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MSA Representative

Workshop

MSA Representative WorkshopAssuring Middle States Quality

January 29, 2015Columbia Union

Presenter

Middle States Accreditation OfficerJackie Gilbert

jgilbert@msa-cess.org

What is Middle States?

• Regional, National and Internationally recognized school and college accrediting agency – 125 years old

• 3 Commissions: Higher Education, Secondary and Elementary

• Serving the middle states region, other US regions and countries abroad

The Middle States RegionMSA accredits approximately 3000 schools in nearly 100 countries.

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MSA Accredited schools:• Earn national and regional credibility for

meeting standards of excellence• Enjoy confidence of parents, students and

faculty• Enhance their public relations

MSA Accreditation for Schools

Profile of an Accredited School…

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•Meets the Middle States Standards for

Accreditation;

•Uses its mission as the basis for daily decision-

making;

•Operates in the public interest;

•Accepts responsibility for the performance of its

students;

•Remains committed to continuous improvement

in student learning;

•Operates in a collegial and collaborative way

with all of its stakeholders.

Today’s Agenda

• Review participants’ experiences with accreditation

• Compare MSA Standards with AAA expectations• Discuss obtaining co-accreditation• Identify role and responsibilities of MSA

Representative • Review scenarios for MSA Standards• Discuss MSA accreditation protocols

Experiences with Accreditation

• What have your experiences been?– At your school– As a member on a team– As a team leader– With another organization's

protocol

Obtaining MSA Accreditation

• Within MSA traditional region – NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD and DC

• Outside MSA traditional region– NCPSA (www.ncpsa.org/affiliates)

• for schools due for re- accreditation this year • for schools within their term of

accreditation

The Cycle of Accreditation

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A Representative

• Designee• Promoter• Agent• Spokesperson

Etymologyrepresentative (adj.) "serving to represent," late 14c., from

Old French representatif (early 14c.), represent). Meaning "standing for others" is from 1620s

What is the MSA Representative’s role on a

SDA team?

• Team member who represents MSA– Understands MSA Standards and Indicators of

Quality– Understands MSA accreditation– Works cooperatively with SDA team member

colleagues– May have role as member of SDA team

What are the MSA Representative’s responsibilities

on a cooperative team?

• MSA Representative– Participates in meetings , interviews and

discussions – Completes assigned section of SDA report and

submits as requested by team leader– ***Prepares report of evidence of school’s

adherence to MSA standards

Middle States Support

• Contents of flash drive– Middle States Standards and Indicators (2014)

– Decision Making Guide (Appendix N)

– MSA Standards Report Template

• Consultation with MSA personnel

Materials to Assist

• School’s self study• SDA protocol and Standards• MSA Standards and Accreditation Actions

Booklet• Decision-Making Guide Appendix N• MSA Representative Standards

Report/Checklist

Standards for Accreditation

Twelve MSA Standards– Mission– Governance and Leadership – School Improvement Planning– Finances– Facilities– School Organization and Staff

Measurement of Organizational

Capacity

Foundation Standards

Standards for Accreditation

Twelve MSA Standards– Health and Safety– Educational Program – Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning– Student Services– Student Life and Student Activities– Information Resources

Educational Program, Services,

Activities

Operational Standards

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MISSIONSTANDARD FOR ACCREDITATION

The Standard: The school has a clearly written and actively implemented statement of mission that conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning. Stakeholders give input into the development of the school’s mission and understand and accept it. This document is aligned with the community served and is reviewed periodically by stakeholder representatives.

Indicators for all schools:1.1 The school takes steps to ensure that students and their families understand and support the school’s mission.1.2 The mission is consistent with ethical norms and demonstrates respect for persons of all races, creeds, and cultures.1.3 The mission is free of contradiction, ambiguity, and excessive abstraction.1.4 The school implements a system to assess its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.1.5 The school’s mission is clearly communicated in its brochures, promotional materials, policy and procedural handbooks, web site, and similar resources.

MSA Standards

• How are they similar to SDA evaluative criteria?

• How are they different from SDA evaluative criteria?

MSA Indicators

• To address particulars of each of the Standards for…– all schools– independent/nonpublic schools– public schools– schools with a central office staff– schools that provide distance education– schools with early age programs– faith-based schools

MSA Indicators

• For faith-based schools– Mission– Governance and Leadership– School Improvement Planning– Finances– School Organization Staff– Educational Program– Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning– Student Services – Student Life

Assessing the Standards

• Use self study and “evidence” provided by school and during interviews

• Use information gleaned in team discussions • Refer to the Standards Booklet • Record findings in the evidence gathering

workbook • Ask for additional information when necessary

Meeting the MSA Standards

**All standards must be met for a school to be “Accredited”

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Recommendations associated with the

Standards

• Recommendations• Monitoring Issues• Stipulations• Standard is not met

Assessing the Standards

• Scenario activity:– Governance and Leadership Standard– Finances Standard– Health and Safety Standard– Educational Program Standard

• High school• Early Childhood program

– Student Services Standard

Review of MSA Representative’s Report

• MSA Representative and SDA team reports submitted to MSA

• Supplemental information may be requested• MSA staff completes “staff analysis” report• MSA advisory and commission members review

analysis and render decision• School is notified in writing of status

MSA Accreditation Protocols

• The school prepares a comprehensive self-study – Examines the present to create a preferred

future – Establishes a culture of planning– ***Provides evidence of meeting the 12 MSA

Standards– Develops a strategic plan

• mission, beliefs and profile of graduates• measureable objectives• multi-year action plans

MSA Accreditation Protocols

• The school hosts a visiting team of peers– 3 and 1/2 day visit– 4 -15 team members depending on protocol

and logistics of school– interviews, review of documents, classroom

observations

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The Middle States

Protocols…

• Designing Our Future• Excellence by Design for schools or school

systems• ***Sustaining Excellence

One size doesn’t fit all!

What’s new at MSA…

• New website• Sustaining Excellence Research Action Projects• Programs of Distinction

– Global Literacies Early Childhood Education– Music Visual Art– Service Learning STEM – World Languages– 21st Century Skills– School Counseling

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Questions and Answers

Closure - Have we answered the questions?

• How do we become accredited by MSA?• What is my role as the MSA Representative

on a SDA team?• What are my responsibilities as the MSA

Representative?

Thank you for your interest in serving as an MSA

Representative

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We value our partnership!