Accreditation Standards for Quality Institutions

STANDARD 1: VISION AND PURPOSE

The institution establishes and communicates a shared purpose and direction for improving the performance of students and the effectiveness of the Institution.

Quality Institution Indicators

In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

1.1 Establishes a vision for the Institution

1.2 Communicates the vision and purpose

1.3 Identifies goals to advance the vision

1.4 Develops and continuously maintains a profile of the Institution, its students, and the community

1.5 Ensures that the Institution’s vision and purpose guide the teaching and learning process

1.6 Reviews its vision and purpose systematically and revises them when appropriate Impact Statement

An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it commits to a shared purpose and direction. The Institution establishes expectations for student learning aligned with the Institution’s vision that is supported by Institution personnel and external stakeholders. These expectations serve as the focus for assessing student performance and Institution effectiveness. The Institution’s vision guides allocations of time and human, material, and fiscal resources.

STANDARD 2: GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP

The Institution provides governance and leadership that promote student performance and Institution effectiveness.

GOVERNANCE
Quality Institution Indicators

In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution operates under the jurisdiction of a governing board that:

2.1 Establishes policies and procedures that provide for the effective operation of the Institution

2.2 Recognizes and preserves the executive, administrative, and leadership prerogatives of the Administrative head of the Institution

2.3 Ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, standards, and regulations

LEADERSHIP
Quality Institution Indicators
In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution has leadership that:

2.4 Employs a system that provides for analysis and review of student performance and Institution effectiveness.

2.5 Fosters a learning community

2.6 Provides teachers and students opportunities to lead

2.7 Provides meaningful roles in the decision-making process that promote a culture of participation, responsibility, and ownership

2.8 Controls curricular and extracurricular activities that are sponsored by the Institution

2.9 Responds to community expectations and stakeholder satisfaction

2.10 Implements an evaluation system that provides for the professional growth of all personnel Impact Statement An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it has leaders who are advocates for the Institution’s vision and improvement efforts. The leaders provide direction and allocate resources to implement curricular and co-curricular programs that enable students to achieve expectations for their learning. Leaders encourage collaboration and shared responsibility for Institution improvement

Accreditation Standards for Quality Institutions among stakeholders:

The Institution’s policies, procedures, and organizational conditions ensure equity of learning opportunities and support for innovation.

STANDARD 3: TEACHING AND LEARNING

The Institution provides research based curriculum and instructional methods that facilitate achievement for all students.

Quality Institution Indicators

In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

3.1 Develops and implements curriculum based on clearly defined expectations for student learning.

3.2 Promotes active involvement of students in the learning process, including opportunities for them to explore application of higher order thinking skills and investigate new approaches to applying their learning.

3.3 Gathers, analyzes, and uses data and research in making curricular and instructional choices.

3.4 Designs and uses instructional strategies, innovations, and activities that are research based and reflective of best practice

3.5 Offers a curriculum that challenges each student to excel, reflects a commitment to equity, and demonstrates an appreciation of diversity

3.6 Allocates and protects instructional time to support student learning

3.7 Provides for articulation and alignment between and among all levels of Institutions.

3.8 Implements interventions to help students meet expectations for student learning

3.9 Monitors Institution climate and takes appropriate steps to ensure that it is conducive to student learning

3.10 Provides comprehensive information and media services that support the curricular and Instructional programs.

3.11 Ensures that all students and staff members have regular and ready access to instructional technology and a comprehensive materials collection that supports the curricular and instructional program

Impact Statement

An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it implements a curriculum based on clear and measurable expectations for student learning that provides opportunities for all students to acquire requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Teachers use proven instructional practices that actively engage students in the learning process. Teachers provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills to real world situations. Teachers give students feedback to improve their performance.

STANDARD 4: DOCUMENTING AND USING RESULTS

The Institution enacts a comprehensive assessment system that monitors and documents performance and uses these results to improve student performance and Institution effectiveness.

Quality Institution Indicators
In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

4.1 Establishes performance measures for student learning that yield information that is reliable, valid, and bias free

4.2 Develops and implements a comprehensive assessment system for assessing progress toward meeting the expectations for student learning

4.3 Uses student assessment data for making decisions for continuous improvement of teaching and learning processes

Accreditation Standards for Quality Institutions

4.4 Conducts a systematic analysis of instructional and organizational effectiveness and uses the results to improve student performance

4.5 Communicates the results of student performance and Institution effectiveness to all stakeholders

4.6 Uses comparison and trend data of student performance from comparable Institutions in evaluating its effectiveness

4.7 Demonstrates verifiable growth in student performance

4.8 Maintains a secure, accurate, and complete student record system in accordance with state and federal regulations

Impact Statement
An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it uses a comprehensive assessment system based on clearly defined performance measures. The system is used to assess student performance on expectations for student learning, evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction, and determine interventions to improve student performance. The assessment system yields timely and accurate information that is meaningful and useful to Institution leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders in understanding student performance, Institution effectiveness, and the results of improvement efforts.

STANDARD 5: RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS

The Institution has the resources and services necessary to support its vision and purpose and to ensure achievement for all students.

Quality Institution Indicators
In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

5.1 Recruits, employs, and mentors qualified professional staff that are capable of fulfilling assigned roles and responsibilities

5.2 Assigns professional staff responsibilities based on their qualifications (i.e., professional preparation, ability, knowledge, and experience)

5.3 Ensures that all staff participate in a continuous program of professional development

5.4 Provides and assigns staff that are sufficient in number to meet the vision and purpose of the Institution

5.5 Budgets sufficient resources to support its educational programs and to implement its plans for improvement

5.6 Monitors all financial transactions through a recognized, regularly audited accounting system

5.7 Maintains the site, facilities, services, and equipment to provide an environment that is safe and orderly for all occupants

5.8 Possesses a written security and crisis management plan with appropriate training for stakeholders

5.9 Ensures that each student has access to guidance services that include, but are not limited to, counseling, appraisal, mentoring, staff consulting, referral, and educational and career planning

5.10 Provides appropriate support for students with special needs

Impact Statement

An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it has sufficient human, material, and fiscal resources to implement a curriculum that enables students to achieve expectations for student learning, to meet special needs, and to comply with applicable regulations. The Institution employs and allocates staffs that are well qualified for their assignments. The Institution provides ongoing learning opportunities for all staff to improve their effectiveness. The Institution ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

STANDARD 6: COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

Accreditation Standards for Quality Institutions

The Institution fosters effective communications and relationships.

Quality Institution Indicators

In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

6.1 Fosters collaboration with community stakeholders to support student learning

6.2 Has formal channels to listen to and communicate

6.3 Solicits the knowledge and skills of others to enhance the work of the Institution

6.4 Communicates the expectations for student learning and goals for improvement to all

6.5 Provides information about students, their performance, and Institution effectiveness that is meaningful and useful.

Impact Statement
An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it has the understanding, commitment, and support of stakeholders. Institution personnel seek opportunities for collaboration and shared leadership to help students learn and advance improvement efforts.

STANDARD 7: COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The Institution establishes, implements, and monitors a continuous process of improvement that focuses on student performance.

Quality Institution Indicators
In fulfillment of this standard, the Institution:

7.1 Engages in a continuous process of improvement that articulates the vision and purpose the Institution is pursuing (Vision); Maintains a rich and current description of students, their performance, Institution effectiveness, and the Institution community (Profile); employs goals and interventions to improve student performance (Plan); and documents and uses the results to inform what happens next (Results)

7.2 Engages in the processes of continuous improvement

7.3 Ensures that plans for continuous improvement are aligned with the vision and purpose of the Institution and expectations for student learning

7.4 Provides professional development for Institution personnel to help them implement improvement interventions to achieve improvement goals

7.5 Monitors and communicates the results of improvement efforts
7.6 Evaluates and documents the effectiveness and impact of its continuous process of Improvement Impact Statement

An Institution is successful in meeting this standard when it implements a collaborative and ongoing process for improvement that aligns the functions of the Institution with the expectations for student learning. Improvement efforts are sustained and the Institution demonstrates progress in improving student performance and Institution effectiveness. New improvement efforts are informed by the results of earlier efforts through reflection and assessment of the improvement process.

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