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 Report

HANDBOOK – 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 Available

Take 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