MASCIS: Muslim American Society Council of Islamic Schools
MASCIS operates as the educational branch of the Muslim American Society (MAS). Through the Council of Islamic Schools, MAS offers several technical and support services as well as professional training programs for teachers and administrators of full-time and part-time Islamic schools. MASCIS is working to establish an effective network of Islamic schools in order to exchange information and expertise, and upgrade and unify curricula.
INTRODUCTION
Islamic education has been a central goal of the Muslim community leadership for years. It remains one of the most important challenges facing us today. Currently, new Islamic schools in North America have to start from scratch because of a lack of proper coordination and an absence of effective communication, thus reinventing the wheel. Moreover, Islamic schools in North America have developed their curricula unsystematically. In particular, the curriculum for Islamic and Arabic Studies is relatively weak and was not designed to meet the requirements of Muslim students residing in North America.
These factors have made Islamic schools merely a refuge from the negative influences of public schools, rather than a genuine system in and of themselves. Given the fact that Islamic schools cater to a small minority of the Muslim population, our objective is to transform the students into dynamic, future Muslim leaders with a comprehensive understanding of Islam. We will work to produce students who will become effective citizens and contribute to the betterment of American society.
We believe that the Muslim American Society, with its large network of chapters and members, is in a position to take the lead in this project, and extend its arm to cooperate with those who are trying to do the same.
MASCIS MISSION
Establish an Islamic School System in North America that nurtures a balanced Muslim personality seeking to excel in every field of endeavor.
MASCIS VISION
To become an effective source of educational leadership and a resource center for Islamic Schools in North America, Inshallah.
MASCIS GOALS
-
Network participating schools in the United States within three years.
-
Provide a comprehensive and unified curriculum, particularly in Islamic, Arabic and Social Studies to participating schools in the US within five years.
-
Review the curricula of Islamic schools to:
-
Develop unified curricula and textbooks that reflect both the authentic foundations and principles of Islam as well as the modern educational methodologies and practices relevant to the North American environment.
- Develop an Islamic studies curriculum that is balanced, authentic, and dynamic In order to nurture a balanced Muslim personality excelling in every field of endeavor.
- Develop an Arabic language curriculum and textbooks that are appropriate and relevant to Muslim students in North America.
- Design and develop educational tools and materials for Islamic schools.
- Facilitate Islamic schools' accreditation with the appropriate state and private accreditation authorities.
- Work toward providing a group insurance program for teachers, administrators, and staff of Islamic schools.
MASCIS MEANS
- Establish an effective network of communication between Islamic schools whereby information, expertise, and experiences are exchanged.
- Offer technical, educational and consultation services to help Muslim communities improve the performance of their Islamic school or establish a new one.
- Offer evaluation to existing Islamic schools in order to provide professional and constructive feedback.
- Exchange ideas and experiences through the Principal Exchange Program for participating Islamic schools.
- Offer local and regional professional development workshops for school board, administrators, teachers and staff members. At this time the council is offering a regional annual conference on education and several regional workshops covering the following areas.
- Tarbiya program for teachers and administrators
- Classroom Management
- Discipline Models: How the Theory Drives the Practice
- Discipline and Punishment in Islamic Law.
- Instructional Design: An important tool for Muslim Teachers
- Effective Teaching: Learning from Cognitive Psychology
- What a Good Muslim Teacher is All About
- Integrating Technology in Your School
- Modern Approaches to Teaching: Where Do We Stand?
- Student Evaluation
- Constructivism: A Paradigm Shift in Teaching Multilevel Classes
- Minimum Islamic Background Required for Muslim Teachers
- Aide participating schools in grant writing.
- Offer parental training programs to help parents monitor and nurture the success of their children in school.
- Offer workshops and training programs for public school teachers in order to educate them about Islamic issues, as well as the needs of Muslim children attending such schools.
- Design and empower teachers with professional skills necessary for teaching in an Islamic environment.
CONCLUSION
The future of the Muslim community in North America is dependent upon securing all of our possible human and financial resources. Only in this way can we prepare and protect the next generation of Muslims to carry the banner, convey the message, and meet the challenges of the future. Alone, we may not achieve much, but indeed together we can achieve more. Therefore, we ask that you take a moment to reflect on this opportunity, and agree to lend support to this organization's program. May Allah accept our work and yours, Ameen.
View/Sign the Guestbook