Better Education Membership of America (BEMA)
The “bema” seat, mentioned in II Corinthians 5:10
is a place for evaluation and assessment. In the Greek culture,
it was the place where competing athletes would be given their
awards based on their performance. A student’s scholastic
standing will play a major role in determining his or her future.
Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that such an assessment
be done competently and fairly by people that are dedicated to
education and ministry.
The Better Education Membership of America (BEMA) is an independent
confederation of private Christian schools and educators. The
organization was founded in the spring of 2000 by a group of school
administrators that saw the need for greater connection and accountability
between private Christian schools. BEMA recognizes the appropriately
independent nature of each private school and seeks only to support
such entities in their educational efforts.
BEMA works in conjunction with the University of Christian Studies
and Seminary to provide private Christian schools institutional
recognition and membership. BEMA also provides certification for
private Christian school educators. Such membership and certification
must not be confused with similar secular functions administered
by governmental agencies, which may not recognize the process
being described herein. Applicants for membership or certification
should check with their individual school districts or state department
of education for clarification on associated guidelines and stipulations.
The BEMA certification process encourages educators to continue
their own educational process as a means of personal development
and paradigm for students to note and follow. The BEMA institutional
membership process establishes lines of accountability and fellowship
between Christian schools.
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Educational institutions that would like to be members of BEMA
must make application to the University of Christian Studies and
Seminary, which is the authorizing agency and organizational covering.
As part of the application process, the Director of BEMA will
make an onsite visit to the applying institution. This visit should
not be considered an inspection, but is primarily an information
gathering occasion. BEMA officials may request to review school
records or interview school staff members. This procedure is intended
to offer assistance while fully respecting the prerogatives unique
to the applying institution.
A $50.00 assessment will be submitted to UCSS at the time application
is made. If the institution is approved for membership, the application
assessment will serve as the first year’s membership offering.
The annual assessment will not be prorated for any reason. The
renewal assessment is due no later than September 1st of each
year.
Each member institution will be given a displayable document of
institutional membership.
INDIVIDUAL CERTIFICATION
Teachers and staff members of private Christian schools and post
secondary institutions that seek certification from BEMA must
make application through the University of Christian Studies and
Seminary, which is the authorizing agency and organizational covering.
A $25.00 assessment must accompany each application for certification.
Each application must be filled out as completely as possible.
An administrative and/or pastoral recommendation must be noted
in the appropriate section on the application. Such an endorsement
will confirm that the applicant is an active staff member at a
K-12 private Christian school, an extended campus K-12 school
or post secondary institution.
Renewal certification will take place on September 1st of each
year. At the time of renewal, the applicant must show that they
have successfully engaged three credit hours of under graduate
or graduate studies from an approved institution in the past year.
Annual ACE Supervisor’s training will qualify as the equivalent
of the required continuing education units (CEU). Continuing education
units must be in a field related to the applicant’s certification.
Once approved, the certified educator will be given a BEMA membership
card and certificate for public display.
The annual certification assessment will not be prorated for any
reason.
MEMBERSHIP OR CERTIFICATION AUTHORIZATION
The Director of BEMA will appoint a Board of Review for each applicant,
whether at the membership or certification level.
The Director and Board of Review will examine each application
and may request additional information before approval or disapproval
is granted. Membership or certification may be refused for any
reason.
APPEALS PROCESS
Applicants, institutional and individual members must agree to
submit to the process of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Agreement
(as described in this catalog) for all disputes or appeals involving
the University of Christian Studies and Seminary, BEMA or any
of the officers of those organizations.
RENEWAL
Membership or certification renewal notification will be made
in August of each year. If renewal assessments are returned to
UCSS prior to the membership or certification renewal date (September
1st of each year) no additional application will be needed. Proof
of the required CEU must accompany the renewal assessment. A new
certificate and membership card will be issued. If a membership
or certification is allowed to expire, a new application will
need to be obtained, filled out completely and returned to UCSS
for evaluation by the Board of Review.
CONTACT
Applications for BEMA institutional membership or individual certification
may be obtained by contacting the University of Christian Studies
and Seminary at:
UCSS
P.O. Box 770454
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Contact may also be made through the UCSS website or e-mail address:
www.universityofcss.org
ucssadmin@gmail.com
Applications may also be obtained by calling:
Main: 907-696-6062
Fax: 907-696-6082
“The most lasting pleasures of this life are in these things:
1. Health
2. Reputation
3. Knowledge
4. Doing good
5. The expectation of eternal and incomprehensible happiness in
another world.
If then I will faithfully pursue that happiness…I must carefully
look that it cross not any of those five great and constant pleasures.”
(Dr. John Locke, English physician, theologian and philosopher)
