ABC International SchoolABC International SchoolInitial Accreditation Visit – NEASC and CISInitial Accreditation Visit – NEASC and CIS

Visiting Team Orientation MeetingVisiting Team Orientation Meeting

15 April 2010 15 April 2010

Topics for This MeetingTopics for This Meeting

Thank you to the team Thank you to the team Joint visit NEASC and CIS – but not joint accreditationJoint visit NEASC and CIS – but not joint accreditation Team Roles: Chair and Co-Chair AssignmentsTeam Roles: Chair and Co-Chair Assignments Meeting Today with School PersonnelMeeting Today with School Personnel

• Chair - Introductory remarksChair - Introductory remarks• Co-Chair – Introductory remarksCo-Chair – Introductory remarks• Team Introductions: Team Introductions:

Name, School, Position, Your sections of reportName, School, Position, Your sections of report

Classroom VisitsClassroom Visits Writing the ReportWriting the Report Your comments / impressions / questionsYour comments / impressions / questions

Meetings w/ School OfficialsMeetings w/ School Officials

Meetings as Scheduled - Sunday and MondayMeetings as Scheduled - Sunday and Monday Conduct meetings in a listening modeConduct meetings in a listening mode

• Open-ended questions – It is not an inquisitionOpen-ended questions – It is not an inquisition• We are peers and colleagues – Not “inspectors”We are peers and colleagues – Not “inspectors”

But … Ask the hard questionsBut … Ask the hard questions

Watch for …Watch for …• Special interest groups Special interest groups • Pressures from individuals w/ their own agendasPressures from individuals w/ their own agendas

Additional Meetings (Communication Purposes - No Report)Additional Meetings (Communication Purposes - No Report)• PTA (40 minutes) – Chair and Co-Chair – PTA (40 minutes) – Chair and Co-Chair – Wednesday 14.35Wednesday 14.35• Primary Sch. Student Council (20 minutes) – Dan - Primary Sch. Student Council (20 minutes) – Dan - Wednesday 15.00Wednesday 15.00

• Secondary Sch. Student Council (20 min.) – John - Secondary Sch. Student Council (20 min.) – John - Tuesday 12.40Tuesday 12.40

Each Day Each Day

08.10 Chair and Co-Chair– Meet with administration08.10 Chair and Co-Chair– Meet with administration• Special events – Special events – assemblies, events, special presentations …assemblies, events, special presentations …• Clarification on issues that may surfaceClarification on issues that may surface• Progress of the visitProgress of the visit

08.30 Brief Visiting Team Meeting - ‘Check in’ each day08.30 Brief Visiting Team Meeting - ‘Check in’ each day Attend classes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Attend classes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Observe the flow around the schoolObserve the flow around the school

• Changing classes, attending assemblies, lunch, etc.Changing classes, attending assemblies, lunch, etc. Fire (evacuation) drill – Fire (evacuation) drill – weather dependingweather depending

• Wednesday (10.30 – 1Wednesday (10.30 – 1stst choice) or Tuesday (11.05 – 2 choice) or Tuesday (11.05 – 2ndnd choice) choice) Writing time as you require Writing time as you require Dinner at hotel each nightDinner at hotel each night After dinner – Writing time and informal discussion After dinner – Writing time and informal discussion (No meetings)(No meetings)

Classroom VisitsClassroom Visits == Often HighOften High Anxiety LevelsAnxiety Levels

We will visit all classes We will visit all classes at least onceat least once • Go to class unannouncedGo to class unannounced• Minimal disturbance - Stay for at least ½ the lesson Minimal disturbance - Stay for at least ½ the lesson • Do not take notes in class – We are Do not take notes in class – We are nonot inspectorst inspectors

Observe teacher/student interactionObserve teacher/student interaction• Teaching methodsTeaching methods• Learning environmentLearning environment• Lab equipment …Lab equipment …

See others See others at least onceat least once – – • Office PersonnelOffice Personnel, , Business Office, Custodians, Health Office … Business Office, Custodians, Health Office … • Check Sheet – A designee to bring to school and hotelCheck Sheet – A designee to bring to school and hotel

Questions on the schedule?Questions on the schedule?

ReminderReminder

““Throughout the report, the team should take every Throughout the report, the team should take every opportunity to relate what it observes to the quality of opportunity to relate what it observes to the quality of

the learning which is going on or to student well-being. the learning which is going on or to student well-being.

Student learning outcomes and student well-being are at Student learning outcomes and student well-being are at the center of all that the school intends, and the team will the center of all that the school intends, and the team will wish to use all the means at its disposal to ascertain how wish to use all the means at its disposal to ascertain how effectively the school achieves improvement for each effectively the school achieves improvement for each student.” student.”

The Team VisitThe Team Visit, NEASC and CIS, 2006, NEASC and CIS, 2006

The ReportThe Report

It is the It is the Team ReportTeam Report – Not disjointed individual reports – Not disjointed individual reports Report: Evidence-based -- Honest and Factual Report: Evidence-based -- Honest and Factual Proof read together (LCD) – A, B (PS, MS, HS), C-GProof read together (LCD) – A, B (PS, MS, HS), C-G

• Be sure no factual errors or misconceptions Be sure no factual errors or misconceptions • Cross check facts, impressions, etc. ahead of presentationCross check facts, impressions, etc. ahead of presentation• Consistency one section to anotherConsistency one section to another• Get close to final form for presentation – Secretary will tweakGet close to final form for presentation – Secretary will tweak• Chair will proofread / edit for accuracy and consistency prior to Chair will proofread / edit for accuracy and consistency prior to

submitting submitting

Vertical curriculum reports Vertical curriculum reports • Print for Chair/Co-Chair Print for Chair/Co-Chair • Not on LCDNot on LCD

The Report …ContinuedThe Report …Continued

Everything stems from:Everything stems from:• The Standards for Accreditation (NEASC / CIS)The Standards for Accreditation (NEASC / CIS)• School’s Philosophy & ObjectivesSchool’s Philosophy & Objectives

Look for evidenceLook for evidence• Verify and ValidateVerify and Validate• Verify and Validate Verify and Validate • Verify and Validate (if I haven’t mention it)Verify and Validate (if I haven’t mention it)• ……Ask to seeAsk to see

various reports, program philosophy, documentationvarious reports, program philosophy, documentation

The Report – Keeping on TimeThe Report – Keeping on Time

Stay on task for days and times when reports are dueStay on task for days and times when reports are due

Chair of each standard:Chair of each standard:• Print and share with Standard Co-chair for feedback prior to Print and share with Standard Co-chair for feedback prior to

presentingpresenting

Role of Team Secretary - KeyRole of Team Secretary - Key• Getting the report into Template – and into final shapeGetting the report into Template – and into final shape• Editing as we go alongEditing as we go along• Help with editing and proof readingHelp with editing and proof reading• Printing / ShreddingPrinting / Shredding

Writing the ReportWriting the Report

Present a balanced view of the school Present a balanced view of the school • Things they do well and things in need of improvementThings they do well and things in need of improvement

Report must not be overly prescriptive Report must not be overly prescriptive • Except for health and safety issuesExcept for health and safety issues

No judgments about individualsNo judgments about individuals Sensitive issues: Sensitive issues: (Ethical, legal, etc.) – Report to Chair/ Co-Chair(Ethical, legal, etc.) – Report to Chair/ Co-Chair

Avoid references to your school or ways of doing thingsAvoid references to your school or ways of doing things

Writing the Report – Template and Who’s WhoWriting the Report – Template and Who’s Who

Table of ContentsTable of Contents Preamble Preamble … and … … and … Team Comments on Part One of the S.S. Team Comments on Part One of the S.S. … and … … and … Standards Reports (Assignment Review)Standards Reports (Assignment Review)

• A. Philosophy and Objectives … and …A. Philosophy and Objectives … and …• B. Primary School … and …B. Primary School … and …• B. Middle School … and … B. Middle School … and … • B. High School … and …B. High School … and …• C. Governance and Management … and …C. Governance and Management … and …• D. Staff … and …D. Staff … and …• E. Student Support Services … and … E. Student Support Services … and … • F. Resources … and … F. Resources … and … • G. Student and Community Life … and …G. Student and Community Life … and …

Review … Who’s Who ContinuedReview … Who’s Who Continued

B. Curriculum (Vertical) Reports (Gr. 1-12)B. Curriculum (Vertical) Reports (Gr. 1-12)• English … and …English … and …• Mathematics … and …Mathematics … and …

• Sciences … and …Sciences … and …• Humanities … and …Humanities … and …

• ICT … and …ICT … and …• Physical Education … and …Physical Education … and …

• Art and Design … and …Art and Design … and …• Modern Foreign Languages … and …Modern Foreign Languages … and …

• Native Language … and …Native Language … and …• Music and Drama … and …Music and Drama … and …

State in section “… consistent with school’s P&O”State in section “… consistent with school’s P&O”

For Each Standard For Each Standard Observations – Observations – NarrativeNarrative Based on Standards and P&OBased on Standards and P&O

• Include your own commentary – positives and negativesInclude your own commentary – positives and negatives• Descriptive information from self study – the StandardsDescriptive information from self study – the Standards• Lots of eyes – sharing informationLots of eyes – sharing information

CommendationsCommendations• Principal strengths / Areas where school excelsPrincipal strengths / Areas where school excels• State the party: i.e., the faculty … the Administration …State the party: i.e., the faculty … the Administration …

RecommendationsRecommendations• Areas in need of strengthening / fall short of the StandardsAreas in need of strengthening / fall short of the Standards• State who the party is: i.e., the Board …State who the party is: i.e., the Board …

No No CommendationsCommendations//RecommendationsRecommendations without referencing them in without referencing them in ObservationsObservations

Not an unbalanced number (i.e., not 10 Not an unbalanced number (i.e., not 10 CommComm. and 1 . and 1 Recc. Recc. or 1or 1 Comm. Comm. and 10 and 10 ReccRecc.).)

Sometimes – Write Commendations and Recommendations first then write ObservationsSometimes – Write Commendations and Recommendations first then write Observations

The Report ContinuedThe Report Continued

Major Commendations - TeamMajor Commendations - Team Major Recommendations - TeamMajor Recommendations - Team Pt Three of Self Study Pt Three of Self Study -- V.T. Comments V.T. Comments Concluding Statement - ChairConcluding Statement - Chair School’s Philosophy & Objectives - ChairSchool’s Philosophy & Objectives - Chair List of Team MembersList of Team Members

Ratings of StandardsRatings of StandardsStandard Chairs and Co-ChairsStandard Chairs and Co-Chairs

Ratings: Ratings: E (Exceeds), M (Meets), D (Does not Meet) the StandardsE (Exceeds), M (Meets), D (Does not Meet) the Standards

• Standard Chair/Co-Chair write for each standard – Standard Chair/Co-Chair write for each standard – Arrive at Team consensus (LCD)Arrive at Team consensus (LCD)

Comments: Explanations of ratings Comments: Explanations of ratings (Explain in one sentence)(Explain in one sentence)

• Ratings of E or DRatings of E or D Example: 4.E. The Team felt that professional development Example: 4.E. The Team felt that professional development

opportunities to improve the curriculum exceeded the standard. opportunities to improve the curriculum exceeded the standard.

• If disagree w/ school’s ratings If disagree w/ school’s ratings Example: 7. E to M – The Team did not agree that the curriculum is Example: 7. E to M – The Team did not agree that the curriculum is

comprehensively documentedcomprehensively documented..

Thursday Team Meeting:Thursday Team Meeting:

Major Commendations /Major Commendations / RecommendationsRecommendations

Standards A-G: Chair and Co-chair – Team consensusStandards A-G: Chair and Co-chair – Team consensus Quoted verbatimQuoted verbatim (both reference # and text)(both reference # and text) Typically: Typically:

• 10 +/- Commendations and 10 +/- Recommendations10 +/- Commendations and 10 +/- Recommendations Include any major discrepancies with the Self StudyInclude any major discrepancies with the Self Study

• Nothing new is introduced at this pointNothing new is introduced at this point

At the End of the ReportAt the End of the Report

Team Comments with Respect to Part Three of Team Comments with Respect to Part Three of the Self Study: the Self Study: • Significant Strengths (5-6) – Chair/Co-ChairSignificant Strengths (5-6) – Chair/Co-Chair• Factors in Need of Strengthening (5-6) – Chair/Co-ChairFactors in Need of Strengthening (5-6) – Chair/Co-Chair

Concluding StatementConcluding Statement: Chair: Chair• Our broad findings, impressions, recommendations Our broad findings, impressions, recommendations

The ReportThe Report

Give to Secretary to print / shred Give to Secretary to print / shred All of us read the report togetherAll of us read the report together

• LCD projector to focus our attentionLCD projector to focus our attention• Wordsmithing, grammar, and punctuation: Grammar PoliceWordsmithing, grammar, and punctuation: Grammar Police• Thursday afternoon – fine tuning and read parts of 2Thursday afternoon – fine tuning and read parts of 2ndnd drafts drafts

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WRITING YOUR REPORT – let IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WRITING YOUR REPORT – let Chair/Co-Chair know ASAPChair/Co-Chair know ASAP

Sections to Chair/Co-Chair to proofreadSections to Chair/Co-Chair to proofread

Our Recommendation on Accreditation Status Our Recommendation on Accreditation Status to NEASC & CIS: Team Consensusto NEASC & CIS: Team Consensus

• Accreditation Accreditation • Accreditation with specific qualificationsAccreditation with specific qualifications

In cases where the school generally meets the Standards, but the Team In cases where the school generally meets the Standards, but the Team feels that certain specified recommendations must be met immediately feels that certain specified recommendations must be met immediately within a specified amount of time. A follow-up visit (one or two people) may within a specified amount of time. A follow-up visit (one or two people) may be recommended.be recommended.

• Postponement – for specific reason(s)Postponement – for specific reason(s) In cases where the school meets many of the Standards but falls seriously In cases where the school meets many of the Standards but falls seriously

short in certain specific areas which the Team feels could be satisfactorily short in certain specific areas which the Team feels could be satisfactorily addressed within a specified amount of time. A follow-up visit will take place.addressed within a specified amount of time. A follow-up visit will take place.

• Denial of Accreditation Denial of Accreditation The school falls significantly short of meeting a substantial number of The school falls significantly short of meeting a substantial number of

Standards and has shortcomings of a serious nature.Standards and has shortcomings of a serious nature.

Recommendations must beRecommendations must be:: Do-able / measurable / specific / use precise languageDo-able / measurable / specific / use precise language

RememberRemember

ConfidentialityConfidentiality::• Our recommendation is Our recommendation is notnot to be shared with anyone to be shared with anyone

Report – Complete when we leave Report – Complete when we leave

Q ???Q ???

Daily Schedule or when reports due?Daily Schedule or when reports due? Today’s activities?Today’s activities? Initial impressions of the school?Initial impressions of the school? Discern griping in SS and what does not meet the standardsDiscern griping in SS and what does not meet the standards Key issues that we have identified in the S.S.?Key issues that we have identified in the S.S.? Areas of concern?Areas of concern?