Why Accreditation?

1. Why Accreditation? “There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. Our goal is to ask: ‘What’s possible?’ not ‘What’s wrong?’”. -Margaret Wheatley

2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Public Elementary and Middle Schools The Accreditation Process

3. New England Association of Schools and Colleges Overseas Schools Higher Ed CPEMS CIHE CAISA Public Elementary and Middle NEASC CPSS CTCI Public Secondary Career and Technical Established 1885 CIS K-12 Private/ Independent 1900+ schools

4. Accreditation Process Goals School Improvement through Self Assessment Is your school a good school? How do you know? How do you measure yourselves? Against what? Do you have any documented proof? So, how do you really know?

6. The Process: Measuring Yourself Against the Standards • Do you meet the standard? • How well do you meet the standard? • Identify your strengths and needs in this area. • What do you need to do to meet the standard better? • Develop an action plan to meet the needs

8. The Self StudyA Snapshot of Who You Are

9. The Self Study • Is school specific • Is faculty driven • Requires parental and community input • Requires reflection, discussion, consensus and back-up • Tells the story of how and how well the school meets NEASC standards for good schooling

10. What Committees Will We Need? Mission Curriculum Instruction Assessment Leadership School Resources Community Resources Learning Areas Meeting Today

11. What Committees Will We Need? Instruction Curriculum Mission and Expectations Self Study Assessment Leadership Community Resources School Resources

12. The Peer Review Team • Reads the self study • Spends three and one half days watching the school in action • Meets and discusses the self study with members of the school’s community • Provides objective assessment of the conclusions of the self study • Determines the degree to which the school meets the standards • Develops the final report which includes perceptions, commendations and recommendations • Makes a recommendation about accreditation to CPEMS

13. The Follow Up Prioritize the recommendations found in the Visiting Committee Report Identify the responsible people and develop action plan Establish a timeline Develop strategies, adopt and adapt them, and assess the results Prepare appropriate reports Two Year Report Special Progress Reports Five Year Report Celebrate the accomplishments

14. Accreditation Cycle On-site Peer Review Visit Self Study 12-18 months Visiting Committee Report 10 Year Cycle Establish Mission and Expectations Special Progress Reports Five Year Summary Two Year Update

15. So, What Do We Get Out of This? • Self Awareness • Self Evaluation • Planning Opportunities • Upholding Standards • Quality Control • Public Accountability • School Approval • School Improvement

16. Volunteer for committees Provide honest and appropriate input Take a good snapshot and evaluate it from all angles Work toward finding solutions Be involved with all phases of the process What’s Your Job?

17. Any Questions???

18. What Do You Do If You’re Stuck? Call CPEMS at 781-541-5424 Fax us at 781-271-0950 or e-mail at dflynn@neasc.org