The accreditation process for Western Association for Schools and Colleges or WASC resulted from intensive work of an advisory group composed of representatives from the WASC region.  They synthesized the issues and concerns from the WASC constituency with current thinking and research-based knowledge about teaching and learning.  The basic concepts addressed in this process focus upon student success in meeting school wide student goals or expected school wide learning results (i.e., what each student should know, understand and be able to do upon exit (graduation) from the school, or by the time the student completes the planned program) which are:

1.  How are the students doing with respect to the expected school wide learning results and curricular standards?

2.  Is the school doing everything possible to support high achievement of these results for all its students?

The purpose of accreditation is to provide an outside perspective of our school improvement process.

• Assures a school community that the school’s philosophy and learning expectations are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program.
• Support schools on their improvement process.
• Provide an overarching structure for meaningful change.
• Ensure on-going improvement with the CNMI Public School System.
• Empower schools in its endeavor to provide a quality educational experience for ALL students.

Goals of Accreditation

• Enhance the quality of the educational program experienced by the students.

• Assess appropriateness and the accomplishment of the student program with respect to its established philosophy and objectives.
• Ensure continuous on-going school improvement through addressing of key issues and/or recommendations.

The Full Accreditation Process has three (3) stages:

• The Self-Study
• The Visit
• The Follow-Up

The Self-Study Process consists of the following:

• School looks at itself versus the Accreditation criteria.
• Submit report to WASC

Upon the completion of the accreditation process, the school will have accomplished:

1.  the involvement and collaboration of stakeholders in the self-study.

2.  the clarification of the school’s purpose and the expected school wide learning results.

3.  the assessment of the actual student program and its impact on the student learning with respect to the criteria and the expected school wide learning results.

4.  the development of a school wide action plan that integrates subject area/program and support plans to address identified growth needs.

5.  the development and implementation of an accountability system for monitoring the accomplishment of the action plan.

The Accreditation Visit:

• The Visiting Committee validates school Self-Study report.
• The Committee spends three and a half days at the school.
• The Committee meets with various school committees, parents, students and PSS Key Officials.
• The Committees does classroom observation and gathers evidences.
• The Committee creates report based on review.
• The Committee reports findings to all stakeholders.

The Follow-Up Visit:

• School follow-up committee facilitates the process in addressing all key issues as a result of the On-Site visit.
• Involvement of all stakeholders from respective school community.
• Submits Annual written Progress Report to PSS Officials and WASC.

Terms of Accreditation:

• Maximum six-year with one-day on-site review
• Three-year
• Two-year
• One-year
• Denial

Term is based upon the following factors:

1.  The quality of school’s educational program with respect to the four categories of criteria.

• Organizational for Student Learning;
• Curriculum and Instruction;
• Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth;
• Resource Management and Development

2.  The Adequacy of the school-wide action plan and the capacity of the school to monitor implementation and accomplishment of the plan.

3.  The use of previous recommendations along with other pertinent data to drive school improvement (the extent to which the previous have been helpful will be taken into consideration).

4. The degree to which the school’s self-study was appropriately developed with the involvement of individuals as required by WASC.

Accreditation Services to Schools

• Acts as liaison to WASC office
• Provides Technical Assistance
• Provides Staff Development on “Focus on Learning”
• Assist schools on their School self-Study process
• Monitor Annual Progress Report
• Coordinate the On-Site visit with WASC
• Coordinate logistics with schools for the visit

Why Accreditation is Important

• The process validates the integrity of a school’s program and student transcripts.
• It fosters excellence and ongoing improvement in public and private schools.
• Accreditation is a way to manage change through regular assessment, planning, implementation and reassessment.
• It enables a school to establish and implement a three to five year improvement plan as a result of the perpetual accreditation cycle that includes:

1. School self-assessment of the current educational program for students.
2. Insight and perspective from the visiting committee.
3. Regular school staff assessment of progress through the intervening years full self-study.