By Jim Martz, Associate Superintendent of Schools, Illinois Conference of SDA

2. By Jim Martz, Associate Superintendent of Schools, Illinois Conference of SDA

3. The Evaluative Rationale • Contributes to the improvement of the instructional program • Encourages clarification of the goals of SDA education • Increases understanding and involvement of the church community in the process of Christian education

4. The accreditation of SDA schools is based upon a process of Self-Evaluation and review. The School Board coordinates this self-evaluative process.

5. Components of Evaluation Process • Self-Study Handbook • Self-Study Instrument • Visiting Committee Handbook

6. Self- Study Handbook • Guidebook to aid in completing the Self-Study Instrument which includes : • Responsibilities • The use of rating scales • Possible Outcomes • Parent Questionnaires

7. School Board Responsibilities • Study and discuss the Self-Study Handbook • Appoint study committee members & chair • Prepare a timeline • Review previous evaluation report • Prepare new progress report • Distribute sections of instrument to committees • Serve on the study committees as appointed • Edit and approve the school’s mission statement • Edit the the final report • Mail completed copy to conference

8. Timeline • Obtain Visitation Date • One Month Prior is Mailing Date • Each committee meets once a month • Board review committee report each month

9. Self-Evaluation Instrument • Philosophy • Administration and Finance • Facilities and Services • Library • Curriculum

10. Philosophy • SDA Educational Statement of Philosophy is given • Local Mission Statement is developed • Board approves the Mission Statement • School program is guided and evaluated by the Statement of Philosophy and the Mission Statement • Develop criteria for accepting Non-Adventist Students • Consensus is required in Quality Review Section

11. Administration & Finance • Principal and Treasurer complete Financial Data • The constituency, board, and principal’s roles are evaluated • School Marketing plan is evaluated • Areas of strength and concern are listed • Recommendations for correcting concerns are developed

12. Facilities and Services • Facilities and site are physically surveyed by each member of the study committee • Lists of materials and equipment prepared • Custodial, grounds, maintenance, health, fire and safety services are reviewed • Positive aspects and concerns are listed • Recommendations for correcting concerns are developed

13. Library • Library collection is reviewed, counted, and evaluated • Strengths of library collection stated • Concerns regarding library collection compiled • Recommendations for correcting concerns are given

14. Each area of the curriculum is reviewed and evaluated . These include: Curriculum • Bible • Career Awareness • Computer Education • Fine Arts • Language Arts • Mathematics • Physical Education • Reading • Science & Health • Social Studies • Witnessing/Service

15. Curriculum • Introductory Statement • Instructional Goals • The Instructional Process • Materials • Quality Review

16. Rating Scale • In using the rating scale each committee member votes for the rating which they feel that best describes the present practice at the school not what “it should be.” Each member’s vote is “tallied” in the appropriate column. There often may be differing views at times. That is normal. Just record the votes as received.

17. Rating Scale II • Sample Rating Scale Question from page 15 • N – Never S – Sometimes R – Regularly • VALUES DEVELOPMENT • 7. Students have opportunities ___ ___ ___ N S R 2 1 to participate in service for others

18. Parent Questionnaire • Form is duplicated by teacher and distributed to parents along with a self-addressed, return envelope marked “Questionnaire”. This is done at least one month prior to the on-site visit • Questionnaires should be returned to the school in the sealed, self-addressed envelope. • The principal collects and gives the sealed envelopes to the Superintendent. • The questionnaires are reviewed by the Visiting Committee and recommendations are included in the Visiting Committee Report

19. Possible Terms of Accreditation • Terms • Five years with an annual Progress Report • Five years with an Interim Review and annual Progress Report • One to three years with a Revisit and annual Progress Report • Alternative Actions • Probationary status • Accreditation denied

20. After the Visit • Superintendent submits to the Conference Board of Education the Visiting Committee Report including the recommended term of accreditation. • The voted and edited report becomes the Evaluation Report. • A copy of this report is sent to the school for review. The board prioritizes the recommendations and develops a timeline for implementation of the recommendations.

21. The End