10 VIII. EVALUATING THE SCHOOL
VIII. EVALUATING THE SCHOOL
Chapter VIII EVALUATING THE SCHOOL In trying to evaluate the good done by the vacation Bible school’ we should remember that most of the results will be intangible. Objectives should have been set up at the beginning of the school, and we should ask ourselves if they have been met. The question should be answered only in part. It is the same as with a “gospel meeting.” We often say the “invisible” results were probably greater than the “visible.” In character building, which is the long range goal of all Bible teaching, we cannol see all the results immediately. In fact, only in eternity can they be fully evaluated. It is impossible to tell to just what extent new ideals have been set up in the hearts of those who attended, neither can we tell to just what extent old ideals have been strengthened, so that they will stand the strain of future difficulties in life. Yet there are some standards we may apply to aid us in determining how well we succeeded in our purposes. There are some immediate goals of achievement at which we can look. If the immediate goals were reached, we can find some encouragement to think perhaps those more distant ones were also attained in some degree.
How did the school appeal to members of the church? Was the church interested in it? Did the members respond to the plea to. keep sending their children? Did their enthusiasm for the school grow as they saw the work being done? Did the pupils keep coming to school day after day? What was the per cent of attendance to the enrollment? Average daily attendance is a better measure of the success of the school than total enrollment. Were the pupils also generally on time? Other questions need answering. How was the conduct of the pupils? We cannot expect them to be quiet all of the time or to go about with a solemn face. We want them to be joyous and happy, but reverent and respectful toward the authority of the school. If they show no respect for the authority of the school and are rowdy and disobedient, the school might better close. If we find a school like this, it would be a reflection on the teachers as well as the homes from which they came.
Let us look for other measures of success. Were the pupils generally alert to the programs of the school? Did they manifest an eagerness for the lessons? Did they, as a rule, prepare the assigned work? Were they generally cooperative? Did they grasp what was being taught them? Did the lessons seem to fit into their own lives? Or were they bewildered by what was being taught? Did they learn more how to worship God? Did they become more reverent in their attitude toward God when they came together to worship?
Another way to evaluate the success of the school is by the way the teachers respond. Were they interestedly active in their part of the program of the school? Were they enthusiastic about their particular- group? Did they have the right attitude toward their pupils? Were they sympathetic toward the problems of the pupils? Did they cooperate in the carrying on of the daily routine of the school? Were they glad the last night to show what their pupils had learned?
Further, we can measure the success of the school in the same manner as do the public schools. We can give tests just as do they, for there is no valid reasons why tests should not be given in Bible just as in other subjects. The pupils can be brought to look forward to this as a natural thing. Why should they not like to know how well they have succeeded? These tests should be objective because objective tests require less time to take and to score. More of the material studied in the course can also be covered. We should not expect the scores to be too high, as this will be the first time for many of our pupils to really study the Bible in a regular course. Do not say too much about their scores, but you can encourage those who made high scores. Let all that made an effort feel that their work has been worth while, and that they should not be ashamed of their scores if they really tried.
Following the school or even during the progress of the school, some of those who have reached the proper age and understanding should obey the gospel, After going through this period of intense study, their hearts should be aroused by the teaching of the Lord.
After this school, some of the pupils who have not been in our Sunday morning classes should start at-tending because of the contacts made in the vacation Bible school. Some of their parents should begin at-tending the regular services of the church. This is another way of judging the effectiveness of the school.
Apply all of these tests to your school. Do not be too hard on yourself. You may have done much more good than you think. Try to make a fair appraisal of its success. Check what you did with the idea of making fewer mistakes and having a better school next year.