1. Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2005 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review Team District Accreditation Abbeville, South Carolina

2. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 2 What does district accreditation involve? The capacity of a school system to address three major elements. As such, a school system must:The capacity of a school system to address three major elements. As such, a school system must: –Meet standards for accreditation; –Demonstrate a systemic and continuous process of improvement; and –Implement methods that provide for quality assurance.

3. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 3 Role and Responsibilities Quality Assurance Review Assess the capacity of the system to meet the standards;Assess the capacity of the system to meet the standards; Assess the efficacy and impact of the improvement process;Assess the efficacy and impact of the improvement process; Assess the effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurance;Assess the effectiveness of the system’s methods for quality assurance; Identify strengths of the system deserving of commendation; andIdentify strengths of the system deserving of commendation; and Develop recommendations which are designed to help strengthen the school system.Develop recommendations which are designed to help strengthen the school system.

4. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 4 Procedures Followed Quality Assurance Review The Quality Assurance Review TeamThe Quality Assurance Review Team –Reviewed documentation provided by the school system; –Developed points of inquiry for the on-site review; –Established, in collaboration with district personnel, a schedule of activities and interactions that would provide for significant stakeholder involvement; –Conducted interviews of a representative set of stakeholders throughout the district; and –Engaged in professional deliberations as a team to consider the capacity of the school system to meet the requirements for district accreditation.

5. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 5 Interviews with Stakeholders During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed:During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed: –The Superintendent of Schools –7 members of the Board of Education –The 7 members of central office staff –29 School-level administrators –59 Teachers, Counselors, Media staff –28 Students –23 Parents –17 Business partners/ Community members – 6 Others (SRO, Caf. Mgr.,Secretary, Teacher assistants) 177 TOTAL

6. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 6 Evidential Process In considering the evidence as provided through data, documentation, observation, and dialogue, the Quality Assurance TeamIn considering the evidence as provided through data, documentation, observation, and dialogue, the Quality Assurance Team –Sought a district perspective; –Pursued evidence that could be correlated through multiple sources; –Examined the context and capacity of the school system in relation to its vision, mission, and beliefs; and –Applied the criteria for accreditation.

7. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 7 Summary of our Observations Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by the school district.Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by the school district. Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district.Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district. Commendations…professional commendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.Commendations…professional commendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team. Limitations…conditions that exist which are potential barriers.Limitations…conditions that exist which are potential barriers. Challenges…opportunities that the district may seek to address for further improvement.Challenges…opportunities that the district may seek to address for further improvement. Recommendations…professional recommendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.Recommendations…professional recommendations by the Quality Assurance Review Team.

8. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 8Accomplishments Development of Data Teams Development of Data Teams Introducing MAP Testing Introducing MAP Testing Realignment of Resources Realignment of Resources Strong Community Support Strong Community Support No Schools in School Improvement No Schools in School Improvement 100% Highly Qualified Teachers 100% Highly Qualified Teachers SC 5 th Best Completion Rate in Adult Education SC 5 th Best Completion Rate in Adult Education 95.5% Attendance Rate 95.5% Attendance Rate Pursuing Participation in High Schools That Work Pursuing Participation in High Schools That Work Increase in Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Increase in Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards

9. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 9Commendations The Quality Assurance Review Team commends Abbeville County School District for: Leadership with a VisionLeadership with a Vision Initiation of Systemic Change for ImprovementInitiation of Systemic Change for Improvement Using MAP Testing to Improve InstructionUsing MAP Testing to Improve Instruction Establishing Data Teams to Drive InstructionEstablishing Data Teams to Drive Instruction A Positive Relationship between Central Office and the Board of TrusteesA Positive Relationship between Central Office and the Board of Trustees Maintaining a Focus on Instruction with Reduced ResourcesMaintaining a Focus on Instruction with Reduced Resources Effective and Timely Communication Between, and Among allEffective and Timely Communication Between, and Among all Stakeholders Stakeholders

10. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 10 Commendations (cont.) Commendations (cont.) 5K-Grade 8 Uniform Defined Curriculum5K-Grade 8 Uniform Defined Curriculum A Commitment to 21 st Century TechnologyA Commitment to 21 st Century Technology Centralized Purchasing SystemCentralized Purchasing System Meeting Perkins’ Goals for 5 years at Career CenterMeeting Perkins’ Goals for 5 years at Career Center Alignment of School Calendar with WPECAlignment of School Calendar with WPEC Teacher Assistant-to-Teacher ProgramTeacher Assistant-to-Teacher Program Maintenance and Cleanliness of Facilities and CampusesMaintenance and Cleanliness of Facilities and Campuses

11. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 11Challenges/Limitations Dealing with Declining EnrollmentDealing with Declining Enrollment Involving all Stakeholders in the School Improvement ProcessInvolving all Stakeholders in the School Improvement Process Safeguarding Necessary Services and Programs Impacted Due to Declining Enrollment and the Loss of FundsSafeguarding Necessary Services and Programs Impacted Due to Declining Enrollment and the Loss of Funds Using Analysis of Assessment Results EffectivelyUsing Analysis of Assessment Results Effectively Providing Equitable Course/Program Offerings at all Schools Throughout the DistrictProviding Equitable Course/Program Offerings at all Schools Throughout the District Closing the Achievement Gap Between Sub- groupsClosing the Achievement Gap Between Sub- groups

12. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 12 Challenges/Limitations (Cont.) Working with a Limited Data HistoryWorking with a Limited Data History Expanding Community/School/Business Partnerships in a Small, Rural CommunityExpanding Community/School/Business Partnerships in a Small, Rural Community Attracting and Retaining Diverse and Highly Qualified Personnel Throughout the DistrictAttracting and Retaining Diverse and Highly Qualified Personnel Throughout the District Increasing Parental Involvement at all LevelsIncreasing Parental Involvement at all Levels

13. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 13Recommendations Provide Comprehensive Professional Development in the School Improvement Planning ProcessProvide Comprehensive Professional Development in the School Improvement Planning Process Implement Written Measurable Strategies at the School Level to Monitor Effectiveness of Improvement Plans as They Impact Student AchievementImplement Written Measurable Strategies at the School Level to Monitor Effectiveness of Improvement Plans as They Impact Student Achievement Expand Defined Curriculum to Include Subject Areas Taught in Grades 9-12Expand Defined Curriculum to Include Subject Areas Taught in Grades 9-12 Develop Plans to Address Issues of Declining Enrollment and Equity in Course Offering and ProgramsDevelop Plans to Address Issues of Declining Enrollment and Equity in Course Offering and Programs

14. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 14 Next Steps A written report of our findings and observations will be drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Schools within 30 days.A written report of our findings and observations will be drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Schools within 30 days. After receipt of the report, the district is expected toAfter receipt of the report, the district is expected to –Review and communicate the findings and observations contained in the report; –Initiate steps to address the recommendations in the report; –Continue to monitor accreditation requirements for the system and its schools; –Monitor the execution and impact of strategies for improvement; and –Continue to engage methods that provide for quality assurance.

15. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 15 Final Recommendation The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that the Abbeville County Schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system.The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that the Abbeville County Schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system. Once approved, the district and all its schools are thereby accredited.Once approved, the district and all its schools are thereby accredited.

16. Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 16 Final Thoughts On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, I extend:On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, I extend: –Our appreciation for your hospitality, support, and professionalism; –Our respect and acknowledgement of the quality of the school district; and –Our congratulations for achieving district accreditation as a quality system.

17. Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2005 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools … helping schools and school systems improve student learning through accreditation