SACS CASI
Background
Dedicated to advancing excellence in education
worldwide, AdvancED provides accreditation, research,
and professional services to 27,000 institutions in 65
countries. AdvancED provides accreditation under the
seals of the North Central Association Commission on
Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council
on School Improvement (SACS CASI).
SACS CASI
The Accreditation Process
To earn and maintain accreditation, an institution must:
1.
2.
3.
Meet the AdvancED Standards and accreditation
policies. (Five standards)
Engage in continuous improvement.
Demonstrate quality assurance through internal and
external review.
SACS CASI
History
SACS CASI was contacted in 2009 by stakeholders of the
Burke County Public Schools. A Special Review team
visit was held on August 2-4, 2009 in which interviews
with stakeholders were conducted. From those
interviews the Burke County Board of Education was
found to be non-compliant with several standards and
policies. We were given twelve actions to complete in
order for us to retain accreditation. Subsequent visits
were held on December 14-15, 2009, May 10-12, 2010,
December 6-8, 2010 and May 23-24, 2011.
SACS CASI
History cont.
Following those visits we received a report of the review
teams findings and had to submit an Institution Progress
Report, detailing what we were doing to correct the
actions. Of the original twelve actions we only have two
left to complete. The review team will return on January
24-26, 2012 to see if we have completed the remaining
two actions.
SACS CASI
Required action 1
The Burke County Board of Education must be able to
validate that all actions and behaviors of board members
are fully aligned with the official board policies and all
applicable AdvancED Accreditation Standards. (Three
directives)
SACS CASI
Directives
1. Conduct a retreat, with an outside facilitator, to develop
and implement a comprehensive plan for improving the
relationships among the superintendent, members of the
board and other school system stakeholders. Ensure
that appropriate focus is given to the proper roles and
responsibilities of board members, inside and outside the
boardroom. A shared vision and commitment to student
achievement must be clearly supported in the plan.
SACS CASI
Directives
2. Conduct an attorney-led review of NC school law, open
meetings law, and other state requirements and
responsibilities for school boards, and draft and sign a
commitment to adhere to the Open Meetings Law and
other state requirements and responsibilities for school
boards.
SACS CASI
Directives
3. The superintendent and board chair will review with the
school board attorney all agendas prior to board
meetings, and the school board attorney will provide
guidance to promote the efficient and effective actions
of the board in conducting the meeting.
SACS CASI
Required action 2
The Burke County Board of Education must develop a
written plan including a timeline for the provision of
training board members in effective boardmanship.
Continue to review and educate themselves on the policy
changes, particularly in the area of board and
superintendent/management team relations; in
conjunction with this, develop and employ a written
communication plan, which includes an implementation
timeline for educating themselves, staff, and the public.
(Four directives)
SACS CASI
Directives
1. The Burke County Public Schools Board of Education
Commitment to Best Practices must be updated and
approved by the board, communicated to all stakeholder
groups through the school system’s website (and other
appropriate methods), implemented, and monitored.
SACS CASI
Directives
2. The Board and Superintendent must identify a
parliamentarian who will document any infractions of the
Burke County Public Schools Board of Education
Commitment to Best Practices by board members.
SACS CASI
Directives
3. The 30 “appropriate behaviors” that have been adopted
by a majority of the board, and included in the Burke
County Public Schools Board of Education Commitment
to Best Practices, must be included in the “self-
evaluation” tool, which must be completed by all
attending board members following every board meeting
and used to develop strategies for additional board
development and growth.
SACS CASI
Directives
4. The school system must develop, implement and
monitor a comprehensive communications plan focused
on improving communication and trust among and
between board members, the superintendent, staff and
the community. The plan should include the various
strategies delivered across multiple mediums.
SACS CASI
Next steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Board training (School Board 101)
Comprehensive plan for improving relationships
(Handout)
Communications plan (Handout)
Continued focus on student achievement
Continued review and revision of all practices
Accreditation restoration