quality assurance review team oral exit report district accreditation rapides parish school district...

Quality Assurance Review Team Oral Exit Report

District AccreditationDistrict AccreditationRapides Parish School Rapides Parish School DistrictDistrict

February 2, 2011

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throughout the United States and 69 countries worldwide

All Department of Defense schools 15 million students 18 thousand volunteers More than 3 million teachers

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AdvancED is ComprehensiveAdvancED is ComprehensiveAccreditation

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DistrictDistrictAccreditation Accreditation ProcessProcess

District AccreditationDistrict Accreditation

An international protocol for school districts committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable improvement– Builds capacity of the district and its schools

to increase and sustain student learning– Stimulates and improves effectiveness and

efficiency throughout the organization

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District AccreditationDistrict Accreditation

A systems approach to improvement unified, coordinated, and integrated manner in

pursuit of a shared district vision Promotes continuous improvement Strengthens efforts to meet accountability

requirements Encourages growth beyond compliance to

achieve excellence

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Cornerstones of AccreditationCornerstones of Accreditation

Meet Standards for Organizational Effectiveness School Systems Schools

Engage in Continuous Improvement Systems Perspective and Approach

Demonstrate Quality Assurance Internal Assessment External Review

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AdvancED AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality SystemsAccreditation Standards for Quality Systems

1. Vision and Purpose2. Governance and Leadership3. Teaching and Learning4. Documenting and Using Results5. Resources and Support Systems6. Stakeholder Communications

and Relationships7. Commitment to Continuous

Improvement© 2010 AdvancED

Expectations for Accreditation Expectations for Accreditation

Meet the AdvancED Standards for Quality Systems Identify and guide the implementation of a systemic

continuous improvement process Monitor its schools and departments through the

quality assurance process Prepare and host a QAR every five years Respond to findings from the QAR Team

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For a School District

Expectations for Accreditation Expectations for Accreditation

Meet the AdvancED Standards for Quality Schools Implement the district’s continuous improvement

process with fidelity Participate in the district’s quality assurance process

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For a School

Expectations for Accreditation Expectations for Accreditation

District leadership establishes and implements practices to support schools and departments Direction: sets expectations and provides

guidelines Assistance: builds understanding and develops

skills Resources: provides people, materials, time and

funds

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Quality Quality Assurance Assurance ReviewReview

Quality Assurance - External ReviewQuality Assurance - External Review

The QAR team Is comprised of professional peers with diverse

experience and rich contextual perspective Assesses and evaluates district effectiveness in

meeting the requirements of accreditation

The QAR process provides the district and its community with

Important validation and recognition Valuable feedback and direction for improvement

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Activities of the QAR TeamActivities of the QAR Team Reviewed Standard Assessment Report and District

Website Listened to District Presentations Interviewed District Stakeholders Examined Artifacts Visited a Representative Sample of Schools Observed Practices and Learning Environment Collected and Organized Data

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Activities of the QAR TeamActivities of the QAR Team Engaged in Analysis and Deliberations

Sought and maintained a systems perspective Examined the district’s actions and results in relation

to its vision, mission, and beliefs Pursued evidence that could be corroborated

through multiple sources Used evidence to guide discussions, and reach

decisions Applied the accreditation criteria and requirements

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Data CollectionData CollectionDuring the on-site Quality Assurance Review, team members visited 10 schools and interviewed:– 4 Board members– 49 Administrators– 195 Teachers– 19 Support staff – 63 Parents, community, and business partners– 130 Students

TOTAL Stakeholders 415

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Quality Assurance Team FindingsQuality Assurance Team Findings

The QAR TeamThe QAR Team

The QAR Team delivers high quality feedback by: Assessing each standard, writing narratives describing

evidence, highlighting strengths and opportunities for improvement

Providing commendations that identify and celebrate significant accomplishments in meeting or exceeding standards

Defining required actions to help improve district effectiveness and student learning

Communicating findings orally and in writing Making an accreditation recommendation for national review

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CommendationsCommendationsThe Quality Assurance Review Team commends Rapides Parish

School district for:

• The system has established a vision and mission which reflect the beliefs and values of current stakeholders that drives decision-making throughout the district.

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Commendations• The numerous partnerships between

the system and the business and university community enhance student success at all levels.

• The system is committed to using a wide variety of strategies and instructional methods to promote inquiry and discovery preparing students for college and the work force.

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COMMENDATIONS

• The system demonstrates a commitment for learning to all students and the surrounding communities by sharing learning opportunities with other schools and school systems.

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COMMENDATIONS

• System leaders provide direction and allocate resources to implement progressive programs beneficial to all students.

Required ActionsRequired Actions

The Quality Assurance Review Team has determined that Rapides Parish School District must act on the following:

• Implement a district-wide program to close the present achievement gaps in minority and disadvantaged student sub-groups.

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REQUIRED ACTIONS

• Investigate funding opportunities for instructional technology; specifically, long range planning, equitable access and maintenance.

• Expand the AdvancED process of continuous improvement to increase direction and assistance to schools to ensure all AdvancED standards are met.

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Standards RubricsStandards RubricsHighly Functional

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The district is exceptional in its demonstration of the standard and exhibits practices not commonly found in other schools. A small percentage of districts have standards ratings at this level.

The district is demonstrating the standard and using practices commonly found in other schools. Many districts have standards ratings at this level.

Operational

Emerging

Not Evident

The district is beginning to put in place the practices necessary to meet the standard but is not meeting it. Many districts have standards ratings at this level.

The district has not put practices in place or beginning efforts to meet the standard. Some districts have standards ratings at this level.

Ratings by StandardRatings by Standard

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Standard Rating

Vision and Purpose

Governance and Leadership

Teaching and Learning

Documenting and Using Results

Resources and Support Systems

Stakeholder Communications and Relationships

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Highly Functional

Operational

Highly Functional

Operational

Operational

Highly Functional

Operational

Standards EvaluationStandards Evaluation

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3

4

0

0

Evidence-Based AccreditationEvidence-Based Accreditation

AccreditedXAccredited

On AdvisementWarnedProbation

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Deny or Drop Accreditation

X

Accreditation Status ProcessAccreditation Status Process

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QAR Team Provides Evidence via Report

AdvancED Accreditation Commission Determines Accreditation Status and

Grants Term of Accreditation

Next StepsNext Steps

A written report of the findings will be submitted within 30 business days

After receipt of the report, the district is expected to: Review and communicate the findings Address the required actions

o Districts are accountable for acting on these Monitor school and system accreditation standards and

improvement efforts on ongoing basis Submit the Accreditation Progress Report

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Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, we extend: Our appreciation for your hospitality, support, and

professionalism; Our respect and acknowledgement of your efforts to

improve the quality of your school district; and Our congratulations for your progress toward

achieving District Accreditation as a quality system.

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We believe in the We believe in the power to transform.power to transform.

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STUDENT DESCRIPTIONS

• AWESOME• SUPERIOR• CARING• NEW• UNIQUE• CHANGING• COMPETITIVE

Students

• SUPPORTING• DEPENDABLE• DIVERSE• CHALLENGING• OPPORTUNITIES• HELPFUL• MOTIVATING