Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Program

Higher Education Administration EdD

First Advisor

David S. Penner

Second Advisor

Lenore S. Brantley

Third Advisor

John B. Youngberg

Abstract

Problem. In 1993, during the celebration of fifty years of continuous Christian education in Bermuda, it became strikingly evident that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had no single literary, historical compilation of SDA education in the country. This research can help to fill this information void.

Method. Seven key administrative decisions have been identified as being of paramount importance in influencing the manner in which SDA education has developed in Bermuda: (1) the initial decision to found an SDA school, (2) the relocation of the school to the Sandringham property, (3) the expansion from eight grades to twelve, (4) the choices made between an American and a British curriculum, (5) the decisions concerning the best use of limited land, (6) the selection of a financial plan for operating the school, and (7) decision-making processes involved in selecting successive principals. This research covers the period from the year 1943 through 1997, the period of continuous SDA education in Bermuda. The scope of this research excludes any schools which may have existed before 1943. The intent of this research is not to provide a complete historical record of the period, but to examine certain key administrative decisions and their effects on the development of SDA education in Bermuda.

Results. These key administrative decisions have been important for the evangelistic thrust of the SDA Church in Bermuda and for training workers for both the Church and the broader community. They have enabled Bermudian students to have the convenience and financial benefits of acquiring more of their education at home, have made the teaching process easier for the mostly American trained staff, and have facilitated the transfer of students' academic credits between Bermuda Institute and American schools. These decisions have raised the quality of education and accommodated a growing student population by constructing buildings on the limited open land spaces. They have enabled the Bermuda Conference to operate the school for the most part without recurring deficits but have contributed to a rapid turnover of principals.

Conclusions. The SDA school in Bermuda has grown from humble beginnings to a respected and competitive institution due largely to certain key decisions made by successive administrators and administrating committees.

Subject Area

Seventh-Day Adventists--Education--Bermuda Islands, Bermuda Institute--History

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dissertations/445/

Download

Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS