The CSI Accreditation Commission has approved CSI’s new Teaching for Transformation Accreditation Endorsement, developed in collaboration with leadership at Teaching for Transformation, through the Center for Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) at Dordt University. The Teaching for Transformation (TfT) Endorsement integrates the TfT site visit within the CSI Accreditation process and site visit. 

“The TfT Endorsement aligns with CSI’s belief that Christian schools are places where every action, idea, and thought should be examined in the light of God’s word. Faith is not an add-on to curriculum, classroom, or community; it is an essential lens for living, working, and serving in God’s kingdom,” noted Sheryl Jo, CSI director of accreditation.   

This past October, Allendale Christian School (MI) was the first CSI school to pilot the TfT Endorsement process and visit. Brian Koetje, head of school at Allendale Christian School, shared this about the experience:  

“Allendale Christian School is grateful for the opportunity to pilot the CSI/TfT Accreditation Endorsement. The TfT Endorsement process and site visit was an affirming, yet challenging, experience that will help push us to the next level with TfT implementation. It will be a great benefit for TfT schools to be able to work through CSI’s Measuring the Mission process and the TfT Endorsement simultaneously, culminating in a combined campus site visit. We’re thankful that CSI and TfT staff collaborated to be able to offer this process to TfT schools who are ready for the challenge.” 

At the close of the pilot visit, Darryl DeBoer, CACE senior fellow and director of Teaching for Transformation, shared that the visiting team made a unanimous recommendation to the CSI Accreditation Commission to award Allendale Christian the first CSI/TfT Endorsement.  

“We are extremely excited for the TfT schools within CSI to consider the TfT endorsement,” said DeBoer. “Not only will it bring a level of specificity to the CSI Accreditation process that honors a school’s TfT journey, it also celebrates their achievements and encourages the next level of professional growth for staff. We are grateful for CSI’s partnership and collaboration throughout the development of the TfT endorsement and for Allendale Christian’s feedback as they piloted the process.”  

The Teaching for Transformation Accreditation Endorsement joins three other accreditation endorsements that CSI Accreditation offers: the All Belong Christ-Centered Educational Services Endorsement, the Distance Learning Endorsement, and the International Student Program Endorsement. 

If you are an accredited school interested in this new TfT Endorsement or any of the endorsements offered by CSI, please contact Sheryl Jo, director of accreditation. We look forward to hearing from you.