AdvancED District Accreditation Process © 2010 AdvancED

AdvancED® is the world’s largest educational community and a global leader in advancing excellence in education through continuous improvement, organizational effectiveness, and accreditation.

District Accreditation A national protocol for school districts committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable improvement –Builds capacity to increase student learning and organizational effectiveness –Stimulates, supports and examines how all elements of the district work in harmony in pursuit of a shared vision © 2010 AdvancED

Cornerstones of Accreditation Meet Quality Standards –School Systems –Schools Engage in Continuous Improvement –Systems Perspective and Approach Demonstrate Quality Assurance –Internal Assessment –External Review © 2010 AdvancED

District Expectations Districts must: Meet AdvancED Standards for Quality Systems Complete Standards Assessment Report Identify and guide implementation of systemic continuous improvement process Monitor schools’ adherence to AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools Prepare and host QAR visit every five years Respond to Required Actions from QAR team © 2010 AdvancED

School Expectations Schools must: Meet AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools Implement district’s continuous improvement process Participate in district’s quality assurance processes Contribute to district response to findings © 2010 AdvancED

Expectations for Accreditation District leadership establishes and implements practices to support schools and departments  Direction: sets expectations and provides guidelines  Assistance: builds understanding and develops skills  Resources: provides people, materials, time and funds © 2010 AdvancED

Essentials For Success © 2010 AdvancED Quality Leadership Collaborative Culture Systems Perspective and Approach

AdvancED Accreditation Standards 1.Vision and Purpose 2.Governance and Leadership 3.Teaching and Learning 4.Documenting and Using Results 5.Resources and Support Systems 6.Stakeholder Communications and Relationships 7.Commitment to Continuous Improvement © 2010 AdvancED The district provides evidence of meeting the Standards for Quality Systems

AdvancED Standards  Cross state, regional, national and international boundaries  Are research informed  Focus on factors that contribute to student learning  Address variables schools/districts can impact  Are interrelated and systemically connected  Collectively form a picture of quality © 2010 AdvancED

Standards Rubrics Highly Functional © 2010 AdvancED The district is exceptional in its demonstration of the standard and exhibits practices not commonly found in other schools. A small percentage of districts have standards ratings at this level. The district is demonstrating the standard and using practices commonly found in other schools. Many districts have standards ratings at this level. Operational Emerging Not Evident The district is beginning to put in place the practices necessary to meet the standard but is not meeting it. Many districts have standards ratings at this level. The district has not put practices in place or beginning efforts to meet the standard. Some districts have standards ratings at this level.

Continuous Improvement The district has the responsibility to identify a continuous improvement process that: –Ensures continuity, coherence and alignment –Is implemented and monitored in systematic, systemic, and sustainable manner –Promotes purposeful action, at all levels, to improve student learning and organizational effectiveness –Addresses essential elements of improvement –Satisfies state and federal requirements © 2010 AdvancED

Elements of Continuous Improvement Plan and Implementation What future are you pursuing ? Vision Profile What is your current reality? What actions will you take to improve? What have you accomplished? Results Monitoring

Quality Assurance Internal Review – a mirror (ongoing) District implements methods to assess school and district standards, monitor progress, provide support, determine effectiveness of efforts External Review – a window (every five years) District participates in Quality Assurance Review District hosts a national team of professional peers Team provides validation, recognition, feedback © 2010 AdvancED

Internal Review Standards Assessment Report Submitted 6 months to 4 weeks prior to the visit  Executive Summary  Standards Section (for every standard) Rating of each indicator (rubric) Evidence for each indicator (artifacts and practices) Written standard narrative (focus questions)  Description of Quality Assurance Methods  Submission of Peer-to-Peer Practice (optional)  Conclusion: Insights, Strengths, Challenges © 2010 AdvancED

External Review QAR Team Determines extent to which district meets standards Assesses efficacy of improvement efforts Evaluates effectiveness of quality assurance methods Provides high-quality feedback –Standard level strengths and opportunities –Commendations and Required actions Communicates findings in oral and written form Makes an accreditation recommendation © 2010 AdvancED

The QAR Team Hears district presentations Interviews key district stakeholders Reviews artifacts Conducts school visits and classroom observations Holds team deliberations Presents findings: Oral Exit Report © 2010 AdvancED

Evidentiary Process Data Collecting Information Organizing Evidence Judging x

YOUR Role Communicate significance Secure Involvement Present key points –Cornerstones –Standards –Process –Important terms (systematic, systemic, sustainable, synergistic)

We believe in the power to transform. © 2010 AdvancED