Learning About Accreditation for Growth

1
Learning About Accreditation for Growth

• Through the Middle States Association

2
What is the Middle States Association?

• The Middle States Association is a private,
  non-profit organization that provides leadership
  in school improvement.

3
What is Accreditation?

• Accreditation is a standard setting and review
  process based on the dual concepts of
  self-regulation and quality improvement.

4
What is Accreditation for Growth (AFG)?

• AFG is a planning process that
• Focuses on student performance
• Provides an strategic plan
• Is based on a mission, vision, and beliefs
• Is based on a school description using data
• Emphasizes broad stakeholder involvement
• Reflects forward thinking and incorporates
  ongoing review

5
Who Needs To Learn About AFG?

• Board of Education
• School, Faculty, and Staff
• School Planning Team
• Parents via PTA, Newsletters
• Students
• Community

6
AFG Components

• Planning Process
• Planning Committee
• Content of the Plan
• Mission and Belief Statements
• Student Growth Objectives
• Action Plans
• Satisfaction of MSA Standards
• MSA Standards Survey
• Validation of Process, Content, and Standards
• MSA Site Visit
• Annual review of progress towards SGOs

7
What Does Each School Have to Do?

• Identify Internal Coordinator
• Train Internal Coordinator and Principal
• Establish a school planning team
• Describe school using data (Context)
• Establish a mission with vision and beliefs
• Set 2 or more Student Performance Objectives
• Establish an action plan with benchmarks
• Develop or find multiple criteria for measurement
• Meet Middle States Association Standards

8
What Does Each School Have to Do?

• Complete MSA report
• Host a Validation Team
• Report progress each year
• Review Action Plan regularly

9
What is a Mission Statement?

• Statement which reflects
• Who we serve
• What we do
• Why we do it
• What makes us unique
• How we do it

10
What are Belief Statements?

• Belief Statements are
• Formal expressions of our values
• Descriptions of what we aspire to be

11
What are Student Growth Objectives?

• Objectives established to focus accreditation
  process on student achievement
• Identify areas of greatest needs and importance
• Evaluate growth over period of time
• Serve as basis for future accreditation

12
MSA Standards We Must Meet

• Philosophy, Mission, and Beliefs
• Governance
• Organizational Design
• Educational Programs
• Learning Media and Technology
• Student Services
• Student Life
• Facilities
• Health and Safety
• Finances
• Assessment of Student Learning
• Planning

13
MSA Standards Survey

• Will provide insight into the 12 MSA Standards
• Completed by teachers, staff, parents, students
• Identifies schools strengths and weaknesses
• Guides Student Growth Objectives and Action Plans
• Results will be analyzed and shared with community

14
Site Visit

• A Validation Team will visit all schools in the
  district
• They will review each aspect of the AFG process,
  content, standards
• They will interact with the community and
  Planning Committee
• They will report their findings
• They will make an accreditation recommendation

15
Ongoing Review

• Planning Team meets annually
• Action Plans reviewed and revised
• MSA makes a mid-point review
• Re-accreditation can occur