1. SACS/CASI District Accreditation 2008

2.  January 2007  April 2007  May 2007  January – April 2008  Board Approval for Pursuit of District Accreditation  Completion of Readiness Report  Readiness Visit  Development of Standards Assessment Report (SAR) & Preparation for Quality Review Team (QAR)Visit

3.  April 27 – 30, 2008  April 30, 2008  May 2008  July 2008  Quality Assurance Team (QAR) Visit  Board Meeting for Exit Report with Recommendation for Accreditation  Receipt of Complete QAR Report  Notification of Approval of District Accreditation

4.  Summary of Findings Commendations Recommendations Next Steps  Standards Reports Strengths Opportunities for Improvement Finding/Overall Assessment  Quality Assurance Findings

5.  Collaboration with appropriate stakeholders in continuous school improvement  Direction, assistance, & resources to aid student performance  Assessment system which monitors & documents district, school, & student performance & use of this info in decision-making for continuous improvement  Hiring & retaining of experienced & highly qualified teachers & support staff  Effective stakeholder communication

6.  Implement research–based teaching & learning strategies that will promote the increase of student sub-group achievement scores & grade six through eight science & social studies scores  Establish a systematic process to better align professional development efforts & track the effect of teacher training on student academic gain

7.  Strengths Collaboration with internal & external stakeholders Beliefs, vision, & purpose drive decision-making through a continuous & systemic cycle  Opportunities for Improvement Research, develop, & implement procedures  To address the collection of curriculum & demographic info  To communicate the vision & purpose of the district  Finding – Highly Functional

8.  Strengths Interactive teams to respond to student & district concerns Systems approach to provide direction, assistance & resources to align, support, & enhance all parts of the district Efforts made by district & various funding sources to provide necessary resources & support to meet GCS needs  Opportunities for Improvement Increase collaboration, especially with community groups  Finding – Highly Functional

9.  Strengths Well-funded & well-utilized technology program integrated into instructional program Well-rounded curriculum Quality intervention programs  Opportunities for Improvement Target research-based teaching & learning strategies to promote increase of  Sub-group achievement scores &  Grades six – eight science & social studies scores  Finding – Operational

10.  Strengths Communication system that uses a variety of methods to report student performance & district effectiveness to all stakeholders Analysis of comparison & trend data  Opportunities for Improvement Implement assessment practices that provide evidence of higher level thinking skills & application of those skills  Finding – Highly Functional

11.  Strengths Long range, comprehensive budget planning which addresses needs of district Student support services coordinated with school, home, & community  Opportunities for Improvement Replace outdated hardware & software Revise & implement security & crisis management plans with appropriate follow-up training  Finding – Highly Functional

12.  Strengths Sense of open communication with school & district leaders Communication of student expectations & improvement goals to stakeholders using variety of media  Opportunities for Improvement Develop complaint management system to more effectively & respectfully respond to concerns  Finding – Highly Functional

13.  Strengths District direction & assistance to schools’ improvement efforts Demonstration of planning time as a priority by providing opportunities for collaboration Provision of common planning time for all grade level teachers to meet during school day  Opportunities for Improvement Include consistent, comprehensive cross-section of all stakeholder groups in improvement processes Align & prioritize research-based professional development with school improvement goals Evaluate implementation & effectiveness of professional development at classroom level  Finding – Operational

14.  Strengths District requires data analysis at every school & targets specific areas for focused intervention  Opportunities for Improvement Expand & evaluate effectiveness of professional development activities Facilitate stakeholders’ understanding of results of school improvement efforts

15.  Review & discuss findings with stakeholders  Embed & sustain strengths & commendations  Develop action plans to address recommendations & include monitoring methods  Use report to guide & strengthen improvement efforts  Submit Progress Report in two years  Continue to meet standards, submit reports, engage in continuous improvement & document results