December 8, 2010 Ensuring Educator Excellence

2 1. Accreditation Handbook 2. Team Member Ethics 3. Responsibilities prior to arriving at the Site Visit 4. Travel Information 5. Technology on the Visit

3 6. Working as a team member 7. Interview strategies 8. Standard Findings 9. Accreditation Recommendation 10. Evaluating the visit Plus specialized topics

A. Responsibility for understanding the Common Standards B. Before arriving at the site visit C. Bringing data together—from multiple sources and programs into the Common Standards (Is what the team wants to cite part of the standard? Where is the preponderance of evidence?) D. Utilizing Biennial Reports in the review of the Common Standards E. Program Assessment and the Program Sampling Cluster F. Format for Common Standard report G. How to divide writing responsibilities 4

5  Accreditation Handbook (2009) ◦ Best resource for team members ◦ Chapter 10: Accreditation Site Visit Team Member Information ◦ Review this chapter before arriving at the site visit

6  Accreditation requires the highest standard of ethical behavior and professionalism ◦ Interviews are held in strict confidence ◦ Team deliberations are confidential and not to be shared with non-team members

7  Ethical and professional behavior of BIR members should not end when the site visit is complete: ◦ BIR members should never discuss the details of a review with others ◦ While reports are public, BIR members must always use good professional judgment when asked about reviews The success of the accreditation system depends upon YOU!

8  Make travel arrangements  Submit food/special needs  Read document (s) appropriate for your team assignment  Review electronic evidence  Formulate basic questions

9  Team Member Information from Teri A.  Use Travel Store to book flights  Use the most economical mode of transportation ◦ Hotel shuttle, if available ◦ A Shuttle Service ◦ A Taxi if necessary  Submit transportation receipts for reimbursements ! Member information page

10  Standards documents—electronic  Site Visit documentation—electronic  Exhibits—electronic ◦ Notify staff if you plan to bring a laptop ◦ Notify staff if you need a hard copy of your document (s)

 Each team member is responsible for the content of the Common Standards  Use the Glossary  Team Lead and Commission Consultant are your resources 11

1. Educational Leadership 2. Unit and Program Assessment and Evaluation 3. Resources 4. Faculty and Instructional Personnel 5. Admission 6. Advice and Assistance 7. Field Experience and Clinical Practice 8. District-Employed Supervisors 9. Assessment of Candidate Competence 12

 As you review the Common Standards Document, note evidence you have seen in the top box  Note evidence you want to look for in the lower box  Arrive on the first day (Sunday) with the Pre-Visit Worksheet completed 13 Pre-Visit Worksheet

14  Understand your assigned role  Leave your own program at home  Use your time wisely  Understand the timelines for submitting drafts of report to team lead  Assist in gathering information for other team members  Participate in team discussions

15 1. Introduce Yourself 2. Explain Why You Are Interviewing Each Person 3. Reduce Anxiety 4. Assure Confidentiality 5. Maintain a Professional Perspective 6. Use Active Listening 7. Take Notes

16 8. Ask Questions Related to Standards 9. Avoid Questions That Can Be Answered “Yes” or “No” 10. Pursue Questions Until You Are Sure They Are Answered 11. Do Not Accept Unsupported Conclusions 12. Be Aware of Time—Adhere to the Schedule 13. Ask a Wrap-Up Question 14. Cross-Check Information

 Day 2—am: Exploring and Gathering ◦ “Tell me about the program…” ◦ “Describe your role in…”  Day 2—pm: Confirming and Clarifying ◦ “Let me see if I understand…can you share with me…” ◦ “ 17

 Day 3—am: Final Issues ◦ “I have talked with a good number of individuals, I have 2 or 3 specific questions for you and then will invite you to share any comments you have…” 18

 Work with the Programs Sampling Cluster members  A single instance of evidence will be considered an outlier  Work to confirm from multiple sources— documentary and interview  Discuss with team and consult with Team Lead 19

 Prior to arriving at the site visit, review the Biennial Report:  Each program’s report  Dean/Superintendent Summary (Part B)  CTC feedback 20

 Program Assessment began 2 years prior to the site visit  Many Program Standards will have been identified as “Preliminarily Aligned”  Other Program Standards will be reviewed onsite  Sample across 3 categories: Program Design, Course of Study (Curriculum and Field Experience), and Candidate Competence 21

 Varies depending on the size of the team  Team Lead makes these decisions; you will be asked for your preferences  Each team member is responsible for the full team report 22

23 The team must reach a decision on each standard; Common and Program: Met - all phrases of the standard are evident and effectively implemented. Met with concern(s) - One or more phrases of the standard are not evident or are ineffectively implemented. Not Met - Significant phrases of the standard are not evident or are so ineffectively implemented that it is not possible to see the standard in the program.

 Writing Worksheet: use during the collection of evidence  Report Template: prompts to assist in the writing of the report  Sample Common Standards report provided  Blue text in template— means to replace with your own writing 24

25 The team has 4 options in making a recommendation on Accreditation:  Accreditation  Accreditation with Stipulations  Accreditation with Major Stipulations  Accreditation with Probationary Stipulations Handbook: Chapter 8

26  If the recommendation is not “Accreditation,” the team must write proposed stipulations.  Identify the specific area where the institution/program is not meeting the standard(s).  Consultant and Team Lead will guide this process.

27 ◦ Electronic survey  Team members  Team Lead  Institution ◦ Complete the survey within one week. ◦ Contact Administrator of Accreditation (or Division Director) with any concerns you do not want to put into writing.