1. Troy School District
External Review Exit Report
April 21-24, 2013

2. AdvancED
AdvancED is the global leader in advancing excellence in education through continuous improvement, organizational effectiveness and accreditation.
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3. Systems Accreditation
An international protocol for school systems committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable improvement
Builds capacity of the system and its schools to increase and sustain student learning
Stimulates and improves effectiveness and efficiency throughout the system
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4. Key Elements for Accreditation
Assessment of Standards and indicators
Self-Assessment
External Review Team Assessment
Student Performance Results
Stakeholder Perceptions
Student
Teacher
Parent
Unlike other governmental and non-governmental agencies that focus on only one facet of the institution, AdvancED uses a BALANCED, PERFORMANCE-BASED protocol that examines multiple facets of the institution and how these facets work together to produce results. The AdvancED process takes into consideration not just an evaluation of standards, but also student performance and stakeholder feedback.
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5. External Review The External Review team The External Review process
Is comprised of professional peers with diverse experiences and rich contextual perspectives
Assesses and evaluates district effectiveness in meeting requirements of accreditation
The External Review process
Provides important validation and recognition
Delivers valuable feedback and direction for improvement
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6. AdvancED Standards
3.25
3.5
2.75
3.12
3.2
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7. Learning Environment Ratings1
Equitable Learning Environment
2.8 2
High Expectations Environment
3.1 3
Supportive Learning Environment 4
Active Learning Environment
3.2 5
Progress Monitoring and Feedback Environment 6
Well-Managed Learning Environment
3.3 7
Digital Learning Environment
2.2
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8. Activities of the External Review Team
Conclusions
Activities of the External Review Team
Reviewed Standard Assessment Report and District Website
Listened to District Presentations
Interviewed District Stakeholders
Examined Artifacts
Visited a Representative Sample of Schools
Observed Practices and Learning Environment
Collected and Organized Data
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9. Conclusions
During the on-site External Review, team members visited 6 schools and interviewed:
6 Board members
41 Administrators
58 Teachers/Instructional Staff/Counselors
20 Support staff
34 Parents, community, and business partners
41 Students
TOTAL Stakeholders 200
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10. Conclusions
Progressive administrative and teacher leadership teams promote equitable learning opportunities for students and are highly responsive to community expectations. They are proactive in their thinking, very supportive of district initiatives and have strong working relationships.
Strong community relationships and business partnerships provide the district and its schools numerous opportunities for collaboration and shared leadership and advance improvement efforts. These collaborative relationships promote high expectations and strong academic achievement for students, as well as assist the district in advancing improvement efforts and system effectiveness.
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11. Conclusions
The diversity of the school district is embraced, valued and celebrated. Stakeholders truly believe diversity defines who they are as a school community and gives students unique learning experiences and opportunities.
Parental involvement enhances school effectiveness at all levels, creating a true partnership. This partnership and numerous volunteer efforts contribute to students’ academic and social growth.
Stakeholders share a meaningful vision of excellence that is embedded in the culture and serves as a source of pride for the community. The community’s perception is that Troy is a quality place to learn.
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12. Conclusions
Long range plans have been crafted to carefully plan for the preservation and management of human, physical, financial resources and support services necessary to sustain the vision and purpose of the district and to ensure the achievement of all students. Resource allocation is determined by student learning needs based upon on multiple data sources.
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13. Conclusions Powerful Practices
Troy School District has developed and implements a systemic and comprehensive internal review process to assist the schools in their efforts to monitor, document and communicate continuous improvement efforts. Through the implementation of this process, a variety of stakeholders are given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the work of the schools with a focus on increasing learning for all students.
Through the adoption of clear policies and procedures, the supportive nature of the governing body advances all aspects of the district's vision as the system continues to work collaboratively to develop the necessary processes, alignment, and measures needed to meet the standards and capacities expected for high performing systems.
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14. Conclusions Powerful Practices
The governing body of Troy School District has earned the distinction of being an “Honor Board” through the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). In addition, two of the governing body’s members have achieved the MASB’s Presidential Level of Service. These achievements reflect each Board member’s commitment to educational leadership through extensive training, coursework and professional development.
The governing body of Troy School District clearly understands its role in adopting, establishing, and maintaining policy for the benefit of its students, personnel, and community. They are highly supportive of school leadership as well as the teaching and learning process and operate in a fiscally responsible manner that maximizes the system’s financial resources while maintaining outstanding educational programs for students.
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15. Conclusions Powerful Practices
Promoting communication and positive relationships among stakeholders is part of the customer service philosophy promoted by the district. Numerous system-wide strategies are in place to facilitate communication and engage families in meaningful ways in their children’s education. The use of Edline and the district’s annual Student Learning Showcase serve as examples of this commitment.
Through a rigorous hiring process, the district actively recruits, employs and retains a highly-qualified, professional staff who possess a strong sense of efficacy dedicated to the creation of a caring, nurturing community and culture committed to high expectations for student success.
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16. Conclusions Powerful Practices
System and school leaders monitor and communicate comprehensive information about student learning and the achievement of improvement goals through the internal review process, the work of the District Continuous Improvement Team, systemic data meetings and vision planning meetings.
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17. Opportunities for Improvement
Conclusions
Opportunities for Improvement
Investigate ways to systematically formalize student advocacy programs to ensure each student’s academic and social success in school.
Create and consistently implement a systemic grading and reporting process that reflects each student’s attainment of content knowledge and skills across all schools, grade levels and courses.
© 2012 AdvancED

18. Required Actions
The External Review team determined Troy School District must act on the following:
Create, implement and evaluate a formalized plan of professional development that addresses the needs of all staff members as well as expands opportunities available through mentoring, coaching and induction.
Investigate ways to systemically and systematically formalize collaborative learning structures across the district that will provide and protect instructional time for staff and students. Uses of this time should include analyzing a multitude of data to differentiate instruction, group learners, target interventions and refine curriculum and assessments as well as examine student work, inform processes and provide staff members with meaningful opportunities for reflection.
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19. Accreditation Decision
External Review
Completed!
AdvancED Accreditation Office Reviews and Sends Report Back to Institution
30 Business Days
AdvancED Accreditation Commission Grants Accreditation and Status
January June
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20. Final Thoughts The External Review team:
Appreciates your hospitality, support, and professionalism;
Respects and acknowledges the efforts to improve the quality of your school district; and
Congratulates your progress towards achieving Systems Accreditation.
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21. We believe in the power of education.
© 2012 AdvancED