MNSAA Accreditation
January 2014New School Training
The Whole Learning SchoolSarah W. Mueller
Executive Director
Candidate Application The Whole Learning School Provided Statement “Why Seeking Accreditation?” Statement of governing authority’s support Projected timeframe (Spring 2015)
Programs seeking accreditation (Grades 3-12)
Signed by school & governing authority Payment of application fee
Candidate Application Essential Standards Readiness Mission & Philosophy statements Curriculum Standards Assessment of Student Learning Health & Safety Requirements Personnel Governance Financial Sustainability
Achieving NEW Accreditation A Model for The Whole Learning School Year 1 – Develop Self Study
Profile & Narrations Year 2 - SSP and Visit
Define visionary plan for future Host onsite visit
Year 3-7 – Implement Plan File Annual Progress Reports Maintain Strategic Plan as living
document
Accreditation Status Conditions on Accreditation May Apply Public Statement Provisional Conditions
One or more essential compliance components Additional accountability required Timelines and support provided
Provisional Conditions Deficiency detracts from total Failed to meet requirements Violated policy
Steps to Accreditation Outline to Walk Through Process Set up for Renewing schools TWLS already completed Steps 1-2 Next Up
Develop Self-Study Communicate Plan
Standards & IndicatorsHANDBOOK – Section B 1: Mission & Philosophy 2: Teaching & Learning 3: Climate for Learning 4: Communications & Relations 5: Personnel 6: Leadership & Governance 7: School Strategic Plan
MNSAA’s Quality Standards
Take a LOOK at the Standards MNSAA has 7 quality standards Each standard is comprised of several criteria Each criteria requires a Reflective Narration Narration supported by
Performance Indicators
Essential Performance Indicators Italicized Means Required!
• Written Mission & Philosophy statements;• Written Curriculum Standards;• Subject Area Philosophies • Written Process of Curriculum Evaluation;• Philosophy of Assessment• Policy Handbooks;• Faculty & Student Handbooks;• Annual State-of-the School Report; • Etc.
Legal Requirement noted LR
School Self-Study ReportHANDBOOK – Section C The School Profile Reflective Standard Narrations The School Strategic Plan
Getting Organized Understand the Self-Study Requirements
(Profile, Standards Narrations, School Strategic Plan) Establish a Steering Team (See Handbook C-1)
Develop Sub-Committees (See Handbook C-1)
Community-wide Ownership
The School Self-Study Report
Part 1: The School Profile
Part 1: The School ProfileTells your school’s story (Who you are; Who you serve; What’s been happening?) Opens self-study report Summary statement (3-5 pages)
History highlights Demographic Study
Overview of students, families, and community served Stakeholder perceptions**
Survey provides documented evidence Student enrollment trends
Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey Consider inexpensive electronic survey Connect stakeholders to MNSAA standards Invite honesty, but do not open door to
inappropriate responses Summarize data gathered in The Profile
Part 1: The School Profile
School Profile Template Available under School Resources on website Template not required, but components are Consider it an outline for posting your findings Take a look! Download from MNSAA website:
www.mnsaa.org
Part 1: The School Profile
Part 2: Standard Narrations
Part 2: Standards Narrations
Demonstrates readiness for accreditation The heart of your school’s self-study Defines what is currently happening at your
school Honesty matters! May find not all criteria are in
place at your school Equally important to find areas
not in compliance
Quality of the Reflective Narrations Do NOT merely restate the standard Sets the stage for the onsite team Professional document crafted by well-trained
and highly skilled educators Published! Quality evaluated by team
Part 2: Standards Narrations
Identifying Strengths & Challenges Use findings to build summary for each
standard Process =
Subcommittee writes draft Whole group reviews and adds ideas Identify key strengths & challenges
CHALLENGES – Become the focus of the school improvement plan
Part 2: Standards Narrations
Self-Study Narrations Template MNSAA requires use of template Personalize the template for your school Available under School Resources on website
Part 2: Standards Narrations
Part 2: Standards Narrations Don’t Forget Standard 7! Not completed until after strategic plan written Can be forgotten Set a reminder to return to this before
publishing Essential component of the Self-Study
Indicators of Compliance Onsite team looks for supporting evidence for
each narration. Ask the questions:
“How do we comply?” “How can we provide evidence?”
MNSAA requirements & ideas Team observations & interviews
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
Summarizes challenges identified A roadmap for school improvement Provide strategic direction + a plan of action Needs to be a collaborative process Key component of Annual Progress Report Maintained as a “Living Document”
MNSAA SSP Quality Expectations Valid – Reflective of current needs of school Connected – To self-study report Supported – By wide body of stakeholders Visionary – Not a checklist Reasonable – Timeline manageable Focused – On your students!
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
Specific Framework Required!
Objectives – Where the school wants to be
Strategies – How the school plans to get there
Action Steps – What specifically the school is
going to do
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
SAMPLE Objective: The school will provide a safe learning facility.
Strategy 1: A crisis management plan will be developed. Action Steps:
1. A taskforce will be established.2. The task force will review state guidelines and resources.3. The task force will interface with local authorities.4. Draft a crisis management plan for consideration.5. Seek approval from board.6. Implement crisis management plan.7. Evaluate and adjust as needed.
Strategy 2: Explore extended day program. Action Steps:
1. Survey families for need.2. Determine space for program.3. Research state laws.4. Etc. – Continue to add action steps to reach goal.
MNSAA Template Required! Complete on electronic template Download from MNSAA website Word table - Able to revise Ability to report progress to MNSAA Take a look!
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
Samples AvailableTake a look at the Sample on the MNSAA Template!
Be sure to checkout our website for more resources: www.mnsaa.org
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS! Communicate Self-Study Findings Solicit Input Build Buy-In Finalize with full school community
Part 3: School Strategic Plan
The Onsite Visit
HANDBOOK – Section D Guidelines & Responsibilities The Onsite Visiting Team The Team Report Template
The Onsite Visit
Purpose of the Onsite Team Visit To Validate To Evaluate Quality Expectations of MNSAA Provide Objective Outside Feedback Bottom Line
Thinking Ahead of the Visit Budget considerations Facility considerations Technology considerations Interview considerations Team meet and greet Organize your indicators Clear your calendar Advise stakeholders
The Onsite Visit
The Team ReportThe Team will determine:
Sufficient Indication of Compliance Compliance with Concerns Insufficient Indication of Compliance
Recommendations for Improvement Commendations for Excellence Take a look!
The Onsite Visit
The School Responds Visit closure Communicate findings with stakeholders Written response to recommendations Template provided Submit revised SSP
The Onsite Visit
The Appendix
HANDBOOK – Section E Sample Timeline for Process Curriculum Standards Requirement SSP Sample Fee Structure
MNSAA Accreditation
January 2014New School Training
The Whole Learning SchoolSarah W. Mueller
Executive Director