Building and Recognizing Quality School Systems DISTRICT ACCREDITATION © 2010 AdvancED

Oconee County Schools District Accreditation Initial district accreditation Progress report to SACS – 2009 Accreditation Visit

Initial Accreditation Highlights Strengths: Support of stakeholders for the mission and vision 100% highly qualified teachers in schools Private donations to support school programs High expectations of results exist by the community for the school district

Accomplishments : All schools and the district met AYP 4 consecutive years 100% passing GHSGT (ELA) CRCT mean score #1 in state in 1 st, 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade reading 30 national board certified teachers 3 rd highest SAT in the state in recipient of Magna Award Initial Accreditation Highlights

Commendations The mission and vision statements are easily understood by all stakeholders All parent groups interviewed echoed the same sentiment that the Oconee County School System faculty were genuinely caring and accommodating to the needs of students Leadership of the superintendent, central office staff, and school administrators is outstanding Initial Accreditation Highlights

Commendations Use of available funding in an effective and efficient manner is evident Professional development aligns with curriculum, SIP, and CLIP The district ensures instructional integrity by using research-based strategies Assessment data drive the improvement efforts of the district High expectations exist for faculty, staff, and students Initial Accreditation Highlights

Challenges: Increased student enrollment over the next five years Sustaining the momentum of SACS CASI school improvement initiatives Existence of current low tax base Development and implementation of a consolidated survey to collect community expectations Demands on maintenance and grounds staff are increasing as enrollment continues to increase Initial Accreditation Highlights

Recommendations Recommendation #1: Provide teachers and students with current technological tools to support the teaching and learning process Recommendation #2: Review annually the district three-year technology plan to modify the plan based on analysis of needs Recommendation #3: Secure a consistent funding source during the budgetary process to support technology integration

What are the next steps? Oconee County Schools Reaccreditation Visit February 24, 2013 – February 27, 2013

What is District Accreditation? A national protocol for school districts committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable improvement Builds capacity to increase student learning and organizational effectiveness Stimulates, supports and ensures that all elements of the district work in harmony in pursuit of a shared vision

What are the cornerstones of district accreditation? Standards –Quality School Systems Continuous Improvement –Systems Approach Quality Assurance –Internal Assessment –External Review

What are the expectations of the district? Meets the AdvancED Standards for Quality Systems Identifies and guides the implementation of a systemic continuous improvement process Monitors its schools and departments through a quality assurance process Prepares and hosts a QAR every five years Responds to findings from the QAR team

Establishes and implements practices to support schools and departments –Direction: sets expectations and provides guidelines –Assistance: builds understanding and develops skills –Resources: provides people, materials, time and funds What are the expectations of the district?

AdvancED Accreditation Standards The district provides evidence of meeting the Standards for Quality Systems Purpose & Direction: Dr. Jason Branch Shannon Hammond Governance &Leadership: Dr. Brook Whitmire Susan Elsner Dr. Pam Goodman Teaching & Assessing for Learning: Dr. Claire Miller Lisa Daniel Scott Gordon

Resources & Support Systems: Mark Channell Randy Morrison Dr. Mike Hale Using Results for Continuous Improvement:Richard Coleman Suzanne Korngold AdvancED Accreditation Standards

Quality Assurance Internal Monitoring Mirror View Window View Outside Experts Peer ReviewSelf Review Internal Review External Review Institutional Integrity Once every five years the district will host an external review.

What is the Quality Assurance External Review? The QAR team –Is comprised of members with diverse experience and rich contextual perspective –Assesses and evaluates district effectiveness in meeting the requirements of accreditation The QAR process provides the district and community with –Important validation and recognition –Valuable insight and direction for improvement

What is the role of the QAR team during the Quality Assurance External Review? Meet with district staff and stakeholders Visit a representative sample of schools Conduct interviews, reviews artifacts and records observations Provide feedback through standard narratives, commendations and required actions Present findings in oral and written formats Make an accreditation recommendation