1. We can customize this slide with the name of the school

2. Objectives for the Program
Prepared for schools hosting visits in 2020
An overview of NEASC and CPSS
The 2020 Accreditation Process
The value to you and your school

3. An Overview of NEASC and CPSS

4. NEASC
NEASC – is the oldest regional educational accrediting association
NEASC includes 4 Commissions that accredit PreK – 16 schools
NEASC accredits over 2000 schools and colleges in six New England states and around the world

5. NEASC CPS – Commission on Public Schools (PreK-12)
CPSS – Committee on Public Secondary Schools
CPEMS – Committee on Public Elementary and Middle Schools
CTCI – Committee on Technical and Career Institutions
CIHE – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
CIE PS-12 – Commission on International Education
CIS – Commission on Independent Schools

6. Committee on Public Secondary Schools
CPSS is led by 26 volunteer Committee members from the six New England states
Building administrators, central office administrators, classroom teacher, and public member
CPSS accredits more than 630 member schools K-12, 7-12, and 9-12 in New England
Uses more than 1,100 volunteers each year
Mention the names of the state’s Commission members
We also have a few 8-12 schools

7. CPSS Professional staff Six administrative assistants
George Edwards, Director
Alyson Geary, Deputy Director
Edward Gallagher, Associate Director
Kathleen Montagano, Associate Director
Bruce Sievers, Associate Director
William Wehrli, Associate Director
Six administrative assistants

8. CPSS Professional Staff
George Edwards Ned Gallagher Director Associate Director Alyson Geary Bruce Sievers Deputy Director Associate Director Kathy Montagano Bill Wehrli Associate Director Associate Director

9. CPSS CPSS Mission Statement
The Committee on Public Secondary Schools in partnership with member schools ensures, through an ongoing accreditation process, that all students experience an equitable, quality education vital to the success of a democratic society.

10. CPSS
CPSS Core Values To achieve our mission CPSS commits to… • maintain relevant and dynamic Standards of Accreditation which define a quality education; • support member schools through self- evaluation, peer review, and ongoing monitoring; • support research-based practices critical to continuous school improvement; • model a culture of self-reflection, collaboration, and inquiry.

11. CPSS
CPSS Core Values
To support the CPSS mission, member schools agree to…
participate actively in the accreditation process;
demonstrate alignment to the Standards for Accreditation which fosters academic, social, civic growth for students, professional development for faculty, and continuous improvement and growth for schools.

12. NEASC/CPS 2020 A Vision for Learning

13. How did we get here? Over the last four years, there have been
regional meetings with principals and superintendents
feedback solicited from members and volunteers
surveys conducted of all member schools

14. Concerns about the current Accreditation process
Too prescriptive
Takes too much professional development time
Causes the school to stop other improvement initiatives
Gets the high school out of sync with the rest of the district
Too expensive
Redundant with other mandated processes

15. As a result
We convened several committees comprised of representatives from member schools which met to review both the process and the Standards
A new process has been developed and new Standards are in the process of being developed based on research and best practice

16. An Overview of the
2020 A Vision for Learning Accreditation Process

17. Overview The new Accreditation Process will:
provide opportunities for more sustained work with CPSS over time
differentiate the use of faculty members
use existing artifacts as evidence
encourage integration of school/district priorities
use smaller visiting committees
provide fewer overall recommendations that focus on stated areas for growth

18. Overview
Preparation for the decennial visit will begin 3 years before the visiting team arrives
For 2020 schools, the decennial cycle will begin in the fall of 2017
Instead of an month intensive self- study, schools will engage in a more sustained preparation for the decennial visit that will be aligned with their current school improvement efforts

19. Ten-Year Cycle for 2020 Protocol
Collaborative conference/visit 2018
New/revised Growth Plan 2021
Decennial visit
2020
Progress updates 2023
Implementation of Growth Plan 2019
Summary report 2019
Self-Reflection
2017
Development of Growth Plan 2018

20. Create Steering and Self- Reflection Committees
Step 1
Create Steering and Self- Reflection Committees

21. Accreditation Steering Committee
Guides oversight of the Accreditation process
Includes 3-8 members
one is the principal
two are Accreditation coordinators who are chosen by the principal to oversee the process

22. Self-Reflection Committee
The Self-Reflection Committee(s) will be
representative of multiple stakeholders in the school community
engage the school’s faculty in the self- reflection process

23. Who Will be Involved in the Self-Reflection?
A committee comprised of multiple stakeholders
Additional stakeholders that will be consulted for information and feedback
faculty and support staff
central office administrators
school board/committee
students, parents, community members, business partners, college partners
All faculty members will vote on the final report

24. The School Self- Reflection
Step 2
The School Self- Reflection

25. School Self-Reflection
The self-reflection
will evaluate the school’s alignment to the Standards for Accreditation
will take 2-6 months to complete

26. Elements of the Self-Reflection
A Look Back
Current Conditions
Capacity for Continuous Growth and Change as an Organization
Goals and Vision for the Future
Areas of Focus for NEASC School Growth Plan
(Overview Guide p. 5)

27. School Self-Reflection Process
The Self-Reflection committee will collect existing artifacts and evidence to help determine the school’s alignment to Standards
The school will conduct a survey for parents, students and faculty and use this data in the Self-Reflection
The final Self-Reflection will be reviewed and voted on by the faculty
The self-reflection process and related data collection will inform the school’s plan for growth

28. Survey for Parents, Students, and Faculty
The survey is
required for parents, students and faculty members as part of the school self-reflection phase
based on the Standards for Accreditation
provided free of charge from NEASC and can be repeated annually or at any time the school desires

29. Importance of Evidence
For the SCHOOL
Review of existing conditions
Basis for collaborative reflection by analysis of evidence
Helps draw conclusions about what the evidence shows about the school
Helps determine focus areas for school growth and improvement
For the VISITING TEAM
Provides the basis for the analysis of Self-Reflection and other evidence collected during visit
Helps draw conclusions about the school’s alignment to the Standards
Forms the basis for the school’s priority areas for growth and creation and implementation of the school growth plan

30. Developing Priority Areas
Based on the findings of the Self-Reflection Report, the school will develop priority areas for growth
Priority areas should be any area the school needs to address to be more fully aligned with the Standards
Priority areas can also center around school and district initiatives
Three to four priorities should be identified and at least one priority must relate to teaching and learning

31. Activity: Group Discussion
After reviewing the elements in the Self- Reflection report, what stands out about this report and the process to complete it?
How does it differ from the current Self-Study process?
What benefits or challenges might it bring?
Who might you involve in your Self-Reflection Committee?

32. The Collaborative Conference Visit
Step 3
The Collaborative Conference Visit

33. Purpose of the Collaborative Conference Visit
Gather information about current conditions in the school
Review the School Self-Reflection findings and the priority areas for improvement/growth
Ensure the identified priority areas reflect goals that have an impact on student learning
Ensure there are no obvious omissions or other needed improvement areas to align to the Standards

34. Overview of the Collaborative Conference Visit
The Collaborative Conference Team will consist of 2 – 4 visitors
The Conference takes 1-2 school days
Activities will include a school tour, classroom visits, and meetings with various stakeholders
The date and plans for the visit will be coordinated with the CPS liaison for the school

35. Collaborative Conference Report
The Collaborative Conference team will write a report reflecting upon the visit
The report will include
information from the Self-Reflection as well as observations from the visit
comments on the identified priority areas for the school growth plan
The report will be sent to the school and the Committee on Public Secondary Schools for review

36. Step 4
The School Growth Plan

37. School Growth Plan
The purpose is for the school to outline a vision for continuous improvement
The plan includes
priority areas identified by the school through the Self-Reflection
can also include school or district initiatives
The plan can be similar to or integrated into an existing school improvement plan
(Overview Guide p. 6-7)

38. School Growth Plan
The school leadership team is responsible for the growth plan
The faculty should be provided an opportunity to give input on the proposed plan
The plan goals should be aligned to the Standards for Accreditation
The school has 12 – 18 months to begin implementation of their plan

39. Group Discussion
How will the development of a growth plan benefit your school?
Does your school currently have a school improvement plan or another plan that guides the school’s improvement process?
How will you integrate the Standards into this plan?

40. The School Summary Report
Step 5
The School Summary Report

41. The School Summary Report
In preparation for the Decennial Accreditation visit, the school will develop a Summary Report
The report will include data and evidence to document the school’s achievement of the goals in the NEASC Growth Plan
The report can be prepared by school leadership and the Steering Committee or a separate committee can be formed for this purpose

42. Elements of the Summary Report
A Look Back
Progress on the Growth Plan
Looking Ahead
Capacity for Continuous Growth and Change as an Organization
(Overview Guide p. 8)

43. The Decennial Accreditation Visit
Step 6
The Decennial Accreditation Visit

44. Decennial Visit Goals
Assess the implementation of the school growth plan
Assess the school’s alignment to Standards
Ensure school has the capacity to be an effective learning organization
Provide targeted recommendations related to elements of the growth plan

45. Decennial Visit Details
In general, Decennial Visit teams will be 6–8 visitors for 3–4 days
The size of the team and the length of the visit will be determined by the size of the school and the scope of the growth plan
The visit will not include a requirement for teacher interviews on Sunday
The primary purpose will be to observe teaching and learning throughout the school

46. Highlights of Team Visit (TBD)
Focus on the implementation of the school growth plan and student impacts/outcomes
Panel presentation/overview of the school
Conversations with teachers
Examination of student work

47. Highlights of Team Visit (TBD)
Student shadowing
Classroom visits and observations
Meeting with steering committee
Meetings with various stakeholders

48. Continuous Improvement and Growth
Step 7
Continuous Improvement and Growth
Report
Accreditation Decision
Follow-Up

49. Decennial Report
The visiting team chair will send a draft report to the school within 6 weeks of the visit
The report will
be shorter and more targeted than previous decennial reports
contain detailed feedback on elements of the school growth plan, the school’s capacity for continual improvement, and a brief summary of the school’s alignment to all Standards

50. Accreditation Decision
The Committee on Public Secondary Schools will review the Decennial Report and decide on Continued Accreditation for the school

51. Revised Growth Plan The school will
revise the growth plan within one year of the Decennial Visit
take into consideration the recommendations received in the Decennial Report
submit the revised plan will be submitted to the Committee on Public Secondary Schools for review and comment

52. Follow-Up Reports The school will
receive more information about the follow-up process following the Decennial Visit
report on the major recommendations from the Decennial Visit and the implementation of the revised growth plan two years and five years after the submission of the plan

53. Summary

54. What has changed?
Schools are no longer required to assign all staff to a Standard Committee
The Self-Reflection process has been streamlined and will take 2 – 6 months
The Collaborative Conference Visit has been added to help schools apply their Self- Reflection to the development of a plan
Schools are required to develop a growth plan as part of the Accreditation process

55. What has Changed?
Schools will write a Summary Report for the visiting team
The decennial visiting teams will be tailored to meet the needs of the school
The visit is designed to increase focus on observing teaching and learning
Schools will develop an improved growth plan based on the recommendations from the Decennial Visit

56. What is the role of faculty through- out the Accreditation Process?
Participate in faculty discussions about alignment to the Standards
Provide evidence and feedback as needed for the Steering and Self-Reflection committee(s)
Review and approve the completed Self- Reflection
Provide input into the NEASC Growth Plan and participate in implementation
Participate in the Collaborative Conference and Decennial Visits

57. Timeline

58. Timeline for 2020 Schools
Spring of 2017 – Receive and complete an application for accreditation
Fall of 2017 – Attend an Accreditation seminar, receive a visit from a CPS staff member and develop a Steering Committee and Self-Reflection Committee
Fall/Winter 2017/Spring of 2018 – Write School Self-Reflection
Spring/Fall 2018 – Host Collaborative Conference Visit

59. Timeline for 2020 Schools (cont.)
Spring/Fall 2018 – Write Growth Plan
Fall 2018, Spring/Fall 2019 – Implement Growth Plan
Fall 2019/Spring 2020 – Write Summary Report
Spring/Fall 2020 – Host Decennial Visit
Spring/Fall 2021 – Revised Growth Plan is submitted to CPSS

60. Timeline for 2020 Schools Timeline Spring 2020 Schools
Fall 2020 Schools
Fall/Winter 2017
Complete Self-Reflection
Winter/Spring 2018
Host Collaborative Visit
Develop Growth Plan
Fall/Winter 2018
Implement Growth Plan
Winter/Spring 2019
Fall/Winter 2019
Write Summary Report
Winter/Spring 2020
Host Decennial Visit
Fall/Winter 2020
Update Growth Plan
Winter/Spring 2021

61. Accreditation Cycle

62. Existing Ten-Year Cycle
Evaluation Visit
Two-Year Report
Five-Year Report
Pre-Self Study
Self-Study
Special Progress Reports

63. Ten-Year Cycle for 2020 Protocol
Collaborative conference/visit 2018
New/revised Growth Plan 2021
Decennial visit
2020
Progress updates 2023
Implementation of Growth Plan 2019
Summary report 2019
Self-Reflection
2017
Development of Growth Plan 2018

64. NEASC Online Portal
The portal can be used as a tool throughout the Accreditation process
The school can create portal accounts for as many faculty members as desired
Write/upload the School Self-Reflection report and the Summary Report in the NEASC online portal
Upload/link pertinent evidence electronically into the portal
Generate the Self-Reflection Report and Summary Report automatically from the portal

65. Revised Standards
A draft will be available in late June, feedback solicited and a final copy ready by September
The same concepts from the current Standards will be present in the new Standards
The organization of the Standards will be revised
Schools will be asked to align with overarching principles rather than individual indicators

66. The Value of Accreditation to You and Your School

67. Value of Accreditation
Conduct and receive a rigorous analysis of present conditions so that needed changes may be carefully planned
Focus on the bigger picture and the school as a whole
Focus on systemic school improvement
Enjoy professional pride of working in an accredited institution

68. The Value of Accreditation
Assists administrators and teachers in working toward school improvement
Assures students that their school has the capacity to meet their educational needs
Affirms that school board educational policies and plans are guided by community values
Assures the local citizen that tax dollars are supporting 21st century school programs and a 21st century facility

69. Value of Accreditation
Self-Reflection
Peer Evaluation
School Improvement and Accountability

71. Thank you for your time and attention!
NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, INC. COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Alyson Geary, Deputy Director  |