The Plan without End!!!

What is Middle States? Middle States is the Association of Colleges and Schools that was established in It is one of six regional accrediting organizations that together serve schools in the United States and in many countries around the world. The Association is nonprofit, peer-administered. Middle Sates provides leadership in educational growth and improvement for its member schools.

Accreditation processes respond to the public’s demands for improved quality and greater accountability for schools serving society’s needs. Accreditation rests on the dual concepts of self- regulation and quality improvement.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF ACCREDITATION?

Accreditation encourages and facilitates educational growth and improvement….. Provides a framework and structure for planning for improving student performance Evaluates every aspect of schools and its programs Fosters stakeholder (administration, faculty, parent, and students) involvement in improving planning Builds positive public relations Provides a means for public accountability

Frequently Asked Questions about Middle States and accreditation…

What is Accreditation for Growth? AFG is a unique accreditation process that uses strategic planning as a vehicle for growth and improvement in student performance The school takes control and creates its future…

On what basis is a school accredited? Complying with Middle States Association’s Standards for Accreditation Developing and Maintaining a Process for Continuous Growth and Improvement in Student Performance Creating a Plan for Growth and Improvement

Four Components of AFG A. Context B. Standards C. Appraisal D. Content

A. Context I. The Students II. The Staff III. The School IV. The Community What is our school’s personality? What makes our school unique?

B. Standards Philosophy/Mission Governance and Leadership School Improvement planning Finances Facilities School climate and organization Health and Safety Educational Programs Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning Student Service Student Life and Student Activities Information Resources and Technology

All standards must be met for a school to be recommended for Accreditation. If a school fails to meet one or more Standards for Accreditation, it will be recommended for Probationary Accreditation until the area(s) or concern are corrected.

C. Appraisal of the Planning Process Planning Team -Composition -Operation -Feedback Role of: -Administration -Governing Body -Internal Coordinators Communication and Awareness Activities Action Plan and Implementation Teams Annual Review

D. Content Mission Beliefs Profiles of Graduates Student Performance Objectives with technical reviews Action Plans

D. Content-Profile of Graduates When the students have completed our educational program… -What do we expect them to know? -What do we expect them to be able to do with what they know? -What qualities or characteristics do we want them to demonstrate?

Profile of Graduates Use the data to determine what is currently known about graduates' skills, qualities, and/or characteristic Identity gaps between Profile of Graduates and current data Establish priorities for growth and improvement for the future Handout as an example

As a school community we must come up with Objectives

For Example: Academic Citizenship Technology Critical thinking Community service Career preparation/readiness Spiritual growth objectives

We need Measurable Objectives Measureable Student Preference objectives -stated as a desired end result -Measureable right now (baseline data) -Measurable over time

Format for Objectives By 2019, students at Holy Trinity will demonstrate improved _____ (skill, ability), as measured by: Handout as an example

After the Objectives we create an action plan

What is an action plan? The “doing” part of the plan for growth and improvement in student performance “Roadmap” for achieving to our objective