(from the August 2003 issue)

by Dennis Plubell

At the beginning of the 21st century, education has become a focus of public discussion and political debate. Throughout North America, education is experiencing seismic changes. New technologies, re-designed curriculum, innovative instructional practices, state and national educational standards, and high-stakes testing are changing what teachers teach and how students learn.

Creating quality schools where students can thrive in a safe campus environment is crucial, but increasingly difficult in a fractured society. The waves of school reform and academic change are shaking the educational landscape and straining already limited financial and human resources.

Adventist educators recognize that conducting school as usual will not guarantee success, let alone survival, for Seventh-day Adventist schools. To thrive in the 21st century, Adventist education must change as well. To effect change, it is vital that we identify and secure the unique characteristics of quality Adventist schools and then encourage innovation and planning for school improvement. It is imperative that Adventist education build on its past strengths to create a dynamic future that will fulfill its divinely appointed mission and purpose.

The North American Division (NAD) education department is releasing a new publication that is the result of an initiative by educational leaders division-wide to assist schools in planning for effective change. When they return from the 2003 summer recess, Adventist administrators and teachers will receive Journey to Excellence—a K–12 focus on improving Adventist schools.

Journey to Excellence is a full-color, mission-oriented, educational plan booklet and companion compact disk packaged in an attractive folder. It is anticipated that electronic access to the booklet on CD will encourage school leaders and teachers to utilize the materials and resources in developing their individual school mission and conference action plans for exemplary education. The CD also includes a self-playing presentation that introduces the Seventh-day Adventist philosophical foundation of education called Journey to Excellence and provides active links to a variety of Internet resources, including a Web site being developed specifically for Adventist schools to share ideas and strategies for building quality Adventist schools.

Journey to Excellence contains a wealth of information and resource material for creating exemplary Adventist schools that will continue to be vibrant and effective ministries for redeeming God's youth. Journey to Excellence will provide the tools and resources Adventist schools need to thrive in the 21st century. The publication and accompanying material will provide a solid foundation upon which Adventist education can develop new and creative programs and practices.

According to Garry Sudds, Lake Union Conference associate director for secondary education, "Journey to Excellence reaffirms the special purpose, mission, and essential elements of Adventist education, and combines these with resources to support innovation and change in preferred areas of educational practice."

Improving Adventist schools is the heart of this new NAD initiative. Journey to Excellence is about change that will result in more exemplary Adventist schools.