School Accreditation

The North American Division’s school accreditation process is designed to accomplish the following:

• Assist each school in appraising the total program to determine the level to which the purposes and functions outlined in its statement of philosophy and goals for student learning are accomplished, and the extent to which these purposes and functions address the standards for accreditation.
• Involve the administration, faculty, staff, local governing board, constituency, learners, and parents in a meaningful evaluation of the program.
• Provide an independent review of the Self-study Report.
• Provide the basis for action plans to address areas needing improvement.
• Provide the basis for determining a term of accreditation.
• Assist in providing external validation with regional and/or national accrediting associations.

There are three stages to the accreditation process:

• The self-study
• The visiting committee’s review
• Follow-up activities

The self-study is the local self-assessment of its school. The self-study, accessed through Accreditrac, is not to be completed solely by the principal or teacher(s). Success demands the cooperative effort of everyone involved with the school. The self-study should be completed well in advance of the site visit.

The superintendent will set the date for a site visit. A school may request that the local conference office of education provide an accreditation orientation to the school board. At this orientation, it would be helpful to provide board members with a copy of the previous visiting committee’s report.

A coordinating committee sets up self-study committees and ensures that each committee completes the assigned work in a timely manner to allow for adequate review, editing, and completion of the self-study instrument. In a small school, the school board often serves as the coordinating committee. Self-study committee members should include board members, principal or teacher(s), staff, parents, and interested constituents.

When the visiting committee comes to the school, you should plan to conduct school as usual. Keep in mind that the visiting committee will want to interview students, visit classes, and talk to you at times throughout the day. It is helpful for the principal or teacher(s) to be available by arranging for an aide or volunteer to supervise.

The visiting committee will need a place where they can work privately while discussing and writing the report. Provide a comfortable meeting place with adequate plugs/extension cords. Plan to provide water, snacks (optional), and lunch for the visiting committee.

The visiting committee will be responsible for recommending denial of accreditation, probation, or a term of accreditation, with or without interim visits, to the conference board of education. First the conference board of education, then the union board of education, and finally the NAD Commission on Accreditation will vote to approve the term of accreditation recommended. Your school will receive an accreditation certificate that should be prominently displayed.

The school will receive a copy of the visiting committee’s report. The school board should review the visiting committee’s report and develop a plan for responding to the recommendations. An annual written report needs to be submitted to the superintendent confirming that progress is being made.