Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program Mary Camp, FCC Associate Director for Accreditation

Goals for Today Acquaint or refresh you with the FCC Accreditation Program. Familiarize you with the National Catholic Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary schools Prepare you for this year’s accreditation activities (many of you are prepping for a visitation either this year or next year and/or preparing to be a team member on a visitation.

Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program Brief Background

Accreditation = Continuous Improvement In Georgia – Five Year Cycle In Florida – Seven Year Cycle

FCCAP – Georgia Year 1 – Implement Action Plans and report to DOSV Year 3 – Implement Action Plans & Third Year Conference (TYC) Year 4 – School Improvement Plan process (SIP) Year 5 – SIP Visitation

FCCAP - Florida Year 1 – Implement Action Plans and report to diocese Year 3 – Implement Action Plans & Third Year Conference (TYC) Year 4 – Implement Action Plans Year 5 – Implement Action Plans Year 6 – School Improvement Plan process (SIP) Year 7 – SIP Visitation

FCCAP Where is your school in the cycle? St. James – Year 1 Blessed Sacrament – Visit Immaculate Conception - SIP Notre Dame Academy – SIP Sacred Heart – SIP St. Anne Pacelli – Visit St. Frances Cabrini – TYC St. Francis Xavier – SIP St. James – Year 1 St. John the Evangelist – SIP St. Joseph – Visit St. Mary on the Hill – Year 1 St. Peter Claver – Visit St. Peter the Apostle – SIP St. Teresa – SIP

ANNUAL EVENTS

FCCAP Annual Events Pay Dues – The Diocese pays these for DOSV schools Complete Annual Report for Continued Accreditation (ARCA) Order National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) Certificate if desired

STANDARDS

STANDARDS Current FCCAP National Catholic Beliefs & Mission School & Community Program of Learning Personnel Administration Learning Media Services Pupil Services School Plant & Facilities Mission & Catholic Identity Governance & Leadership Academic Excellence Operational Vitality

Annual Report for Continued Accreditation (ARCA) Review the standards and report school’s compliance Request Limited Teaching Endorsement or Waiver, if needed Institutional Integrity FCCAC review Accreditation Status: Accredited Accredited Advised Accredited Warned Accredited Probation Accreditation Revoked www.EAS-ed.org

FCCAP The www.EAS-ed.org Web site is a very valuable resource. Under Resources you will find: Policies and Procedures Principles and Standards Visitation Manual News and Links provide information about our program, and connections to various education related Web sites. Login – Dashboard: Private Resources – Companion Payments ARCA

FCCAP Login – Dashboard: Need email address & password From the Dashboard you can see items in the EAS-Ed Management Box E-ARCA Previous E-ARCAs Payments Profile Private Resources FCC Companion Manual SIP Sample Calendar TYC Report Template Yearly Report Template www.EAS-ed.org

CYCLE EVENTS

Year 4 or 6 – School Improvement Plan Process The Companion – Guide for the process SIP notice from my office Meetings with DOSV personnel Form a steering committee and area committees Collect and analyze data (including student performance and survey results) Create a SIP Report

School Improvement Plan 6 Main Areas School Profile Mission and Belief Desired Results for Student Learning Analysis of Instructional & Organizational Effectiveness Action Plan Accreditation Standards Review

Surveying Stakeholders Currently FCCAP uses online questionnaires from AdvancED. Available to the Georgia schools through ASSIST. Login on www.advanc-ed.org Go to ASSIST and start a new survey Have you been contacted by AdvancED?

SIP First 4 Areas – doing research, collecting and analyzing data to get a complete picture of the school’s history, where it is now, and setting goals for future progress Action Plans Make the Goals concrete and measurable (ASSIST) Analyze the data Adjust the goals as needed

Strengths & Weaknesses School Profile Mission & Belief Statements Desired Results for Student Learning Analysis of Instructional & Organizational Effectiveness Plan Action Accurate Account Data Analysis Student Performance Perceptions Strengths & Weaknesses Specific Measurable Goals to Document

Visitation Home diocese verifies school readiness Chairperson brokered by FCCAC 2-3 Additional Team Members Three day visit traditionally begins Wednesday afternoon with a school tour and Opening Event that evening. Thursday – meetings and observations. Friday is an early dismissal day and concludes with the Oral Exit Report around 1 pm. Official Visitation Report approved by FCCAC

Visitation Diocese verifies school readiness File Check SIP Book review Review of Action Plans Review of Standards

Preliminary Visit – Chair to School School’s Responsibility Chair’s Responsibility Set date with chair (prelim takes place at least 1 month prior to the visitation) Send SIP book well in advance of preliminary Make arrangements for staff to be present File Check Documents Confirms date with school (prelim takes place at least 1 month prior to the visitation) Read SIP thoroughly, preparing questions Prepare schedule for preliminary visit and send to the school well in advance

Preliminary Visit Schedule Arrival at School – around 8:00 a.m. Meeting with Principal & Steering Committee Chair Review SIP Review previous Visitation Report Review current and previous 2 years of ARCA’s Prepare Visitation Schedule Arrange for lodging Arrange for work area, equipment, supplies, etc. Obtain school schedule with arrival, dismissal, lunch, Obtain floor plan of school

Preliminary Visit Schedule Arrange for Voucher Forms for Team Arrange for times and rooms for interviews and meetings Review Personnel Credentials - Checklist Meet with Pastor – procedures and importance of Visit Tour School Facilities & Grounds Call Diocesan Office – readiness of school for visit Meet with Faculty at end of day – information regarding the Visitation: Team, schedule, questions, affirmation of SIP

Post Preliminary Visit School’s Responsibility Chair’s Responsibility Send any necessary documents, revisions to the Chairperson as soon as possible Send SIP to team members Prepare for the visitation Follow-up Letter to Principal –verification of schedule, reminder to send SIP to Team Members, copy of materials sent to Team Letters to Team –schedule, assignments, travel arrangements to be sent to Chair and Principal, read SIP thoroughly and carefully

Visitation – Assignment for Team Members Member 1 Profile & Mission & Beliefs Standards A, B, H Interview – Religion Coor, & Pastor Member 2 Desired Results Standards C, G Interview – Guidance & Resource Chair: Effectiveness / Action Plan Standards D, E, F Interview – Technology & Media

Pre-Visitation Mailing to Team Members Visitation Cover: Team Names & Addresses / Hotel Visitation Schedule Team Assignments Schedule for Interviews and Meetings

Visitation – Day One – Sample 11-12:00 p.m. Team arrives at Hotel 12:30 p.m. Lunch for Team 1:15 p.m. Team Orientation 3:20 p.m. Meeting at School with Administration and Steering Committee 4:20 p.m. Tour of School Facilities and Campus 5:00 p.m. Dinner for Team and School Officials 7:00 p.m. School Activity: Liturgical Prayer, Brief Introduction to Accreditation Program, School’s Presentation , Reception Keep dinner and presentation SIMPLE!

Visitation – Day One – Details Orientation of Team Explain folder Check names and spelling of Team Review Schedule Review Assignments Standards Checklist / Area Guide Sheets Classroom Visits Review of Results of Preliminary Visit

Visitation – Day One – Details Guidelines for Administration / Steering Committee Meeting Understand process and work on SIP Clarify and ask questions about SIP Ask about communication of process Ask about difficulties / successes Is school pleased with outcomes? Why? Why not? Housekeeping / schedule details

Visitation – Opening Event Begin with a Liturgical Prayer Chairperson explains why the team is at the school The School presents their executive summary, school profile, and mission and belief statements PowerPoint presentation could be used Students could be included Stakeholders are invited Short reception Entire event no longer than one hour

Visitation – Day Two – Sample 7:30 a.m. Team Breakfast/Meeting 8:15 a.m. Meeting with Parents / Community Reps. 9:30 a.m. Meeting with Students 10:30 a.m. Classroom Observations / School Personnel Interviews 11:30 a.m. Team Meeting 12:00 p.p. Lunch 1:00 p.m. Classroom Observations/ School Personnel Interviews 2:00 p.m. Team Meeting

Visitation – Day Two – Sample 3:25 p.m. Meetings with Area Committees (1-4) 4:25 p.m. Meeting with Action Plan Committee (include administration, Steering Committee) 5:25 p.m. Team Debriefing 6:00 p.m. Adjournment 7:00 p.m. Dinner for Team Individual Work Sessions

Visitation – Day Two – Details Parent/Student Meetings Meetings are confidential/ Take notes 10-20 parents / 4th – 8th grade students (about 10-20) Questions: What influenced you in choosing this school? If you could make changes what would they be and why? What , in your words, is the Mission of the school? What do you know of the SIP process and the Action Plan

Visitation – Day Two – Details Personnel Interviews Describe your role and responsibilities. What was your role in the process of the SIP? How do you see your role in the implementation of the Action Plan?

Visitation – Day Two – Details Area Section Committee Meetings Questions of clarification Questions concerning process Possible Focus Questions from NSSE Visiting Team Handbook Suggestions for possible recommendations and why

Visitation – Day Three – Sample 7:30 a.m. Visiting Team Breakfast & Meeting 9:30 a.m. Meeting with Administration and Steering Committee 10:00 a.m. Team Work Session 12:00 p.m. Early Dismissal Bell for School 12:30p.m. Lunch for Visiting Team and Faculty 1:30 p.m. Oral Exit Report 2:30 p.m. Adjournment

Visitation – Day Three – Details Meeting with Administration / Steering Committee Review Standards Checklist – ask questions about items not observed Review Recommendations to SIP Process and Action Plan Share comments from Parent and Student Meetings check for any clarifications

Visitation – Day Three – Details Team Work Sessions Share consensually the Area Recommendations Share consensually Standards Recommendations Each Member hands in at least 1-2 commendations and recommendations for Areas and possible recommendations for Standards Each Member signs the certificate page of the report Preparation for Oral Report – “Talk it – do NOT Read it”!

Visitation – Day Three – Details Oral Exit Report Gratitude for hospitality Affirmation of work done on SIP Brief update on importance of FCC Accreditation Chairperson gives brief summary of comments from Parent and Student Meetings Each Team Member gives a brief description of area, commendations and recommendations. Chairperson summarizes work and implications for future -- re-accreditation comes from FCC Committee

Written Report Outline in Visitation Manual Introduction – include objectives of Visit, brief demographics, brief description of Visitation process, comments from Interview and Meetings, as well as uniqueness of school program.

Written Report Executive Summary—comment, commendation, and recommendation on implementation of Recommendations to Standards and Process. Performance and Progress Report—comment, commendation, and recommendation on implementation of Action Plan goals.

Written Report Area Reports– brief paragraph, 1-3 commendations and recommendations (Refer only to areas – not standards)

Written Report Area Recommendations must be specifically addressed to the process Ex. “The school profile should be updated annually.” “The priorities for improvement in student learning should be restated in clear, concise, measurable goals.”

Written Report Recommendations to Standards Must relate specifically to standards Standard deficiencies are listed first; the remainder are listed in order (A-3, F-2. etc.) Use appropriate language, remembering that these are suggestions

Written Report Recommendations: D-15 The school should implement a written, school-based program of professional development. G-1 The school should continue to enhance and delineate more clearly its written plan for counseling services.

Written Report Evaluation and Summary Intent to implement Action Plan Overall impression of the school Intent to implement Action Plan Written Report will be sent to FCC Accreditation Committee for review and granting of status Statement of appreciation for hospitality

Written Report Certificate Use Worksheets and Assessments to complete Indicate Standards Deficiency Obtain signatures of Team Members

Written Report Chairperson’s Last Duties Receive from each Member: Assessment Tool for Specific Area Area Work (Comments, Commendations, Recommendations) Standards Recommendations Obtain signatures on Certificate Write and edit Report Review Chairperson’s Checklist

Written Report Send report to team members for review Send report to FCCAC representative. Send final report, electronically, to ADA. (Remember, FCC will send copies to school.)

Third Year Conference

Third Year Conference Formal Mid-Cycle Progress Check Analyze data and create a mini-report focusing on: Recommendations from the visitation team Action Plan progress in terms of student performance Standards Compliance Reflection of what has been learned in the process General plans for the remainder of the cycle Implementation team (or representatives) meet with DOSV representative and ADA Team presents, dialogue, and follow up letter from ADA

Questions

I am only a phone call or email away Mary Camp Associate Director for Accreditation Office: 850-224-7906 Cell: 850-728-4272 mcamp@flacathconf.org