1. WELSSA – Advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ First Lutheran Lake Geneva, WI

2. WELSSA Objectives Assist congregations with evaluating their ministries Provide a basis for improving schools Provide a means for schools to be accredited

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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..

9. 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.

10. 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

11. Resources Help is available WWELSSA Handbook CConsultant WWELSSA list serve group VVisiting Team Captain WWELSSA Executive Officer LLord - don’t forget this one

12. Consultant Objective of the Position Provide advice and help to a school so that it can achieve accreditation

13. Team Captain Objectives  Lead the visiting team  Validate the school’s self-study report  Help school improve its ministry

14. Team Captain Tasks During Visit  Check on team’s progress and encourage  Prepare oral report  Decide accreditation status  Lead in presenting oral report

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Steps to Accreditation Team Involvement: Form Teams Self Study Prepare Report and offer recommendations and commendations Steering Committee Involvement: Visiting Team Accreditation Future Planning Timeline: Now Now to end of school year At end of your portion of the study After all phases are complete

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

19. 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

20. What’s this going to take Hours of time Involvement of many people Resources Determination God’s help