NLSA Validation Team Resources
School Site Validation Team Documents
The following documents are to be utilized by school Consultants and Validation Team members when working with the Evidence Based Accreditation (EBA) process. Please use the links below to access all necessary and required documentation.
Consultant’s Documentation
NLSA EBA Consultant Manual (9/2021)
NLSA EBA Projected Timeline (9/2021)
Validation Team Documentation
NLSA EBA Team Captain Manual (9/2021)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Report Format (9/2021)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2021)
NLSA EBA Glossary of Terms (9/2021)
NLSA Validation Team Report Submission Checklist (9/2021)
NLSA Weather or Other Emergency Situations Procedures (9/2021)
School Shepherd Award Documentation
NLSA School Shepherd Award Guidelines and Policies
NLSA School Shepherd Award Visit Team Nomination Form (PDF)
NLSA School Shepherd Award Visit Team Nomination Form (PDF – Fillable)
NLSA Classroom Observation Tool (Voluntary Use for 2021-2022)
NLSA Classroom Observation Tool (9/2021)
NLSA Classroom Observation Tool w/ Explanations (9/2021)
NLSA Virtual Validation Team Visit Resources
NLSA Virtual Validation Visit Process Manual (9/2021)
NLSA Virtual Validation Team On-Site Visit Report Format (9/2021)
The following documents are to be utilized by school Consultants and Validation Team members when working with the Early Childhood accreditation process. Please use the links below to access all necessary and required documentation.
Consultant’s Documentation
NLSA EC Consultant Manual (9/2021)
NLSA EC Projected Timeline (9/2021)
NLSA EC Self-Study Overview (9/2021)
Validation Team Documentation
NLSA EC Team Captain Manual (9/2021)
NLSA EC Validation Team Report Format (9/2021)
NLSA EC Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2021)
NLSA EC Glossary of Terms (9/2021)
NLSA Validation Team Report Submission Checklist (9/2021)
NLSA Weather or Other Emergency Situations Procedures (9/2021)
School Shepherd Award Documentation
NLSA School Shepherd Award Guidelines and Policies
NLSA School Shepherd Award Visit Team Nomination Form (PDF)
NLSA School Shepherd Award Visit Team Nomination Form (PDF – Fillable)
NLSA Virtual Validation Team Visit Resources
NLSA Virtual Validation Visit Process Manual (9/2021)
NLSA Virtual Validation Team On-Site Visit Report Format (9/2021)
Conflict of Interest Forms
The National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) Conflict of Interest Policy is created and implemented to ensure the integrity of the entire accreditation process. Individuals interacting with the process (Validation Team, Team Captain, School Consultant, District Accreditation Commission, National Accreditation Commission, and NLSA National Office Staff) must not have any real or perceived financial, institutional, or personal interest(s) in the outcome of the Validation Team Report or overall Accreditation process that would impact their ability to be objective and independent throughout the process. Prior to an individual’s appointment to work with the NLSA process, they are required to complete an NLSA Conflict of Interest Policy and Code of Ethical Behavior Agreement. Timely completion of this document allows for the determination of any real or perceived conflict of interest which would prevent service to NLSA.
NLSA Conflict of Interest (Fillable) (9/2021)
Request for Appointment of Validation Team Members Document
As soon as all Validation Team members are recruited, this form is to be completed electronically and emailed to the LCMS District Education Executive for his/her review. This form must be accompanied by all completed NLSA Conflict of Interest forms for each individual Validation Team member. Upon review and approval of this form by the District Education Executive, it is to be submitted along with all Conflict of Interest documentation to Rebecca Schmidt (Rebecca.Schmidt@lcms.org) in the LCMS School Ministry Office. All documentation for the approval of a Validation Team (Request for Appointment of Validation Team Members and NLSA Conflict of Interest forms) are to be sent as a single email to avoid delays in approval or confusion with other NLSA documentation.
NLSA Request for Appointment of Validation Team Members (3/2022)
The following documents are to be utilized by school Consultants and Validation Team members when specifically working with a combined Evidence Based Accreditation (EBA) and Early Childhood Accreditation (EC 2018) Validation Team Visit. Please use all other corresponding documentation as needed from the EBA and EC resource sections on this page.
Validation Team Documentation
NLSA COMBINED EBA-EC Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2021)
NLSA Virtual Validation Visit Resources
If you are the Consultant or on the Validation Team for a school utilizing the September 2019 revision of the NLSA Evidence-Based Accreditation (EBA) or NLSA Early Childhood documents, the resources below are for your use. Please note, you may actually find it best to use the new documents since they would best serve you and the school in using the most recent documentation.
NLSA EBA Consultant Manual (9/2020)
NLSA EBA Team Captain Manual (9/2020)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Report Format (9/2020)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2020)
NLSA EC Consultant Manual (9/2020)
NLSA EC Team Captain Manual (9/2020)
NLSA EC Validation Team Report Format (9/2020)
NLSA EC Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2020)
NOTE: A school must use the documentation available from when they received their Application acceptance letter from the NLSA national office (or more recent documentation if they choose). The document year release which they are to use is listed on this letter which they receive from the National office. If clarification is needed, please contact the NLSA national office.
If you are the Consultant or on the Validation Team for a school utilizing the September 2019 revision of the NLSA Evidence-Based Accreditation (EBA) or NLSA Early Childhood documents, the resources below are for your use. Please note, you may actually find it best to use the new documents since they would best serve you and the school in using the most recent documentation.
NLSA EBA Consultant Manual (9/2019)
NLSA EBA Team Captain Manual (9/2019)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Report Format (9/2019)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2019)
NLSA EC Consultant Manual (9/2019)
NLSA EC Team Captain Manual (9/2019)
NLSA EC Validation Team Report Format (9/2019)
NLSA EC Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2019)
NOTE: A school must use the documentation available from when they received their Application acceptance letter from the NLSA national office (or more recent documentation if they choose). The document year release which they are to use is listed on this letter which they receive from the National office. If clarification is needed, please contact the NLSA national office.
If you are the Consultant or on the Validation Team for a school utilizing the September 2018 revision of the NLSA Evidence-Based Accreditation (EBA) or NLSA Early Childhood documents, the resources below are for your use. Please note, the updated September 2019 release (available above) has no major changes from 2018 and addresses many concerns raised with the 2018 documents. You may actually find it best to use the new documents since they would best serve you and the school.
NLSA EBA Consultant Manual (9/2018)
NLSA EBA Team Captain Manual (9/2018)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Report Format (9/2018)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2018)
NLSA EC Consultant Manual (9/2018)
NLSA EC Team Captain Manual (9/2018)
NLSA EC Validation Team Report Format (9/2018)
NLSA EC Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2018)
NOTE: A school must use the documentation available from when they received their Application acceptance letter from the NLSA national office (or more recent documentation if they choose). The document year release which they are to use is listed on this letter which they receive from the National office. If clarification is needed, please contact the NLSA national office.
NOTE: 2011 Early Childhood documentation must be received from your LCMS District Office or NLSA District Commissioner. Please reach out to them with any additional questions.
If you are the Consultant or on the Validation Team for a school utilizing the September 2017 revision of the NLSA Evidence-Based Accreditation (EBA) documents, the resources below are for your use. Please note, the updated September 2018 release (available above) has no major changes from 2017 and addresses many concerns raised with the 2017 documents. You may actually find it best to use the new documents since they would best serve you and the school.
NLSA EBA Consultant Manual (9/2017)
NLSA EBA Team Captain Manual (9/2017)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Report Format (9/2017)
NLSA EBA Validation Team Exit Report PowerPoint Template (9/2017)
NOTE: A school must use the documentation available from when they received their Application acceptance letter from the NLSA national office (or more recent documentation if they choose). The document year release which they are to use is listed on this letter which they receive from the National office. If clarification is needed, please contact the NLSA national office.
NOTE: 2011 Early Childhood documentation must be received from your LCMS District Office or NLSA District Commissioner. Please reach out to them with any additional questions.
Questions About the Validation Team Resources?
If you have questions related to any of the above NLSA Validation Team Resources, please contact either your local LCMS District office or District Commissioner through the links below. They are equipped to guide you and your validation team through the complete NLSA site visit process to completion. Additionally, if you are wanting to include any of the official NLSA logos and images in any of your correspondence with schools or final presentations, please feel free to do so using the resources available through the “NLSA Media Downloads” button.