Education Commons^™

Examining Factors Of K-12 Christian School Growth: A Case Study, Jared B. Johnston

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The Christian education movement has suffered in recent decades, as hundreds of schools have closed. Many more schools are losing students and are not experiencing growth. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how three mid-size Christian schools were showing positive student enrollment growth. The collective case study methodology was used to examine the phenomenon in three private Christian schools. During the course of the study, three administrators and 15 parents from three private Christian schools were interviewed regarding the topic of Christian school growth. The results of the study showed that schools who had a biblical worldview, …

The Effectiveness Of Biblical Worldview Integration With Early Adolescents In Thailand, Lisa B. Deprey

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Christian educators and institutions may make use of an instructional pedagogy known as biblical worldview integration. This pedagogical instrument intentionally connects every aspect of the curriculum to at least one element of a biblical worldview to inculcate that worldview in students. This research study was conducted over the course of the second semester at a Christian international school in Thailand that implements biblical worldview integration across the curriculum. Focusing on Thai Buddhist middle-school students, research was conducted in three parts: pre- and post-surveys with students to determine change in worldview, parent interviews, and teacher interviews. While an analysis of the …

This Is God’S World: A Study Of Student Worldview In A Small Rural Christian High School, Rachel Elizabeth Bootsma

Master of Education Program Theses

This qualitative phenomenological study examined a small rural Midwest Christian high school and its influence on the biblical worldview of its students. The author surveyed and interviewed current seniors and former students from this Christian high school to better understand the biblical worldview of the students from their perspective. The study also attempted to identify the influence of the school and the school’s strengths and weaknesses on its students' biblical worldviews. This phenomenological study demonstrates how the practices, programs, procedures, curriculum, and relationships at a small Christian high school lead to a foundational biblical worldview in its students.

Diminishing Horizons: A Critical Look At History Education In America, Lisa N. Eekhoff

Master of Education Program Theses

Throughout the twentieth century, the structure of history education in elementary schools has shifted from a traditional, chronological structure to the expanding horizons structure. This thesis examines the philosophical underpinnings of each structure in light of a biblical view of teaching history. Emphasis is placed on historical understanding, training in historical analysis, and sense of identity. It is proposed that a chronological structure may present the child with a deeper understanding of historical events as well as a clearer view of historical principles. Additionally, it is proposed that a chronological structure may impart a more biblical view of self in …

Mathematics: Giving Classical, Christian Education Its Voice, James W. Seidel

Master of Education Program Theses

Classical, Christian education developed in the late twentieth century as the result of the influence of authors and educators such as Dorothy Sayers, Douglas Wilson, and Mortimer Adler. Building upon the educational approach taken in the Middle Ages and earlier, the classical, Christian approach has slowly grown in popularity over the past thirty years. As classical, Christian education has matured, however, some areas of its educational philosophy have developed more slowly than others. In particular, mathematics education within the classical, Christian model has received minimal treatment. This thesis attempts to initiate a more intentional educational philosophy for mathematics in a …

Toward A Vision For Distinctively Christian Educational Leadership, Sean-Jason Schat

Master of Education Program Theses

Educational leaders set the tone for their institutions. Their leadership embodies their vision for and valuing of the people they work with, as well as their actual understanding of the mission and vision of their organization. Research into the nature of leadership and followership demonstrates the importance of both leading from a vision and leading people, building a culture of respect and trust in order to establish a community committed to a shared task. Leaders in Christian schools are called by God to the office of leadership in order to be used by Him to continue His self-revelation and to …

Evaluating Thematic Units To Build Reformed Worldview, James M. Schuller

Master of Education Program Theses

This descriptive study researched the benefits of implementing thematic units as an effective curricular approach to aid in developing and opening the minds of students, parents, teachers, and administration to the possibilities of kingdom transformation and kingdom discipleship. More importantly, this paper focused on the creation of evaluation rubrics in aiding schools in fulfilling their mission statements.

The literature review examined three things: research on the benefits of using an integrated curriculum, background information on Reformed thinking on education, and information on the use of rubrics and school accountability concerning worldview development.

The results found that thematic units are a …

Is Classical Christian Education Compatible With A Reformed Christian Perspective On Education?, Peter L. Ton

Master of Education Program Theses

Is the growing classical Christian education movement, based on Dorothy Sayers’ trivium methodology, compatible to a Reformed Christian perspective on education? The classical Christian position claims that children progress through three stages of development and that the three components of the trivium complement these natural learning stages. The first stage involves memorizing facts through chants, stories and songs. In the second stage students learn how to argue and analyze by means of formal training in logic. The third stage focuses on learning to express knowledge persuasively and elegantly. When compared to the Reformed understanding of covenant children as well as …