New Jersey Quality Single Accountability

Continuum Overview of Structure and Requirements

Ann Clifton Gerry Crisonino Donna Felezzola Thomas Long

Jon Morisseau Nick O’Sullivan Jared Prupis Patricia Qualshie

Judy Rattner Pam Wilczynski Stephanie Zecca

What is NJQSAC? NJQSAC is the Department of Education’s monitoring and evaluation

system for public school districts. It is a single comprehensive accountability system that consolidates and incorporates the monitoring requirements of applicable state laws and programs and complements federally required improvements.  The system will focus on monitoring and evaluating school districts in five key components which, based on research, have been identified to be key factors in effective school districts.  These components are:

�  Instruction and program;

�  Personnel;

�  Fiscal management;

�  Operations; and

�  Governance.

Why is it necessary? �  Districts must be held accountable for student achievement.   �  The department has chosen to establish a system that will

emphasize measures that will not only effectively and efficiently assess districts, but will also allow districts to make immediate improvements. 

�  QSAC system of accountability promotes equity, efficiency and

effectiveness and will help build a public understanding among educators, policy makers, legislators, and all stakeholders.  

�  QSAC addresses the mandates of the federal legislation and

state regulations.

What is QSAC ? �  All school districts will complete self-assessment

reviews in five key areas of school district effectiveness (Instruction and Program, Personnel, Governance, Fiscal Management and Operations).

�  The system provides a clear mechanism to assess the

performance of all districts in each of the five components, places the districts on a performance continuum and identifies the level of improvement or intervention activities needed from the Department of Education.

What is QSAC ?

�  It provides for the expanded authority for the Commissioner to intervene quickly when significant problems occur.

�  It rests on principles of uniform standards, simplicity, effectiveness, efficiency, prevention and involvement of the Department of Education for only the time necessary in the specific areas of need.

How does this system of monitoring assist the department to identify improper fiscal and programmatic practices in the school districts?

�  NJQSAC assists the department in identifying both appropriate and inappropriate practices in school districts through the provisions contained in the law for early identification.  The department also utilizes the resources of the Office of Compliance and Investigation to provide a deeper evaluation of NJQSAC findings and to conduct a follow-up on audits and other pertinent indicators. 

The QSAC Process

� Become familiar with DPRs � Establish an internal team �  Identify a person to oversee each of the 5

areas � Have that person validate documentation,

where it can be located � The entire QSAC team has to agree with

document to be submitted

The QSAC Process � County Office visit of facilities on 11/6 �  Present information to Board for their

approval �  Submit district completed DPR to County

Office by 11/15 �  Prepare for visit �  The County Office visit will take place on 2/4

and 2/5 � Additional follow up may be required

The QSAC Process Ø Annually, all districts are required to complete the NJQSAC Statement of Assurance (SOA).

Ø Annually, all districts are required to conduct facilities reviews in each of the district’s school building, using a facilities checklist provided by the NJDOE.

NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) Statement of Assurance - School Year 2013-14 District Information and Score Summary Page

District Berkeley Heights

County Union

District Superintendent Judith A Rattner

District Address 345 Plainfield Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

SOA Area Score # of Yes Responses

Score % of Yes Responses

Instruction and Program 5 100%

Fiscal Management 9 90%

Governance 10 100%

Personnel 5 100%

Operations 19 95%

Ø  Once every three years, districts are required to undergo a full NJQSAC evaluation and must complete the District Performance Review (DPR).

The QSAC Process

Instruction and Program Student performance Curriculum Instructional priorities Mandated programs Early Childhood programs High school practices/graduation

Personnel Appropriate certifications and licensing of personnel Personnel policies Professional development

Fiscal Management Budget planning Financial and budgetary control Annual audit Treatment of restricted revenue (e.g., special education funds) Efficiency (e.g., shared services)

Operations Management Public school district facilities Student conduct Student health Student support services

Governance Student achievement Board training, disclosure and operation Ethics compliance Board policies, procedures and by-laws Standard school board practices (very specific laws) Annual evaluative process (of superintendent) Board/Administration collaboration Budget priorities Communications

QUESTIONS