2009 Shelby County Schools District Accreditation Thompson High School

Accreditation The act of granting credit to an educational institution for maintaining certain standards Five year process

Accreditation TimingSchool's ResponsibilitiesEvery year Adhere to the AdvancED standards. Engage in ongoing self-assessment and continuous improvement. Document results of improvement efforts. Update school demographic and contact information. Notify AdvancED of any substantive changes in the school's ability to meet the standards. Between Six Weeks and Six Months before Quality Assurance Review Prepare and submit the electronic Standards Assessment Report. The report helps the school prepare for the review and provides the review team with the basis for its evaluation. Year of Quality Assurance Review Prepare for the Quality Assurance Review team, working with the team chair to establish the review schedule and make arrangements for the team. Gather evidence and documentation in preparation for the team's review of the school's adherence to the standards. Host the Quality Assurance Review team. Share the findings from the Quality Assurance Review team report with the school community. Begin acting on the team's recommendations. Year following the Quality Assurance Review Visit Act on the team's recommendations and document progress. Two Years following the Quality Assurance Review Visit Act on the team's recommendations and document progress. Submit a two year progress report on the school's response to the team's recommendations

Accreditation Standards Vision and Purpose Governance and Leadership Teaching and Learning Documenting and Using Results Resources and Support Systems Stakeholder Communication and Relations Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Vision and Purpose Created by a team Posted in every classroom and above main entrance Included in student/parent handbook and on the THS website

Thompson High Vision and Mission To become a model of excellence in education, reflective of our school and community Provide a safe learning environment that facilitates the instruction of students to empower them to reach their fullest potential academically, technologically, and individually

Governance and Leadership County and school handbook Safety Plan Leadership team Administrative meetings Teacher handbook Educate Alabama

Teaching and Learning Pacing guides AL Course of Study Common Assessments Professional Development Computer Labs/Media Center Professional Learning Communities Technology

Documenting and Using Results School Improvement Plan Graduation Exam Remediation Professional Learning Communities Professional Development Common Assessments

Resources and Support Systems Shelby County Education Foundation Community grants Business partnerships Donations City of Alabaster Accounting/budgeting system Safety and discipline plans/handbooks

Stakeholder Communication and Relations Blogs Website Handbooks Brochure Community breakfasts and lunches PTO Booster Clubs

Commitment to Continuous Improvement School Improvement Plan/Team/Meetings Professional Learning Communities Evidence Boxes Walkthroughs

Interview Components mintues How the school implements the vision and improvement How the school adheres to standards How the district supports the school in meeting the standards All questions will be tied to standards

Interview: School Staff Discuss the process used to bring about consensus in developing the self-evaluation and action plan for school improvement. How do teachers, the administration, parents, and the community work together to have a shared vision for all students? Are you satisfied with the level of involvement of the staff and stakeholders in the decision-making process? Explain. How would you describe the community served by this school, including its demo-graphics, recent history, trends that are developing, community expectations for and perceptions about this school?

Interview: School Staff Continued How do the school ’ s practices facilitate equal access and successful performance for special needs ’ students? Are you satisfied that the database gathered and analyzed by the staff is adequate for making informed decisions related to planning for school improvement? Are the Mission and Beliefs statements of the school communicated to its stake-holders? How? Discuss the Desired Results for Student Learning and share your perceptions of what changes will be needed in the instructional and/or organizational operations of the school to effectively achieve these results. How were target areas identified for the action plan for school improvement?

Interview: Students What do you like best about your school? If you could change something about your school, what would you change? How would you describe your school to someone who was just moving to it? If there was something you wanted to change about this school, how would you go about trying to get it changed? Do you think teachers in this school enjoy teaching? What makes you think so? Have you worked on a committee with teachers and/or parents?

Interview: Parents and Community What do you think are the greatest strengths of this school? Are there needs that should be addressed to make this an even better school? Is there a procedure in place for you to communicate your ideas to the school? How? What are some ways the school communicates with you? Are you informed about the school ’ s stated beliefs and mission? If so, what do you perceive them to be? Are you familiar with or have you been involved in the self-evaluation and school improvement planning process just completed by the school? Would you like to be more involved in planning for continuing improvement in this school? How? If you had a complaint, how would you handle it? Are leaders easily accessible? Are schools safe?

Calendar

Cheat Sheet 09-10

Teams