1. Recognizing Quality School Systems Billy K. Floyd, Director Mary Ann Keeley, Director Richard Parkins, Assoc. Director Southeast Region Northeast Region Northeast Region Systems Accreditation

2. A Picture of AdvancED World’s Largest Educational Community 30,000 public and private schools 50 states and Navajo Nation Department of Defense Education Activity 70 countries 15 million students 16 thousand volunteers 3 million plus teachers 2

3. © 2012 AdvancED 3 North Central Association Southern Association Northwest Association Western Association Middle States New England

4. System Accreditation A national protocol for school systems committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable continuous improvement Builds the capacity of the system and its schools to increase and sustain student learning Stimulates and supports improvement and effectiveness throughout the system 4

5. System Accreditation Ensures all people, processes, departments and operations of the system work in concert Strengthens efforts to meet accountability requirements Encourages growth beyond compliance to achieve excellence Promotes continuous not episodic improvement 5

6. Three Pillars of Accreditation School Systems Must Meet quality standards Engage in continuous improvement Demonstrate quality assurance 6

7. Accreditation Process systems will be accredited for a five-year term Internal Review system conducts an internal review of its current capacity in meeting accreditation standards External Review system hosts an external review conducted by professional peers Continuous Improvement system continues to monitor, document, and evaluate its improvement efforts 7

8. Accreditation Process Accreditation and Continuous Improvement Systems and their schools will: Meet AdvancED standards Engage in a valid continuous improvement process Implement internal quality assurance methods 8

9. 9 5-Year Accreditation Term Constantly Assess Learn Improve Host an External Review Team Submit Accreditation Progress Report After the External Review Submit SA, Executive Summary, Student Data and Stakeholder Survey Results

10. AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems The system provides evidence for: Purpose and Direction Governance and Leadership Teaching and Assessing for Learning Resources and Support Systems Using Results for Continuous Improvement 10

11. AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems Standard comprehensive statement of quality practices and conditions Indicators operational definitions or descriptions of practices and processes Impact Statement characteristics, processes, and actions that would be observable and verifiable in a system that effectively implements the standard 11

12. AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems Are aligned with AdvancED Standards for Quality Schools Are based on research Are inter-related, interdependent, and systemically connected Focus on factors that contribute to student learning Address variables schools and systems can impact 12

13. Continuous Improvement The system has the responsibility and flexibility to identify and implement a systemic process of continuous improvement One process is used by system and schools The process promotes continuity, coherence, alignment and collaborative planning All schools and departments work to achieve system vision and goals The system encourages customized planning at the school level 13

14. Continuous Improvement The system: Is responsible for providing quality leadership to maximize effectiveness and learning Establishes practices to support schools and departments with their improvement initiatives Direction: sets expectations and guidelines Assistance: builds understanding and skill Resources: provides adequate people, materials, time 14

15. Quality Assurance The system: Implements methods to monitor and guide improvement at the system and school levels Participates in an External Review every five years 15

16. Quality Assurance The system: Designs an internal process that is ongoing Demonstrates organizational integrity Designs and implements a program of assessment practices and methods monitor and document improvement provide meaningful feedback and support ensure standards are met and strengthened Collects, uses, and communicates results 16

17. External Review Process External Review every five years System hosts a visit by a national team of professional peers who: Assess the effectiveness of the system in meeting the requirements of systems accreditation Interview the system’s staff and stakeholders Visit a representative sample of schools System receives commendations and Required Actions from the team Review provides system and community with validation and recognition 17

18. System Reports Prior to the visit, the system prepares the Self Assessment Assesses and demonstrates how the system meets accreditation standards Submits the SA electronically within 6 months to 6 weeks of the External Review 18

19. System and School Expectations Meet AdvancED Accreditation Standards Implement a continuous improvement process Conduct Internal Review Standards Self Assessment Executive Summary Stakeholder Feedback Diagnostic Student Performance Diagnostic Improvement Plan Assurances Host External Review Respond to Required Actions © 2012 AdvancED

20. Requirements © 2012 AdvancED * Does not count toward accreditation status until 2013-2014

21. Accessing Requirements in ASSIST www.advanc-ed.org

22. © 2010 AdvancED

23. Profile and Demographics

24. Executive Summary “Tells the Story” Description of Institution Purpose Achievements and Notable Improvements Additional Information © 2012 AdvancED

25. Executive Summary

26. Standards Self Assessment * Standards – statements of quality – Indicators – descriptive targets Rate performance level (4 point scale) Identify supporting evidence – Write a short standard narrative Describe process used to gather and analyze data! *Self Assessment Workbook © 2012 AdvancED

27. © 2010 AdvancED Self Assessment

28. Stakeholder Feedback Surveys Engages all stakeholders Administered to Parents, Students and Staff Items aligned with standard indicators Administered prior to the External Review Web based at no cost – available anytime Paper versions Informs improvement © 2012 AdvancED

29. Stakeholder Feedback Diagnostic Process of administration is important – How and who Responses and response rate are significant Worksheet (Guide to Administering Stakeholder Surveys available at www.advanc-ed.org/assistresources)www.advanc-ed.org/assistresources Input aggregate scores - 5 point scale – Report number of responses - reliability – Performance level computed as data is entered Analyze results for areas of satisfaction and improvement © 2012 AdvancED

30. Student Performance Incorporates test results into accreditation Involves a package of summative assessments Score derived from collective of test results Scope of performance is cross curricular Status and improvement are documented – Level of performance and quality of instruction Quality and results are analyzed Informs improvement © 2012 AdvancED

31. Student Performance Results Summative Data Collection – Simple process to record student performance in multiple areas Analyze Quality and Results of Assessments – Three four-level scales: Quality and Reliability Alignment to Curriculum Disaggregation Worksheet – Instructions, definitions, explanations, assistance © 2012 AdvancED

32. Student Performance

33. Goals and Improvement Plan Develop and implement a comprehensive plan – Monitor impact and analyze results – Use to inform continuous improvement Make sure the plan is connected to data collected from diagnostics Use ASSIST or upload your School’s or District’s Plan under the Assurances tab – Goals, objectives, strategies, activities, etc. The plan serves as a blueprint or road map © 2012 AdvancED

34. Assurances Please note the AdvancED Policies and Procedures will not be updated until July 1, 2012 1.Complies with AdvancED policies and procedures 2.Reports all substantive changes 3.Has a written crisis and security management plan 4.Monitors financial transactions – audit system 5.Engages in continuous improvement and implements an improvement plan © 2012 AdvancED

35. Assurances Select Year Hosting External Review

36. System Reports Following the External Review, the system will submit an Accreditation Progress Report (APR) The system should share the actions that have been implemented (or planned) to address the Required Actions in the External Review report School systems are required to act on the Required Actions! 36

37. System Expectations Meet the AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems Identify and guide the implementation of a systemic continuous improvement process Monitor its schools through an External Review process Prepare and host an External Review every five years 37

38. School Expectations Meet the AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools Implement the system’s continuous school improvement process Participate in the system’s External Review process 38

39. Snapshot of District Accreditation External Review Evening Before Visit Begins – Team meeting for orientation at the Hotel (2-3 hours) Day 1– District Presentations and Interview – Superintendent provides general orientation to Team (approx. 45-60 minutes) – System personnel provide brief presentation on the district’s adherence to each of the five standards and highlight key artifacts related to the standard. – Team interviews Superintendent, central leadership staff, board members, and major stakeholders; team members conduct artifact review – Team work sessions & artifact review in preparation for school visits

40. Snapshot of District Accreditation External Review Day 2 – School Visits – Mini-teams visit selected schools, receive an instructional walkthrough, visit classrooms, and interview: The school leadership team and school improvement team; Teachers; Parents and community stakeholders; and Students (teams typically visit two schools – one in the morning and one in the afternoon). – A brief concluding meeting is held with the principal at the end of each school visit. – Team debrief of school visits and team work sessions

41. Snapshot of District Accreditation External Review Day 3 – Standards & Quality Assurance Verification and Team Deliberations – Team conducts follow-up interviews with Superintendent and central leadership staff to finalize verification of the district standards and quality assurance practices – Team reviews findings and develops final consensus recommendations – Team chair meets with Superintendent to review key findings and recommendations of the Team – Team chair provides oral exit report to district stakeholders and the school board at the conclusion of the review

42. Essential To Success Effective Leadership Establishes system-wide direction Develops processes to monitor and maintain efforts Provides support, guidance, assistance, resources Ensures accountability Systems Approach A systemic and systematic process is implemented All system elements are focused, connected, aligned All system elements work together to benefit students 42

43. Essential To Success Culture Professional culture of learning, collaboration, and reflective practice Stakeholders demonstrate trust and respect High expectations for staff and students Effective Communication Stakeholders are informed and meaningful engaged Systematic processes are developed and used systemically 43

44. Steps to System Accreditation Applicant Status Submit a letter of interest Complete the Self Assessment of Readiness Host a Readiness Visit Submit a letter of commitment 44

45. Steps to System Accreditation Candidate Status Ensure all schools are accredited or are candidates for accreditation Submit preferred dates for the External Review Prepare for the External Review Complete the accreditation documents Host the External Review team Communicate findings to the community 45

46. Steps to System Accreditation Accredited Status Act on the findings from the External Review team Continue to implement the AdvancED system accreditation process Adhere to AdvancED Standards Engage in continuous improvement Monitor for quality assurance Complete and submit the Accreditation Progress Report 46

47. © 2012 AdvancED AdvancED Key Resources – AdvancED Staff – Printed Resources – Electronic Resources Login, register, and tour! www.advanc-ed.org www.advanc-ed.org/systemsresources www.advanc-ed.org/schoolresources

48. Thank you for your interest in AdvancED System Accreditation