schools must follow the AdvancED accreditation process,which represents the unified accreditation process of NCA CASI and SACS CASI. Schools must:

1. Meet the AdvancED standards. The standards require

that schools have a clear vision and purpose; have

effective and responsive leadership; have a rigorous

curriculum taught through sound, research-based

methods; collect, report, and use performance results;

provide adequate resources and support for its educational programs; value and communicate with stakeholders; and have a commitment to 

continuously improve. The standards are derived from educational research and best practice. They can be viewed and downloaded at www.advanc-ed.org.

2. Engage in a continuous process of improvement.

Accredited schools are committed to being better today

than they were yesterday. Schools identify a shared

vision, maintain a school-wide profile of the current

reality, establish plans and assess the implementation of interventions, and document the results of their efforts to improve student learning and school effectiveness.

3. Demonstrate quality assurance through internal and

external review. Internal review involves the schools

and their stakeholders. External review involves feedback from experienced educators outside the schools. In both cases, reviewers examine evidence to determine if schools are meeting the standards and achieving goals for improving student learning and school effectiveness.

The AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools

serve as the foundation for the accreditation process. The

seven standards and accompanying indicators are tied

directly to research on factors that impact student learning.

Accredited schools adhere to the standards and use them

as a tool for ongoing self assessment. The standards apply

to all categories of schools, with the exception of postsecondary

schools. If you would like to learn more about

AdvancED accreditation standards, the standards can

be accessed online at www.advanc-ed.org.

How long is the accreditation term?

The accreditation process is based on a five-year term

accreditation.The process helps schools continuously

improve by providing external checks, support, and

feedback. Once every five years, the school hosts a

Quality Assurance Review Team.

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