Building and Recognizing Quality School Systems

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District Accreditation

• Building and Recognizing Quality School Systems

Jefferson County Schools
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• All schools in Jefferson County have been awarded
  SACS Accreditation.
• The accreditation process enables the school to
  analyze programming and develop strategies aimed
  at student achievement improvement.
• This year the district is pursuing SACS
  Accreditation.

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Why Gain District Accreditation?

• Assures the district is working toward continuous
  improvement
• Works to increase student learning and
  organizational effectiveness
• Stimulates, supports and examines how all parts
  of the school system work as a team
• Encourages growth to achieve excellence

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Three PillarsThe Cornerstones of Accreditation

• Accredited Schools/Districts Must
• Meet high standards
• Engage in continuous improvement
• Demonstrate quality assurance

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7 Accreditation Standards

• Vision and Purpose
• Governance and Leadership
• Teaching and Learning
• Documenting and Using Results
• Resources and Support Systems
• Stakeholder Communications and
  Relationships
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement

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Improvement Process Elements
What future are you pursuing ?
What have you accomplished?
Vision
Profile
Results
What is your current reality?
Monitoring
What actions will you take to improve?
Plan andImplementation
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Quality Assurance

• Internal Review (mirror)
• The district implements methods to monitor
  progress and determine effectiveness of efforts
  through TCSPP
• External Review (window)
• The district participates in a Quality Assurance
  Review every five years through SACS
  Accreditation

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Quality Assurance
TCSPP Internal and Ongoing

• The district designs and implements a program of
  assessment practices and methods to
• monitor and document improvement
• provide meaningful feedback and support
• ensure standards are met and strengthened
• make certain there is alignment of efforts within
  the system
• The district collects and uses assessment data
  and results to determine actions

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Quality Assurance External Review The Hallmark
of Accreditation

• SACS Review Every Five Years
• District hosts a visit by a national team of
  professional peers. That team
• Evaluates adherence to the AdvancED quality
  standards.
• Assesses the efficacy and impact of the
  districts continuous improvement process.
• Assesses the effectiveness of the districts
  methods for quality assurance.
• Identifies strengths deserving of commendations
  and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Makes an accreditation recommendation for
  national review.

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5-Year Accreditation Term
Submit Standards Assessment Report

• Constantly
• Assess
• Learn
• Improve

Submit Progress Report Two Years After
the Visit
Host a Quality Assurance Review
Team
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Standards Assessment Report

• Executive Summary of System
• Standards Section (for each standard)
• Narrative describing evidence
• Guided by focus questions
• Assessment of indicators and over-all standard
• Rubrics
• Description of Quality Assurance Methods
• Identification of Peer-to-Peer Practice
• Conclusion General insights, Strengths and
  Challenges

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Steps to District Accreditation

• Applicant
• Submit Letters
• Complete Self-Assessment (TCSPP)
• Host a Readiness Visit
• Candidate
• Prepare For the Visit
• Host the Visit
• Accredited
• Act on Findings
• Report on Progress

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