WASC For Charter Schools Dr. David Brown Executive Director Dr. Lee Duncan Associate Executive Director

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 2 Focus on Learning How are students achieving? Is the school doing everything possible to support high achievement for all of its students?

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 3 Procedures and Tips to help Charter schools prepare for a “full” self-study visit. What we will cover ……. What we will NOT cover ……. This presentation does NOT count as your WASC training.

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 4 What to do first ……. Attend WASC Trainings Establish contact your assigned chair  Set up the initial visit Use the WASC website to gather information and answer any question ( Get your teams together  Leadership Team  Home Groups  Focus Groups Begin writing

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 5 Where to Begin? Identify your Critical areas of Growth/Focus Identify your Strengths Begin writing your Self Study Start with the End in Mind

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 6 Chapter One Self Study

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 7 Chapter Two Self Study

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 8 Chapter Three Self Study

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 9 Chapter Four Self Study

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 10 Chapter Five Self Study

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 11 Essential Tools Previous Self-Study Report & VC Report WASC website  Templates  Rubrics  A+

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 12

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 13 Easy as 1, 2, 3…

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 14

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 15

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 16 Accreditation Plus Private secure website to communicate with all of your stakeholders and the WASC team Not a requirement, but a very helpful tool to you, your staff and the visiting team. Cost $1,500 set up fee, then $500 per year.

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 17 What you need to know about your visiting team They are your peers They are Volunteers They have experience with your type of school They are very CREDITABLE

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 18 What you need to know about preparation for the visit  Everyone (i.e. all stakeholders) need to be involved  Teachers  Students  Parents  District Office Administrators  Board Members  Business Community  Everyone!!!  Have plenty of evidence for the visiting committee  Be

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 19 What you need to know about the needs of the Visiting Committee  Healthy snacks  Ample supplies  Offer Clerical support 

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 20 What you need to know on the last day of the visit The team will NOT let you know what their recommendation for the term of accreditation is * Why? - It is truly a recommendation - It must be reviewed and approved by the WASC Commission Be prepared to review the report at lunch

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 21 What you need to know after the team has left Finalize your action plan Be prepared to make 10 copies and send them to the WASC office.

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 22 What you need to know when you receive your official term of accreditation. Celebrate Publicize Questions -Don’t hesitate to call the chair -There is a appeal process

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 23 Real Purpose of WASC Visit To verify that you are providing a excellent education to all of your students in accordance with State standards. To help you celebrate your schools strengths. To identify your growth areas to enrich student achievement.

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 24 Review Do’s Correspond with your chair quickly and frequently Use your chair as a resource Involve EVERYONE! Keep your Action Plan alive

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 25 Review Don'ts Procrastinate Hesitate to ask questions Skip the WASC trainings

© ACS WASC WASC/CDE 26 Questions? Thank you for your dedication in educating our children!