1. Council on Accreditation and School Improvement © 2007 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review Team District Accreditation Forsyth County Schools

2. 2 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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. 3 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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. 4 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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. 5 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Interviews with Stakeholders During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed:During the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members interviewed: 1 Superintendent of Schools 5 Members of the Board of Education 18 Administrators (district-level) 58 Administrators (school-level) 123 Parents and business partners 143Teachers 53Students 401Total

6. 6 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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. 7 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Summary of our Observations Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district.Strengths…conditions that exist which benefit the school district. Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by the school district.Achievements…recent accomplishments achieved by 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. 8 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Strengths Committed Board of Education members understand roles and responsibilitiesCommitted Board of Education members understand roles and responsibilities High degree of confidence in the visionary leadership of the SuperintendentHigh degree of confidence in the visionary leadership of the Superintendent Quality of administrators, faculty, and staffQuality of administrators, faculty, and staff Positive rapport between students and teachersPositive rapport between students and teachers Belief is fostered that change creates opportunitiesBelief is fostered that change creates opportunities Clear roadmap for the future – Vision 2010Clear roadmap for the future – Vision 2010 Data-driven decision-makingData-driven decision-making TechnologyTechnology

9. 9 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Strengths Transparency of decisions and processesTransparency of decisions and processes Multiple opportunities for stakeholder inputMultiple opportunities for stakeholder input Central office existing to support families and teaching and learningCentral office existing to support families and teaching and learning Curriculum maps to guide instructional decision- makingCurriculum maps to guide instructional decision- making Accessibility of data and information to teachers and familiesAccessibility of data and information to teachers and families Strong partnership with the Chamber of CommerceStrong partnership with the Chamber of Commerce High level of trust, collaboration, and pride at all levels and among all stakeholdersHigh level of trust, collaboration, and pride at all levels and among all stakeholders

10. 10 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Accomplishments PaceSetter Awards for 2 years for students with disabilitiesPaceSetter Awards for 2 years for students with disabilities 16 Office of Student Achievement Medal awards16 Office of Student Achievement Medal awards GSBA Board of Distinction AwardGSBA Board of Distinction Award Board of Education recognized as the Most Digitally Advanced in the NationBoard of Education recognized as the Most Digitally Advanced in the Nation Outstanding Archives Award 2006Outstanding Archives Award 2006

11. 11 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Accomplishments Passing SPLOST and bondPassing SPLOST and bond 3 Georgia Schools of Excellence (2005-2006)3 Georgia Schools of Excellence (2005-2006) 2 National Blue Ribbon Schools2 National Blue Ribbon Schools 62 National Board Certified Teachers62 National Board Certified Teachers Largest installation of whiteboards in the nationLargest installation of whiteboards in the nation Numerous other achievementsNumerous other achievements

12. 12 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Commendations The Quality Assurance Review Team commends the Forsyth County Schools for:The Quality Assurance Review Team commends the Forsyth County Schools for: –Updating current facilities and planning for future needs –Utilizing a strategic planning process for over ten years –Providing consistent, equitable resources for students across schools –Offering schools flexibility in budgeting and management –Focusing on the design of engaging work for students

13. 13 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Commendations The Quality Assurance Review Team commends the Forsyth County Schools for:The Quality Assurance Review Team commends the Forsyth County Schools for: –Creating a centralized registration process –Using technology as a tool to access, teach, and demonstrate the curriculum –Committing to an informative and timely website –Building capacity and teacher leadership through explicit modeling –Encouraging differentiated professional learning (Focused Choice)

14. 14 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Limitations GrowthGrowth County infrastructure (e.g., roads, traffic)County infrastructure (e.g., roads, traffic) GrowthGrowth State legislation (e.g., class size)State legislation (e.g., class size) GrowthGrowth Impending changes in state fundingImpending changes in state funding GrowthGrowth Increasing diversityIncreasing diversity GrowthGrowth Price and availability of landPrice and availability of land

15. 15 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Challenges High School ImprovementHigh School Improvement Transportation planningTransportation planning Desire to remain fiscally accountable regarding the millage rateDesire to remain fiscally accountable regarding the millage rate Quantity of professional learning required for recently-hired faculty in Forsyth County SchoolsQuantity of professional learning required for recently-hired faculty in Forsyth County Schools

16. 16 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Challenges Responding to changing demographics and diverse needs of studentsResponding to changing demographics and diverse needs of students Impact of frequent redistrictingImpact of frequent redistricting Multiple avenues available to graduateMultiple avenues available to graduate Growth presents communication challenges for all stakeholdersGrowth presents communication challenges for all stakeholders

17. 17 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Recommendations The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends that Forsyth County Schools:The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends that Forsyth County Schools: –Devise a transition plan for the Superintendency to maintain quality learning and superior performance for all (Standards 2, 6) –Implement High School Improvement Plan (Standard 4) –Explore more strategies to support diverse groups of students (Standard 7) –Assess avenues for parent and community input on school improvement plans that will allow stakeholders to more readily understand and articulate the school goals (Standards 8, 10)

18. 18 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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.

19. 19 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation Final Recommendation The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, without reservation, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that Forsyth County Schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system.The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, without reservation, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that Forsyth 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.

20. 20 Oral Exit Report Quality Assurance Review District Accreditation 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.

21. …helping schools and school systems improve student learning through accreditation