Building and Recognizing Quality School Systems

District Accreditation

JeffersonJeffersonCounty County SchoolsSchools

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• All schools in Jefferson County have been awarded SACS Accreditation.

• The accreditation process enables the school to analyze programming and develop strategies aimed at student achievement improvement.

• This year the district is pursuing SACS Accreditation.

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Why Gain District Accreditation?

• Assures the district is working toward continuous improvement

• Works to increase student learning and organizational effectiveness

• Stimulates, supports and examines how all parts of the school system work as a team

• Encourages growth to achieve excellence

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Three PillarsThe Cornerstones of

AccreditationAccredited Schools/Districts Must:

Meet high standards Engage in continuous

improvement Demonstrate quality

assurance

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7 Accreditation Standards

• Vision and Purpose• Governance and Leadership• Teaching and Learning• Documenting and Using Results• Resources and Support Systems• Stakeholder Communications and

Relationships• Commitment to Continuous

Improvement

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Improvement Process Elements

Plan andImplementation

What future are you

pursuing ?Vision

Profile

What is your current reality?What actions

will you take to improve?

What have you accomplished?

Results

Monitoring

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Quality Assurance

Internal Review (mirror)

The district implements methods to monitor progress and determine effectiveness of efforts through TCSPP

External Review (window)

The district participates in a Quality Assurance Review every five years through SACS Accreditation

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Quality Assurance

• The district designs and implements a program of assessment practices and methods to monitor and document improvement provide meaningful feedback and support ensure standards are met and strengthened make certain there is alignment of efforts within

the system

• The district collects and uses assessment data and results to determine actions

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TCSPP Internal and OngoingTCSPP Internal and Ongoing

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Quality Assurance External Review

The Hallmark of AccreditationSACS Review Every Five Years

District hosts a visit by a national team of professional peers. That team:

• Evaluates adherence to the AdvancED quality standards.

• Assesses the efficacy and impact of the district’s continuous improvement process.

• Assesses the effectiveness of the district’s methods for quality assurance.

• Identifies strengths deserving of commendations and provide recommendations for improvement.

• Makes an accreditation recommendation for national review.

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5-Year Accreditation Term

Constantly

AssessLearn

Improve Host a Quality Assurance Review Team

Submit Progress Report Two Years After the Visit

Submit Standards Assessment Report

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Standards Assessment Report

Executive Summary of System Standards Section (for each standard)

• Narrative describing evidence

−Guided by focus questions• Assessment of indicators and over-all standard

−Rubrics Description of Quality Assurance Methods Identification of Peer-to-Peer Practice Conclusion: General insights, Strengths and

Challenges

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Steps to District Accreditation

Applicant Submit Letters Complete Self-Assessment (TCSPP) Host a Readiness Visit Candidate Prepare For the Visit Host the Visit Accredited Act on Findings Report on Progress