WASC The Five W’s and more…

What’s WASC?

WASC Western Association of Schools and Colleges  One of six private, non-profit, regional accrediting associations in the United States  Provides assistance to schools located in California, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, and East Asia  Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education  Comprised of three commissions  Colleges and Universities  Junior Colleges  K-12 Schools  Works directly with the California Department of Education (CDE)  One of six private, non-profit, regional accrediting associations in the United States  Provides assistance to schools located in California, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, and East Asia  Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education  Comprised of three commissions  Colleges and Universities  Junior Colleges  K-12 Schools  Works directly with the California Department of Education (CDE)

What’s WASC Accreditation? SIX YEARS: Six years with a written midterm Progress Report SIX YEARS WITH A REVIEW: Six years with a complete midterm Progress Report and a one-day, on-site review by a two-member committee to be completed no later than the third year of the six year term THREE YEARS: Three years with a Progress Report and a two- day visit as a requisite to continued accreditation ONE OR TWO YEARS: One or two years with a complete Progress Report and revisit to serve as a warning that unless prompt attention is given to the critical areas or major recommendations, accreditation may be denied DENIAL OF ACCREDITATION: Denial of accreditation is based on conditions detailed in the Visiting Committee Report SIX YEARS: Six years with a written midterm Progress Report SIX YEARS WITH A REVIEW: Six years with a complete midterm Progress Report and a one-day, on-site review by a two-member committee to be completed no later than the third year of the six year term THREE YEARS: Three years with a Progress Report and a two- day visit as a requisite to continued accreditation ONE OR TWO YEARS: One or two years with a complete Progress Report and revisit to serve as a warning that unless prompt attention is given to the critical areas or major recommendations, accreditation may be denied DENIAL OF ACCREDITATION: Denial of accreditation is based on conditions detailed in the Visiting Committee Report

Leland’s Accreditation History: -As a first year school in 1967, Leland received a three year accreditation. -In 1971, Leland received its first six year accreditation, and another one in In 1983, Leland received a ten year accreditation. Ten year accreditation no longer exist. -In 1993, Leland received a three year accreditation. This was appealed, but denied. -In 1996, Leland received a six year accreditation. -In 2002, Leland received a six year clear accreditation. -As a first year school in 1967, Leland received a three year accreditation. -In 1971, Leland received its first six year accreditation, and another one in In 1983, Leland received a ten year accreditation. Ten year accreditation no longer exist. -In 1993, Leland received a three year accreditation. This was appealed, but denied. -In 1996, Leland received a six year accreditation. -In 2002, Leland received a six year clear accreditation.

What do we hope for in 2008?

Another six year clear accreditation…

Why do we have to “WASC”? And why should I care?

In order for Leland to be recognized as a credible school, we need accreditation from a governing authority…WASC!  We want our students to graduate from a school that WASC and the California Department of Education have deemed a reputable school.

When is WASC? Visit: March 2-5, 2008

Who is involved in the WASC process? EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS, THEIR LEARNING, AND THEIR EXPERIENCE AT LELAND (SHAREHOLDERS): STUDENTS, PARENTS, FACULTY, DISTRICT REPS., WASC REPS., AND CA DEPT. OF EDUCATION REPS.

WASC coordinator Leadership Team Focus Groups Home Groups

 Departments  Support Staff  Students  Parents  Departments  Support Staff  Students  Parents

Focus Groups Focus groups are formed on the basis of covering five areas that WASC would like us to examine in regards to our own school: A.Organization (Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources) B.Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum C.Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction D.Standards-based Student Learning: Assessment and Accountability E.School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth Focus groups are formed on the basis of covering five areas that WASC would like us to examine in regards to our own school: A.Organization (Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources) B.Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum C.Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction D.Standards-based Student Learning: Assessment and Accountability E.School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth

Focus Groups Good News!!!! We already have our focus groups…better yet, we’ve had them for years! New American High School Committees: -Student Support (Audrey Makris) -Technology and Staff Development (Gabe Roussere) -Curriculum and Assessment (Victoria Kim) -Facilities and Student Safety (Michelle O’Shea) -Extended Support (Jennifer Touchton) Good News!!!! We already have our focus groups…better yet, we’ve had them for years! New American High School Committees: -Student Support (Audrey Makris) -Technology and Staff Development (Gabe Roussere) -Curriculum and Assessment (Victoria Kim) -Facilities and Student Safety (Michelle O’Shea) -Extended Support (Jennifer Touchton)

Focus Groups In other words, instead of creating new groups, we’ve assigned a focus area to each NAHS committee: A.Organization (Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources) --> Extended Support (Jennifer Touchton) B.Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum --> Curriculum and Assessment (Vicki Kim) C.Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction --> Technology and Staff Development (Gabe Roussere) D. Standards-based Student Learning: Assessment and Accountability --> Facilities and Student Safety (Michelle O’Shea) E.School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth --> Student Support (Audrey Makris) In other words, instead of creating new groups, we’ve assigned a focus area to each NAHS committee: A.Organization (Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources) --> Extended Support (Jennifer Touchton) B.Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum --> Curriculum and Assessment (Vicki Kim) C.Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction --> Technology and Staff Development (Gabe Roussere) D. Standards-based Student Learning: Assessment and Accountability --> Facilities and Student Safety (Michelle O’Shea) E.School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth --> Student Support (Audrey Makris)

NAHS Committee Sci SS Eng Math Support Staff Support Staff Student(s) Parent(s) Elective D.O. School Board School Board Focus Group Members

Where will WASC reps look to find information about Leland?

Where?  Self-study report (five chapters): I) Student/Community Profile - Data and Findings II) Student/Community Profile - Overall Summary from Analysis of Profile Data III) Progress Report IV) Self-study Findings V) Action Plan  On campus during the visit (they will visit every classroom & teacher and will meet with home and focus groups)  Self-study report (five chapters): I) Student/Community Profile - Data and Findings II) Student/Community Profile - Overall Summary from Analysis of Profile Data III) Progress Report IV) Self-study Findings V) Action Plan  On campus during the visit (they will visit every classroom & teacher and will meet with home and focus groups)

How can we prepare for the WASC visit? To get to the “how” we need to know what our objectives are…

Expected Outcomes of Self-Study Collaboration of all shareholders to support student achievement Clarification and measurement of expected school- wide learning results (Lifelong Learning Standards) Gathering and analyzing of data about students and achievement Assessment of the school program Alignment of long-range action plan Collaboration of all shareholders to support student achievement Clarification and measurement of expected school- wide learning results (Lifelong Learning Standards) Gathering and analyzing of data about students and achievement Assessment of the school program Alignment of long-range action plan

How can we prepare for the WASC visit?  Get ready mentally for WASC (familiarize yourself with WASC process and terminology)  Read the self-study report  Prepare to answer questions about Leland:  What kind of school is Leland?  What are the strengths of Leland?  What areas need improvement?  Is Leland a learning community? Are parents actively involved with the school? Are students actively involved with the school (aside from class and homework)?  Get ready mentally for WASC (familiarize yourself with WASC process and terminology)  Read the self-study report  Prepare to answer questions about Leland:  What kind of school is Leland?  What are the strengths of Leland?  What areas need improvement?  Is Leland a learning community? Are parents actively involved with the school? Are students actively involved with the school (aside from class and homework)?

What have we (faculty and focus groups) already done to prepare for this visit? -collaborated about schoolwide and department changes since the last WASC visit in focus groups and home groups

What have we already done to prepare for this visit? - collaborated about schoolwide and department changes since the last WASC visit in focus groups and home groups -looked at the midterm progress report and made appropriate revisions

What have we already done to prepare for this visit? -collaborated about schoolwide and department changes since the last WASC visit in focus groups and home groups -looked at the midterm progress report and made appropriate revisions -interviewed three students about Lifelong Learning Standards and how they are perceived by the respective student

What have we already done to prepare for this visit? -collaborated about schoolwide and department changes since the last WASC visit in focus groups and home groups -looked at the midterm progress report and made appropriate revisions -interviewed three students about Lifelong Learning Standards and how they are perceived by the respective student -observed two colleagues with a focus on LLS’s.

The Visit

March 2008 WASC Visiting Committee (VC) Members: volunteers who are teachers, administrators, or students Four-day visit (Sunday-Wednesday)

The Visiting Committee They will read the self-study that Leland has written One member will choose a section to focus on, and will write a rough draft report on the focus group based on what they have read in the self-study The committee’s purpose is to VALIDATE the self-study report that we have submitted to them

Sunday VC meets for the first time VC meets Leland leadership team and gets acquainted with our campus VC meets with parent group (pre-selected members) VC, leadership team, and parent group mingles at a short reception that Leland provides (drinks and snacks) VC continues to work on their own in the evening to discuss issues, concerns, etc.

Monday VC meets Leland leadership team in the morning before school starts VC meets with focus groups (NAHS) for clarification and validation of self-study VC mingles with students during lunch to get a feel for school culture VC will meet with student group (pre-selected members) VC conducts classroom visits and teacher observations throughout the day (usually the goal is that every teacher will be visited by at least one VC member)

Tuesday VC meets Leland leadership team in the morning before school starts VC will continue with their focus group meetings and classroom observations VC mingles with students during lunch to get a feel for school culture VC will meet with classified staff VC may also meet with a group of students that they randomly select to have an “unscripted” discussion with about Leland (ad hoc student committee) VC will also meet with district office and school board members (to discuss school from an administrative perspective)

Wednesday VC meets Leland leadership team in the morning before school starts -- > this is when the VC typically gives the leadership team a rough draft of their report VC conducts final classroom visits and teacher observations (if they have missed anyone or would like to see further evidence of effective teaching practices) VC meets with leadership team to discuss draft of findings from their visit Leadership team works on drafting an action plan based on the VC findings VC finishes final edits and produces a final draft of their report VC meets with school to report strengths, weaknesses, and advice for all stakeholders in improving the school (ALL STAKEHOLDERS ARE INVITED TO THIS MEETING) VC leaves - no more discussion with VC --> they exit the building before anyone has a chance to talk to them

WASC Visitation Schedule at Leland Sunday, March 2nd 3:30-4:30 Leadership Team Meeting: WASC Visiting Committee (VC) meets with Leland leadership team (at Leland) to clarify issues in the self-study and explain the process for the visit. If time permits, the VC will tour the campus 4:30-5:30 Parent Meeting: WASC VC meets with the parent group to discuss report and perceptions about Leland (from a parent perspective) 5:30-6:00 Reception: VC, parents, and leadership team will casually mingle; Leland will provide drinks and snacks ***VC will have dinner on their own every night during this visit*** Sunday, March 2nd 3:30-4:30 Leadership Team Meeting: WASC Visiting Committee (VC) meets with Leland leadership team (at Leland) to clarify issues in the self-study and explain the process for the visit. If time permits, the VC will tour the campus 4:30-5:30 Parent Meeting: WASC VC meets with the parent group to discuss report and perceptions about Leland (from a parent perspective) 5:30-6:00 Reception: VC, parents, and leadership team will casually mingle; Leland will provide drinks and snacks ***VC will have dinner on their own every night during this visit***

WASC Visitation Schedule Monday, March 3rd 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8:00 - 9:45Focus Group Meeting: Vision, Organization & Leadership (Extended Support - Jennifer Touchton) 10:15 – 12:00Focus Group Meeting: Curriculum (Curriculum - Vicki Kim) 12:00 – 12:30VC mingles with students & staff during their lunch 12:40 – 1:35Student Committee Meeting: WASC VC meets with the student group to discuss report and perceptions about Leland (from a student perspective) 1:40 – 3:15Focus Group Meeting: Instruction (Technology - Gabe Roussere) 4:00 – 6:00Transformation Board Meeting ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day*** Monday, March 3rd 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8:00 - 9:45Focus Group Meeting: Vision, Organization & Leadership (Extended Support - Jennifer Touchton) 10:15 – 12:00Focus Group Meeting: Curriculum (Curriculum - Vicki Kim) 12:00 – 12:30VC mingles with students & staff during their lunch 12:40 – 1:35Student Committee Meeting: WASC VC meets with the student group to discuss report and perceptions about Leland (from a student perspective) 1:40 – 3:15Focus Group Meeting: Instruction (Technology - Gabe Roussere) 4:00 – 6:00Transformation Board Meeting ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day***

WASC Visitation Schedule Tuesday, March 4th 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8:00 - 9:45Focus Group Meeting: Assessment and Accountability (Facilities and Student Safety - Michelle O’Shea) 10: :00Ad Hoc Student Committee Meeting 10:15 – 12:00Focus Group Meeting: School Culture and Support (Student Support - Audrey Makris) 12:00 – 12:30VC mingles with students & staff during their lunch 12:35 – 1:35VC meets with Administration and Classified Staff 2:25 – 4:00VC meets with Superintendent and District Office Staff ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day*** Tuesday, March 4th 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8:00 - 9:45Focus Group Meeting: Assessment and Accountability (Facilities and Student Safety - Michelle O’Shea) 10: :00Ad Hoc Student Committee Meeting 10:15 – 12:00Focus Group Meeting: School Culture and Support (Student Support - Audrey Makris) 12:00 – 12:30VC mingles with students & staff during their lunch 12:35 – 1:35VC meets with Administration and Classified Staff 2:25 – 4:00VC meets with Superintendent and District Office Staff ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day***

WASC Visitation Schedule Wednesday, March 5th 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8: :20VC works on completing draft report of visitation 12:00 - 1:00Leadership Team Meeting and Working Lunch: Discuss draft of findings 1:05 – 2:30VC finishes report of visitation while Leadership Team works on draft of action plan based on VC’s findings 2: 45 – 3:15VC meets with entire staff/community members/students to report findings from their visitation ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day*** Wednesday, March 5th 7:15-7:50 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting: Discuss perceptions & clarify findings. 8: :20VC works on completing draft report of visitation 12:00 - 1:00Leadership Team Meeting and Working Lunch: Discuss draft of findings 1:05 – 2:30VC finishes report of visitation while Leadership Team works on draft of action plan based on VC’s findings 2: 45 – 3:15VC meets with entire staff/community members/students to report findings from their visitation ***VC members will make classroom observations throughout the day***