Top Five Weakness FOR SCHOOLS OFFERING INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAMS (IEP)

The Data  Top five most commonly sited weaknesses were determined based on the past six completed accreditation cycles (December August 2015).  This included:  125 team reports (61 of which were main campuses)  79 reaccreditation visits  46 initial accreditation visits

#1  Standard III.B – Financial Procedures (64.0% - 80/125)  Refund policy not compliant with ACCET Document 31.ESL  No Refund calculation worksheet completed  Incorrect refund calculations made  Late refunds  Separation of duties  Refund Request Form

Now What?  How to respond to team report weakness:  Revise the Policy  Evidence of staff training  Evidence of implementation….  No refunds to show? – provide a hypothetical  How to ensure compliance:  Review ACCET Document 31.ESL  Know your state refund policy (if licensed by the state)  Complete a Refund Calculation worksheet for EVERY STUDENT who withdraws or drops  What to do today?  “ESL Program Refund Policies” Breakout Session 3pm-4:15 in Starlight West

#2  VIII.A – Student Progress (60.0% - 75/125)  Student Progress policy not compliant with ACCET Document 18.IEP  Qualitative and Quantitative  Timeframes for evaluation  Individualized Learning Plans  Appeals Process  36 month maximum

Now What?  How to respond to team report weakness:  Revision to Policy  Evidence of staff training  Evidence of implementation  Provide student grade reports/warning/letters/termination notices/learning plans/appeals  How to ensure compliance  Document 18.IEP and Document 18.1.IEP  What to do today?  “Don’t SAP Your Students’ Spirit: Giving Effective Feedback for Student Success” 10:30am-11:45 in Starlight West

#3  VIII.B – Attendance (58.4% - 73/125)  Attendance Policy not complaint with ACCET Document 35  No tardy or early departure policy  Multiple attendance policies  Make-up Work  Leave of Absence  Vacation

Now What?  How to respond to team report weakness:  Revision to Policy  Evidence of staff training  Evidence of implementation  Provide attendance reports/warning/letters/termination notices  How to ensure compliance:  Review ACCET Document 35  Audit attendance records  What to do today?  Review Call for Comment on the ACCET website (accet.org); specifically, proposed changes to ACCET Document 35

#4  IV.C – Performance Measures (44.8% - 56/125)  Standardized/Consistently applied assessment system is not implemented across instructors  No Rubrics (participation)  “A valid and reliable test instrument that is nationally recognized is also used for an external validation on the acquisition of language proficiency, at a minimum, in fulfillment of the institution's exit requirements.” – ACCET Field Specific Criteria  Initial Placement test does not align with objectives of the program/level

Now What?  How to respond to team report weakness:  Revision to Policy, tests, rubrics,  Evidence of staff/instructor training  Evidence of implementation  Provide rubrics, completed grade reports, exit tests, placement tests – completed and analyzed!  How to ensure compliance:  Review Standard IV.C and your faculty handbook  Faculty Meeting In-Service  What to do today?  Review Call for Comment on the ACCET website (accet.org); specifically, proposed changes to ACCET Document 3.ESOL (ASER template)

#5  VI.A – Qualifications of Instructional Personnel (33.6% - 42/125)  ACCET Criteria  (1) a bachelor’s degree of three months of full-time equivalent ESL or foreign language classroom teaching experience  or (2) a bachelor’s degree along with a certificate in teaching ESL or a foreign language, that includes a practice teaching component  Near Native Fluency  Written Requirements

Now What?  How to respond to team report weakness:  Revised requirements  Evidence of implementation  Faculty change / additional training  How to ensure compliance:  Review all faculty qualifications  Hire qualified applicants  What to do today?  High Five your qualified teachers

The Good News  Most Common Strengths:  VII.D – Student Services  VI.C – Instructor Orientation and Training  V.A – Instructional Methods  II.B – Operational Management  II.F – Professional Relationships