The historical comparison of LCMS statistics is appreciated as the current issue of The Lutheran Witness included 20- and 50-year comparisons for baptisms and confirmations, and 20-year comparisons for university enrollments. I was disappointed that no historical comparison was shown for our Lutheran schools, without which the current numbers on the paper mean little. I don't have access to 20-year schools data, but I did find 10-year old data to compare (2006-2007 to 2016-2017) which shows a 34% decline in the total number of students (-39% early childhood students; -33% elementary; -7% secondary) and an 18% decline in the total number of schools (-16% early childhood centers; -22% elementary schools; -16% secondary schools). Those are shocking numbers which should spur the Synod to action, but absent reporting, I don't expect action to be taken.