1 Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and...

Council on Accreditation and School ImprovementCouncil on Accreditation and School Improvement© 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools© 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

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Today’s Task For JCPS Elementary Today’s Task For JCPS Elementary PrincipalsPrincipals

• Sit with your team leader and your groupSit with your team leader and your group• Use the Use the


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Jefferson County Schools Jefferson County Schools

District Accreditation…District Accreditation…Recognizing Quality School SystemsRecognizing Quality School Systems

Thomas E. Jones, State Director Thomas E. Jones, State Director SACS/Kentucky SACS/Kentucky

859-257-4256859-257-4256

helping schools and school helping schools and school systems improve student systems improve student

learning through accreditationlearning through accreditation


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Three Tiers of Accreditation Three Tiers of Accreditation

• School-based Accreditation (traditional)School-based Accreditation (traditional)– The school engages in an internal review (self-study) that The school engages in an internal review (self-study) that

includes an analysis of meeting standards, engaging in includes an analysis of meeting standards, engaging in continuous improvement, and providing for quality assurance.continuous improvement, and providing for quality assurance.

• Accreditation as a Super SystemAccreditation as a Super System– All schools in a school system are accredited (traditional All schools in a school system are accredited (traditional

method) and in good standing. method) and in good standing.

• District AccreditationDistrict Accreditation– The district engages all aspects of accreditation systemically and The district engages all aspects of accreditation systemically and

conducts a system-wide self-study that includes an analysis of conducts a system-wide self-study that includes an analysis of meeting standards, engaging in continuous improvement, and meeting standards, engaging in continuous improvement, and providing for quality assurance.providing for quality assurance.

– The district monitors and provides evidence that all the schools The district monitors and provides evidence that all the schools in the system meet accreditation requirements.in the system meet accreditation requirements.


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District AccreditationDistrict Accreditation

Why A District Accreditation Protocol?Why A District Accreditation Protocol?District leaders throughout the nation wanted a process District leaders throughout the nation wanted a process

to…….to…….• Support system-wide planning, coordination and Support system-wide planning, coordination and

alignmentalignment• Provide a research-based framework to strengthen Provide a research-based framework to strengthen

school and district effectivenessschool and district effectiveness• Support districts in providing leadership for systemic Support districts in providing leadership for systemic

continuous improvementcontinuous improvement


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Builds the capacity of a system and its schools to increase and Builds the capacity of a system and its schools to increase and sustain student learningsustain student learning

• Ensures all people, processes, operations and functions of the Ensures all people, processes, operations and functions of the system work in concertsystem work in concert– Promotes a systems approachPromotes a systems approach

• Strengthens efforts to meet accountability requirements Strengthens efforts to meet accountability requirements • Supports schools and systems to grow beyond compliance Supports schools and systems to grow beyond compliance

and achieve excellenceand achieve excellence • Promotes continuous vs. episodic improvementPromotes continuous vs. episodic improvement• Inspires a professional culture of learning, collaboration, and Inspires a professional culture of learning, collaboration, and

reflective practicereflective practice


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Components of District AccreditationComponents of District Accreditation

1. 1. Research Based StandardsResearch Based StandardsThe district provides evidence of meeting the Accreditation The district provides evidence of meeting the Accreditation

Standards for Quality SystemsStandards for Quality Systems

2. Continuous Improvement2. Continuous ImprovementThe district articulates, implements, and monitors systemic The district articulates, implements, and monitors systemic

process of continuous improvementprocess of continuous improvement

3. Quality Assurance3. Quality AssuranceThe district implements methods that provide for quality The district implements methods that provide for quality

assurance at the system and school levelsassurance at the system and school levels

The district hosts a SACS Quality Assurance Review TeamThe district hosts a SACS Quality Assurance Review Team


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District Standards

1.1. Beliefs and MissionBeliefs and Mission2.2. Governance and LeadershipGovernance and Leadership3.3. CurriculumCurriculum4.4. Instructional DesignInstructional Design5.5. Assessment, Measurement, and EffectivenessAssessment, Measurement, and Effectiveness6.6. ResourcesResources7.7. Student ServicesStudent Services8.8. Staff and Stakeholder Communications And RelationshipsStaff and Stakeholder Communications And Relationships9.9. FacilitiesFacilities 10.10. Continuous Process of Educational ImprovementContinuous Process of Educational Improvement


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District Standards

Analysis and Response to StandardsAnalysis and Response to Standards For each standard, the school system must prepare a For each standard, the school system must prepare a

narrative response describing evidence of meeting the narrative response describing evidence of meeting the standard.standard.• The response should be a qualitative description that The response should be a qualitative description that

illustrates how the standard is met, not simply quantitative illustrates how the standard is met, not simply quantitative documentation. documentation.

Evidence Must BeEvidence Must Be fair:fair: honest, accurate, free of bias honest, accurate, free of bias

reliable: reliable: consistent, representative consistent, representativevalid: valid: relevant, matched to standard relevant, matched to standard


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Continuous ImprovementContinuous Improvement

• System has the responsibility and flexibility to identify System has the responsibility and flexibility to identify a continuous process of improvementa continuous process of improvement– implemented by system and its schoolsimplemented by system and its schools– permits system and schools to engage in one processpermits system and schools to engage in one process

• Each school has improvement goals that complement Each school has improvement goals that complement the system vision and goalsthe system vision and goals

• There is continuity and collaborative planning among There is continuity and collaborative planning among elementary, middle level, and high school improvement elementary, middle level, and high school improvement effortsefforts


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Improvement Process ElementsImprovement Process Elements

Implement

VISIONVISION

PROFILEPROFILERESULTSRESULTS

PLANPLAN

What future are What future are you pursuingyou pursuing ??

What actions What actions will you take will you take to improveto improve ??

What have you What have you accomplished?accomplished?

What is your What is your current realitycurrent reality ??

II


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Quality Assurance

The System The System demonstrates organizational integritydemonstrates organizational integrity designs and implements a program of methods designs and implements a program of methods

that provide for quality assurancethat provide for quality assurance collects, monitors, uses and communicates collects, monitors, uses and communicates

resultsresults participates in a quality assurance review participates in a quality assurance review

process conducted by a qualified team of process conducted by a qualified team of professional peers (every five years)professional peers (every five years)


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Quality Assurance

The System Monitors and Documents Progress and Requirements Provides Meaningful Feedback It May Use Methods Such As ……

professional evaluation systems monitoring of school improvement plans analysis and use of student performance data project management tools school visits and/or peer reviews progress reports (oral and written) school audits interviews and conferences etc.


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SACS CASI Guided Self-Study SACS CASI Guided Self-Study for District Accreditationfor District Accreditation

The Guided Self-Study is a The Guided Self-Study is a summarysummary document describing how the document describing how the district meets each of the components of accreditation.district meets each of the components of accreditation.

Section 1:Section 1: Overview of the district’s preparation and organization Overview of the district’s preparation and organization to to conduct the Guided Self-Studyconduct the Guided Self-Study

Section 2:Section 2: Narrative analysis of Accreditation StandardsNarrative analysis of Accreditation Standardswritten response summarizing how the district meets each of the

10 standards

Section 3:Section 3: Summary description of the school system and its schools Summary description of the school system and its schools improvement planning processimprovement planning processprovide a copy of the district and school plans (in print or provide a copy of the district and school plans (in print or

electronically)electronically)

Section 4:Section 4: Summary of methods the district employs to provide for Summary of methods the district employs to provide for Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance


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Pause and ReflectPause and Reflect

““System of Schools” System of Schools”

““School System”School System”


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Systems ApproachSystems Approach

SSystem: ystem: Network of parts which function as a whole and Network of parts which function as a whole and contribute to a shared purpose. contribute to a shared purpose.

• SSystemic: ystemic: All parts are interrelated, interdependent, aligned, All parts are interrelated, interdependent, aligned, and harmonious.and harmonious.

• SSystematic: ystematic: Parts are organized, structured and arranged. Parts are organized, structured and arranged. Processes are planned and predictable.Processes are planned and predictable.

• SSynergistic: ynergistic: TheThe whole is greater than the sum of parts.whole is greater than the sum of parts.

• SSustainable: ustainable: There is capacity to endure, to embed and There is capacity to endure, to embed and maintain.maintain.


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Quality Assurance ReviewQuality Assurance Review

The district participates in a quality assurance review The district participates in a quality assurance review process every five yearsprocess every five years

National external review team National external review team qualified professional peersqualified professional peersappointed by SACS CASI appointed by SACS CASI consists of 7 to 30 members consists of 7 to 30 members

Purpose is to assess the effectiveness of the system in Purpose is to assess the effectiveness of the system in meeting the requirements of District Accreditationmeeting the requirements of District Accreditation

Team meets with system staff and stakeholders and Team meets with system staff and stakeholders and visits a representative sample of schoolsvisits a representative sample of schools


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Evidence is Gathered FromEvidence is Gathered From

Dialogue, Data, Documents, and ObservationsDialogue, Data, Documents, and Observations

The team will use the evidence to ……….The team will use the evidence to ……….• Assess Assess

– the capacity of the system to meet the standardsthe capacity of the system to meet the standards– the efficacy and impact of the improvement processthe efficacy and impact of the improvement process– the effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurancethe effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurance

• Identify strengths of the system deserving of commendationIdentify strengths of the system deserving of commendation• Develop recommendations which are designed to help Develop recommendations which are designed to help

strengthen the school systemstrengthen the school system



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Visit ScheduleVisit Schedule

Sunday:Sunday: Team Orientation and Preparation Team Orientation and Preparation

Monday:Monday: Interviews with Key District Stakeholders Interviews with Key District Stakeholders (Superintendent, Central Office, BOE, Principals, Parents, Community)(Superintendent, Central Office, BOE, Principals, Parents, Community)

Tuesday:Tuesday: Visits to a Representative Sample of Schools Visits to a Representative Sample of Schools(Schools provide information and perspective on the system)(Schools provide information and perspective on the system)

Wednesday:Wednesday: Interviews with District Staff Interviews with District Staff (Evidence and dialogue to complete standards’ verification) (Evidence and dialogue to complete standards’ verification)

Team DeliberationsTeam Deliberations

Oral Exit Report: Commendations & RecommendationsOral Exit Report: Commendations & Recommendations


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Interviews with StakeholdersInterviews with Stakeholders

1.1. Knowledge of Vision and Role In Developing Knowledge of Vision and Role In Developing and Communicating Itand Communicating It

2.2. Perception of Strengths and Challenges Perception of Strengths and Challenges

3.3. Continuous Improvement Process (Systemic, Continuous Improvement Process (Systemic, Systematic, Impact) Systematic, Impact)

4.4. Methods and Effectiveness of Direction and Methods and Effectiveness of Direction and SupportSupport

5.5. Stakeholder InvolvementStakeholder Involvement

6.6. Relationships and CultureRelationships and Culture


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School VisitsSchool Visits

• The Primary Purpose of the ½ Day Visits is to DetermineThe Primary Purpose of the ½ Day Visits is to Determine– The school’s implementation and progress in the improvement The school’s implementation and progress in the improvement

process (not to evaluate the school) process (not to evaluate the school) – The connectedness and articulation of system initiativesThe connectedness and articulation of system initiatives

• Each SchoolEach School – serves as evidence or a lens through which to assess serves as evidence or a lens through which to assess

effectiveness of the system (systemic, systematic) effectiveness of the system (systemic, systematic) – provides opportunity to determine the extent and quality of provides opportunity to determine the extent and quality of

system leadership, support, quality assurance methodssystem leadership, support, quality assurance methods• DocumentsDocuments

– School Improvement Plan: Reviewed and used as a talking School Improvement Plan: Reviewed and used as a talking pointpoint


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School visitsSchool visits

• 8:00 – arrive at school 8:00 – arrive at school • 8:00 – 8:30 walk through w/ principal or designee 8:00 – 8:30 walk through w/ principal or designee (student (student

escorts are possible) escorts are possible) • 8:30 – 9:15 School Leadership Team interview 8:30 – 9:15 School Leadership Team interview (principal, (principal,

assistant principal, and/or others) assistant principal, and/or others) • 9:30- 10:15 School Improvement Team 9:30- 10:15 School Improvement Team (Persons who have (Persons who have

provided leadership in the development of the CSIP, School Council provided leadership in the development of the CSIP, School Council Members, etc.)Members, etc.)

• 10:30-11:15 Group of 6-10 school stakeholders 10:30-11:15 Group of 6-10 school stakeholders such as a such as a mixture of parents who are not employees, community members, mixture of parents who are not employees, community members, business partner, new teachers, counselors, librarian/media business partner, new teachers, counselors, librarian/media specialists, who have not otherwise been involved in the interviews specialists, who have not otherwise been involved in the interviews


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School visits School visits

• 11:25 – 12:30 Lunch with both AM and PM principals, central 11:25 – 12:30 Lunch with both AM and PM principals, central office representative and travel to next school office representative and travel to next school

• 12:30 1:00 – Arrive at PM school – begin walkthrough 12:30 1:00 – Arrive at PM school – begin walkthrough • Follow same schedule as AM Follow same schedule as AM • Conclude at 3:45 Conclude at 3:45 • All team members return to hotelAll team members return to hotel


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AccreditationAccreditation

After the VisitAfter the Visit• District Receives Accreditation At The Next Scheduled District Receives Accreditation At The Next Scheduled

SACS CASI Board MeetingSACS CASI Board Meeting • District Continues to engage in Continuous District Continues to engage in Continuous

Improvement processImprovement process• District Submits a Two Year Progress Report on District Submits a Two Year Progress Report on

Recommendations in the QAR ReportRecommendations in the QAR Report• District Monitors for Quality and effectiveness of District Monitors for Quality and effectiveness of

improvement planning initiatives improvement planning initiatives • District Hosts the Quality Assurance Review (5 years)District Hosts the Quality Assurance Review (5 years)


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• Based on ResearchBased on Research– School improvement is more effective with system-wide supportSchool improvement is more effective with system-wide support– Leaders of high performing systems provide direction, assistance, and Leaders of high performing systems provide direction, assistance, and

resources resources • Ensures continuity and collaborative planning for improvement Ensures continuity and collaborative planning for improvement

that is anchored in a common visionthat is anchored in a common vision• Supports and enhances a common language and system-wide Supports and enhances a common language and system-wide

communicationcommunication • Provides the district and community with validation and Provides the district and community with validation and

recognition for improvement effortsrecognition for improvement efforts • Provides the district with recommendations that are designed to Provides the district with recommendations that are designed to

further the district’s effort to improvefurther the district’s effort to improve• Is cost effective for districts and schoolsIs cost effective for districts and schools

……helping helping schools and schools and

school systems school systems improve student improve student

learninglearning

1 Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and...

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