Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2005 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review Team DISTRICT ACCREDITATION Florence City Schools

2 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation What does district accreditation involve? The capacity of a school system to address three major elements. As such, a school system must:The capacity of a school system to address three major elements. As such, a school system must: –Meet standards for accreditation; –Demonstrate a systemic and continuous process of improvement; and –Implement methods that provide for quality assurance.

3 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Role and Responsibilities Quality Assurance Review Assess the capacity of the system to meet the standards;Assess the capacity of the system to meet the standards; Assess the efficacy and impact of the improvement process;Assess the efficacy and impact of the improvement process; Assess the effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurance;Assess the effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurance; Identify strengths of the system deserving of commendation; andIdentify strengths of the system deserving of commendation; and Develop recommendations which are designed to help strengthen the school system.Develop recommendations which are designed to help strengthen the school system.

4 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Procedures Followed Quality Assurance Review The Quality Assurance Review TeamThe Quality Assurance Review Team –Reviewed documentation provided by the school system; –Developed points of inquiry for the on-site review; –Established, in collaboration with district personnel, a schedule of activities and interactions that would provide for significant stakeholder involvement; –Conducted interviews of a representative set of stakeholders throughout the district; and –Engaged in professional deliberations as a team to consider the capacity of the school system to meet the requirements for district accreditation.

5 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Interviews with Stakeholders During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed:During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed: 1The Superintendent of Schools 1The Superintendent of Schools 6Members of the Board of Education 6Members of the Board of Education 10Members of central office staff 8Principals 8Principals 7Other Administrators (district and school levels) 7Other Administrators (district and school levels) 52Parents and business partners 42Teachers 18Students

6 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Evidential Process In considering the evidence as provided through data, documentation, observation, and dialogue, the Quality Assurance TeamIn considering the evidence as provided through data, documentation, observation, and dialogue, the Quality Assurance Team –Sought a district perspective; –Pursued evidence that could be correlated through multiple sources; –Examined the context and capacity of the school system in relation to its vision, mission, and beliefs; and –Applied the criteria for accreditation.

7 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Summary of our Observations Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district.Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district. Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by the school district.Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by the school district. Commendations…professional commendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.Commendations…professional commendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team. Limitations…conditions that exist which are potential barriers.Limitations…conditions that exist which are potential barriers. Challenges…opportunities that the district may seek to address for further improvement.Challenges…opportunities that the district may seek to address for further improvement. Recommendations…professional recommendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.Recommendations…professional recommendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.

8 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Strengths Strong district leadershipStrong district leadership Highly qualified and dedicated teachers/support personnelHighly qualified and dedicated teachers/support personnel Expansive and challenging curriculumExpansive and challenging curriculum Technology integrated throughout the curriculumTechnology integrated throughout the curriculum Well-maintained facilitiesWell-maintained facilities Multiple student support servicesMultiple student support services Strong local financial supportStrong local financial support Diverse student populationDiverse student population Stakeholder involvement throughout the schools and communityStakeholder involvement throughout the schools and community Supportive and active school boardSupportive and active school board

9 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Accomplishments Successful consolidation of schoolsSuccessful consolidation of schools High number of National Merit ScholarsHigh number of National Merit Scholars High percentage of National Board Certified TeachersHigh percentage of National Board Certified Teachers Established Junior ROTCEstablished Junior ROTC All schools currently meet Adequate Yearly ProgressAll schools currently meet Adequate Yearly Progress Exemplary Career Tech programExemplary Career Tech program Strong Fine Arts programStrong Fine Arts program Community PartnershipsCommunity Partnerships Harlan Elementary recognized as Torchbearer SchoolHarlan Elementary recognized as Torchbearer School Over $4 million of scholarships offered to seniorsOver $4 million of scholarships offered to seniors

10 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Commendations The Quality Assurance Review Team commends the Florence City Schools for: Strong, effective leadership by the superintendent.Strong, effective leadership by the superintendent. Providing a safe and orderly educational environment.Providing a safe and orderly educational environment. Developing and implementing effective educational programs based on student needs identified through assessment data analysis.Developing and implementing effective educational programs based on student needs identified through assessment data analysis. Identifying the dropout rate as unacceptable and developing strategies to encourage students to remain in school.Identifying the dropout rate as unacceptable and developing strategies to encourage students to remain in school. Collaboration and cooperation of stakeholdersCollaboration and cooperation of stakeholders Providing parent education opportunities to improve their children’s success in learning.Providing parent education opportunities to improve their children’s success in learning. Providing quality before and after school support programs.Providing quality before and after school support programs.

11 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Limitations Federal guidelines and regulationsFederal guidelines and regulations Federal fundingFederal funding Declining economyDeclining economy

12 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Challenges Dropout rateDropout rate Proficiency levels of No Child Left Behind by 2014Proficiency levels of No Child Left Behind by 2014 Unfunded mandatesUnfunded mandates Maintaining a balance in curriculumMaintaining a balance in curriculum Subgroups meeting Adequate Yearly ProgressSubgroups meeting Adequate Yearly Progress Attendance rateAttendance rate Need for more parent involvement and understanding of the value of an educationNeed for more parent involvement and understanding of the value of an education Replacing highly qualified teachers and administrators upon retirement.Replacing highly qualified teachers and administrators upon retirement.

13 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Recommendations The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends that the Florence City Schools:The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends that the Florence City Schools: –Develop action plans annually to ensure that the strategies are used to achieve the district’s goals. –Gather individual data on reasons for students dropping out of school in order to develop effective preventive solutions. –Communicate the vision, mission, and goals of the newly adopted strategic plan to all stakeholders. –Monitor the alignment of the district goals and plans with all schools –Handy Head Start through 12 th grade.

14 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Next Steps A written report of our findings and observations will be drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Schools within 30 days.A written report of our findings and observations will be drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Schools within 30 days. After receipt of the report, the district is expected toAfter receipt of the report, the district is expected to –Review and communicate the findings and observations contained in the report; –Initiate steps to address the recommendations in the report; –Continue to monitor accreditation requirements for the system and its schools; –Monitor the execution and impact of strategies for improvement; and –Continue to engage methods that provide for quality assurance.

15 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Final Recommendation The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, without reservation, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that the Florence city schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system.The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, without reservation, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that the Florence city schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system. Once approved, the district and all its schools are thereby accredited.Once approved, the district and all its schools are thereby accredited.

16 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Final Thoughts On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, I extend:On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, I extend: –Our appreciation for your hospitality, support, and professionalism; –Our respect and acknowledgement of the quality of the school district; and –Our congratulations for pursuing district accreditation as a quality system.

…helping schools and school systems improve student learning through accreditation