NEASC Committee on Public Secondary Schools

1. NEASCCommittee on Public Secondary Schools

2. Report of the Visiting Committee for White Mountains Regional High School Paul MacMillan, CHAIR Alan Smith, ASSISTANT CHAIR Michael Berry, PRINCIPAL

3. The Accreditation Cycle: Follow-Up Two-Year Report Special Progress Reports Evaluation Visit Self-Study Pre-Self-Study Report • Ten Year • Cycle Five-Year Report

4. Introduction: • As the responsible agency for matters of the evaluation and accreditation of public secondary school member institutions, CPSS requires visiting committees to assess the degree to which the evaluated schools meet the qualitative Standards for Accreditation of the Commission.

5. Qualitative Standards for Accreditation Teaching and Learning Standards Core Values, Beliefs, and Learning Expectations Curriculum Instruction Assessment of and for Student Learning Support of Teaching and Learning Standards School Culture and Leadership School Resources for Learning Community Resources for Learning

6. Three Fold Process: • The accreditation program for public schools involves a threefold process: • the self-study conducted by the local professional staff • the on-site evaluation conducted by the Commission's visiting committee • the follow-up program carried out by the school to implement the findings of its own self-study and the valid recommendations of the visiting committee and those identified by the Commission in the Follow-Up process

7. Core Values: Commendations • The positive school culture and climate driven by the social expectations in the “Image of the Graduate” • The reallocated resources to pilot the PRIDE program in meeting the needs of struggling students • The clear delineation of school policies and expectations that are reflected in the school’s culture and daily operation • The school’s core values, beliefs, and 21st century learning expectations are actively reflected in the culture of the school and guide the school’s policies, procedures, decisions, and resource allocations • The development of 21st century learning expectations for all students, which address academic, social, and civic competencies, and are defined by school-wide analytic rubrics that identify targeted high levels of achievement

8. Core Values:Recommendations • Develop a strategy to assure all members of the WMRHS community understand the core values and beliefs and how they relate to all school-based decisions • Establish a plan to review and revisit WMRHS core values, beliefs, and 21st century learning expectations through a collaborative, dynamic, researched-based and inclusive process • Develop and fully integrate analytic rubrics for all of the school-wide expectations

9. Curriculum:Commendations • The five-year plan in place for the completion of writing curricula that is aligned with the CCSS, WMRHS’ 21st Century Learning Expectations and their “Image of a Graduate” • The development of a common format for curriculum • The establishment of written curriculum for chemistry/physics, written and oral communication, and world history courses • The authentic learning opportunities that exist in the CTE center • The ethical use of technology demonstrated through an appropriate use policy • The strategies in place to ensure written curriculum is mirrored through daily instruction • The sufficient access to technology for student learning

10. Curriculum:Recommendations • Ensure a written curriculum for each high school subject, modeled on the common format used in the K through 8 math and English curricula. • Provide time for teachers to collaborate on lesson plans that are aligned with the curriculum • Develop common assessments to ensure effective curricular coordination and alignment with the written and taught curricula • Ensure adequate and working technology in all classrooms • Ensure what is taught in the classroom is aligned with the written curricula • Ensure that there is continuity of the core curriculum from K-12 • Renovate and upgrade science labs and science equipment • Update the climate controls and electrical services in the building

11. Instruction:Commendations • The teachers who maintain their expertise in content areas through significant professional development • The cross-disciplinary learningimbedded in the Interactive Mathematics Program • The teachers at WMRHS who work individually and collaborate informally to improve their instructional practices • The financial stipend incentive the district provides to teachers who participate in professional development activities • The Career and Technology courses that foster self-directed learning • The professional commitment of 75 percent of teachers in the building who have been trained in the Critical Skills model

12. Instruction:Recommendations • Develop a professional development plan with a focus on teaching the Common Core State Standards to improve instructional practices • Develop a plan to increase teachers’ collaborative planning time to improve instructional practices • Ensure teachers improve instructional practices by using feedback from a variety of sources including students, teachers, supervisors, and parents • Use data from formative and summative assessments to enhance instructional strategies • Increase student self-directed learning opportunities across curricular areas

13. Assessment of and for student LearningCommendations • The development of five school-wide rubrics that provide consistency in assessing student work • The use of Power School as an effective way to report on student progress • The significant improvement on the NECAP assessment due to preparation by both teachers and administrators • The implementation of the Student Support Team (SST) which uses school data to help identify at-risk students and to deliver timely interventions • The teachers who work collaboratively to develop common assessments • The CTE’s and Mountain View’s Academy’s established use of rubrics on a consistent basis applicable to their content areas

14. Assessment of and for student learningRecommendations • Develop a formal process, based on school-wide rubrics, to assess whole-school and individual student progress in achieving the school’s 21st century learning expectations • Develop a system to identify and track every student’s performance in achieving the schools 21st century learning expectations • Continue to provide opportunities for all the staff to examine student work • Regularly review the grading and reporting policy to ensure alignment with the school’s core values and beliefs about learning • Continue to develop the five rubrics that will provide all students with specific and immediate feedback. • Provide training for teachers and allow time for content area teachers to discuss ways to use school-wide and course specific rubrics

15. School Culture and Leadership:Commendations • The individualized support provided to students by the in-school social worker, Peer Outreach program and the Student Support Team • The principal’s vision, work ethic, and inclusion of staff in shared leadership roles • The high degree of support for the principal by the students and staff • The school culture that is positive, respectful and conducive for student learning • The students’ sentiment of having at least one adult they can go to for support • The teachers’ high participation rate in supervision of co-curricular activities

16. School Culture and Leadership:Recommendations • Establish a plan for the principal to have shared authority over building maintenance • Expand opportunities for heterogeneously designed core academic courses • Fully implement a formal advisory program to support students achieving 21st century learning expectations • Organize time to ensure that teachers routinely meet to reflect on practice and analyze student outcomes • Adhere to a focused professional development model across the district • Ensure that school leaders regularly use research-based evaluation and supervision processes that focus on improved student learning • Develop a plan to actively solicit parental and community participation in the school

17. School Resources for LearningCommendations • The development of a Student Support Team to provide directive intervention strategies for identified and at risk students • The refurbishment of the library media center and room 106 into a student/teacher interactive technology enabled classroom meeting space • The availability of technology and information resources that support teaching and learning • The guidance department for providing student access to personal, academic, career and college counseling • The media center staff for providing time for students to have equitable access to technology and information • The availability of the media center from 7:15 AM until 5:15 PM each day • The development and implementation of the Life Skills Program • The student support personnel in all departments working together to make appropriate interventions for at-risk students, utilizing a variety of local and community-based resources

18. School Resources for LearningRecommendations • Provide outreach for all at-risk students • Complete the implementation of the comprehensive guidance program • Ensure that the library media specialist is actively engaged in the implementation of the school’s curriculum • Increase opportunities and frequency of guidance meetings with individual students • Develop a procedure for coverage of health services when the nurse is out of the building

19. Community Resources for Learning:Commendations • The administration, faculty, and support staff who exemplify knowledge, dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism that is an asset at WMRHS • The maximizing of the educational potential of the property and grounds • The resourceful use of available building space and maximizing the potential of a dated facility • The collaboration with the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa which provides authentic learning opportunities for students • The dependable funding for school programs and services provided by the school community • The involvement of faculty and administrators in the development and implementation of the school budget

20. Community Resources for Learning:Recommendations • Develop a long range master plan beyond the capital budget • Authorize the building principal to have greater control of daily repairs and cleaning of the facility • Improve the organization of physical plant and facilities documentation for compliance with local, state, and federal standards • Provide adequate facilities to support all co-curricular programs • Eliminate student access to the electrical vaults

21. Accreditation:A professional agreement and partnership • Agree to meet the standards throughout the ten year cycle • Agree to engage in continuous school improvement • Agree to be monitored by NEASC • Agree to follow through of recommendations

22. Notification Letter from the Committee • We will receive a notification letter from the Committee on Public Secondary Schools • The letter will confirm accreditation status • It will also contain “highlighted recommendations” which are those that the committee feels are most important for the school.

23. The Accreditation Cycle: Follow-Up Two-Year Report Special Progress Reports Evaluation Visit Self-Study Pre-Self-Study Report • Ten Year • Cycle Five-Year Report

24. Next Steps for WMRSD and WMRHS • We are awaiting the notification letter from the committee • NEASC report will be presented to community member, parents and stakeholders. • NEASC Follow-up committee is in the process of being formed • Mike Berry ***We are determining a Chairperson. • Mike Curtis ***We intend to make the group seven. • Lisa Perras • Patsy Ainsworth • Jeannine Labounty