests information from the WELS Commission on Parish Schools (CPS).

2. After local agency decides to proceed with the WELSSA process, the WELSSA Executive Director assigns a consultant to the school or ECM.

Preparation for Candidacy Status 1. Local agency satisfactorily completes each item in Checkpoints 1 and 2 with the consultant’s help.

2. Local agency applies for Candidacy Status and submits the fee.

3. The Executive Director of WELSSA approves the school for Candidacy Status with the concurrence of the district’s Parish Schools Coordinator (PSC).

Self-study 1. Using WELSSA resources including the Ten Self-Study

Standards and working with the WELSSA consultant, the local agency conducts its self-study.

2. Local agency develops its School Self-Study Report using the template as found in Chapter 9 of the WELSSA Handbook.

3. The administrator of the local agency consults with the district PSC and the WELSSA Executive Director to select visiting team members.

4. The local agency submits it self-study report to the visiting team.

Validation 1. Visiting team conducts on-site visit.

2. Visiting team reports findings to local agency including its recommendation regarding the local agency’s accreditation status.

3. Visiting team submits its written report to the local agency, the PSC, and the WELSSA Executive Director.

COMMISSION DECISION 1. PSC and Executive Director review Visiting Team

Written.

2. The Executive Director submits a recommendation to the CPS.

3. CPS approves or does not approve Visiting Team and PSC recommendations. .

If awarded: 1. Accreditation is

renewable for a maximum of seven years.

2. Local agency must submit annual report of improvement plan progress to maintain status.

If deferred: CPS submits findings to local agency.

A Challenging Task

1. Begin with prayer…and keep at it!

2. Create consensus and enthusiasm throughout the

congregation and the school

3. Establish a Steering Committee

4. Create “Standard Review Teams”

5. Complete all 10 standard reviews and gather all

documentation and evidences.

6. Prepare for the Visiting Team

7. Complete any immediate deficiencies and begin

making a seven year improvement plan

Resources

Help is available

WELSSA HandbookConsultantWELSSA list serve groupVisiting Team CaptainWELSSA Executive OfficerLord - don’t forget this one

Consultant

Objective of the Position

Provide advice and help to a school so that it

can achieve accreditation

Team Captain

Objectives

Lead the visiting team

Validate the school’s self-study report

Help school improve its ministry

Team Captain

Tasks During Visit

Check on team’s progress and encourage Prepare oral report Decide accreditation status Lead in presenting oral report

Team Captain

Tasks After Visit

Complete visiting team’s written report Send copy to school, consultant, and

Executive Director Send thank you to team members Possibly send thank you to school

administrator

Timeline

We would like to do this in _________ months.

We think we can do this in _________ months.

We will hope to do this in _________ months.

We will plan to do this in _________ months.

Steps to AccreditationTeam Involvement:• Form Teams• Self Study• Prepare Report and offer

recommendations and commendations

Steering Committee Involvement:

• Visiting Team• Accreditation• Future Planning

Timeline:NowNow to end of school year

At end of your portion of the study

After all phases are complete

How do You fit in?•Join a Team•Make a Plan•Gather Information•Report Findings

Standards• Mission, Vision and Objectives• School and Relationships• School Climate• School Governance & Administration• Professional Personnel• Curriculum• Instruction• Student Services• Physical Facilities• Planning and Information Management

What’s this going to take

Hours of time

Involvement of many people

Resources

Determination

God’s help