LIMESTONE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
“Commitment to Children”
Standards Assessment Report
AdvancED District Accreditation
Standards Assessment Report
AdvancEd District Accreditation
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Table of Contents
Section I - Introduction
Glossary of Terms……………………………………..………………………..
Message from the Superintendent………………….…………………….……..
Limestone County Board of Education…………………………………………
Limestone County School System Vision and Mission………….……………..
District Administrator Directory……………………………………………….
District Accreditation Committees……………………………………………..
Organization Chart……………………………………………………………..
LEA Accountability Central Office Support Team…………………………….
AdvancEd District Accreditation Timeline…………………………………….
Overview of the Process………………………………….………………….....
4
9
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
21
Section II – Profile
Limestone County School System Overview ………..…………….…….……
Limestone County Schools Profile………………………………….…………
Student Performance Charts………………………………………..………….
Quality Staff………………………………………………………..………….
Grants……………………………………………………………….…………
Programs and Services…………………………………………….………….
24
26
32
43
43
45
Section III - District Accreditation Standards
Standard I:
Vision and Purpose……………………………………………
Standard II: Governance and Leadership……………………………..……
Standard III: Teaching and Learning………………………………………..
Standard IV: Documenting for Results…………………….………………..
Standard V: Resource and Support Systems……………………………….
Standard VI: Stakeholder Communication and Relationships………………
Standard VII: Commitment to Continuous Improvement……………………
58
67
79
89
99
109
119
Section IV - Peer-to-Peer Practice Submission ……………………………………
129
Section V - Quality Assurance
Limestone County School System Improvement Plan Overview..……...……
Limestone County School System Improvement Plan ……….……..…..……
Limestone County School System Action Plan………..……………………..
131
132
140
Section VI – Conclusion …………………………………………………….………
147
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Section I:
Introduction
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Glossary of Terms
AAA
Alabama Alternate Assessment
An alternative assessment given to students with IQ’s of 55 or less
AASB
Alabama Association of School Boards
The official voice of the state's local school boards and other boards governing
K-12 public education agencies
ACCESS
Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide
Provides opportunities and options for Alabama public high school students to
engage in Advanced Placement
ACOS
Alabama Course of Study- Standards for curriculum and instruction
ACT
American College Testing
An independent, not-for-profit organization that provides more than a hundred
assessment, research, information, and program management services in the
broad areas of education and workforce development
ADAW
Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing
State Department of Education mandated, criterion-referenced writing
assessment administered t students in grades 5, 7, and 10
AEA
Alabama Education Association
An advocate organization that leads the movement for excellence in education
and shall be the voice of the professor
AHSGE
Alabama High School Graduation Examination
State Department of Education mandated mathematics, science, language,
reading, and social studies assessments given to students in grades 10-12,
requiring passage of all parts for graduation
ALSDE
Alabama State Department of Education
The Alabama State Department of Education, Montgomery, Alabama
AMO
Annual Measureable Objectives
Are a set of state-established benchmarks for monitoring changes in performance
among and across student subgroups, schools, and districts. States established
the objectives as part of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) required by the federal
No Child Left Behind Act
AMSTI
Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative
An initiative designed to ensure that upon graduation students are proficient in
math and technology and knowledgeable in science
AP
Advanced Placement
College- level courses offered to high school juniors and seniors
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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ARI
Alabama Reading Initiative
A program developed in the state of Alabama target reading deficiencies
ARMT
Alabama Reading and Math Test
An ALSDE-mandated, criterion-referenced assessment administered to students
in grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics
ASA
Alabama Science Assessment
A new state-mandated, criterion-referenced assessment for students in grades 5,
7, and 10
ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
A career exploration and planning program that includes a multiple aptitude test
battery, an interest inventory, and various career planning tools designed to help
students explore the world of work
ATHENA
Automated system in use by all school media centers to track circulation and
inventory and to catalog books
AYP
Adequate Yearly Progress
Use each year to determine the achievement of each school district and school
and is diagnostic in nature, and intended to highlight where schools need
improvement and should focus their resources.
BBSST
Building-Based Student Support Team
a school-based, problem solving approach to meet the needs of at-risk students in
regular education classroom settings.
BEST
Building and Empowering Students Together
BEST Academy is to provide students, identified as academically at-risk, the
opportunity to acquire the necessary academic and behavioral skills to graduate
from high school and become a successful member of society.
BIC
Business and Industry Certified
A means of assisting career/technical education programs to improve by setting
standards against which all programs can measure progress
BLT
Building Leadership Team
A school-based team providing a voice and leadership to guide site-based
decisions.
CIP
Continuous Improvement Plan – local school plan for improvement revised as
needed
CLAS
Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools
Provides professional development, communications, legal support, legislative
lobbying, recognition and more to all members
COST
Central Office Support Team
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Supports local schools and monitors instruction to support student achievement
CTC
Career Technical Center
Center for learning skills and knowledge to be competitive and productive
members for our ever changing society
DIBELS
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills
An indicator of reading development for students in grades K through 6
EGAP
Electronic Grant Application Program
An online Federal Programs Consolidated Application that encompasses Special
Education, Career and Technical Education, Safe and Drug-Free Education, and
Technology Initiatives
ELL
English Language Learner
Individuals for whom English is not their native language
ESL
English as a Second Language
A designation for students lacking proficiency in the English language and the
program for providing assistance to meet their needs
EXPLORE
A program designed to help 8th and 9th graders explore a broad range of options
for their future
FFA
Future Farmers of America
Brings together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for
agricultural education.
HASP
Hands-on Activity Science Program
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
A United States federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide
early intervention, special education, and related services to children with
disabilities
I-ELP
Intensive – English Language Program
A multi-level, personalized program designed to improve the skills of those for
whom English is a second language
IVC
Interactive Video Conferencing
An integration of audio, video and data presentation tools which translates into
functional and easy to use meeting facilities
LCSS
Limestone County School System
LEA
Local Education Agency
LEP
Limited English Proficiency
LIP
Local Education Agency Improvement Plan
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A system-wide plan for explaining the steps to remedy targeted areas of need or
academic deficiency
NAEP
National Assessment of Educational Progress
NATE
North Alabama Teacher Exchange
Regional in-service center
NEA
National Education Association
NCLB
No Child Left Behind
NTA
New Teacher Academy
Teacher induction program providing support to all new teachers
OLSAT
Otis-Lennon School Ability Test
PASS
Preparing Alabama’s Students for Success
The PASS initiative will develop, sustain, and/or facilitate a comprehensive
prevention and intervention program for students in any combination of grades 6
through 12 who are at risk of school failure
PDP
Professional Development Plan
PEPE
Professional Educators Personnel Evaluation System
A system of instruments used to evaluate professional educators within the state
of Alabama
PLAN
The PLAN program helps 10th graders build solid foundation for future
academic and career success and provides information needed to address school
districts’ high-priority issues
PSAT
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
A standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning
Test™
PTA
Parent-Teacher Association
PTF
Parent-Teacher Fellowship
PTO
Parent-Teacher Organization
SACS
Southern Accreditation of Colleges and Schools
SAM
School Assistance Meetings
A state school improvement initiative to support local school districts
SAT- 10
Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition
SBR
Scientifically Based Research
SES
Supplemental Educational Services
Additional academic instruction designed to increase the academic achievement
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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of students in schools in the second year of improvement, corrective action, or
restructuring
SIR
Student Incident Report
Form to document the details of a serious student incident
SPE
Special Education
The individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching
procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other
interventions designed to help learners with special needs
STAR
Standard Testing Assessing Reading
A computer-adaptive, norm-referenced reading test
STI
Software Technology, Inc.
A leading provider of Education Data Management solutions to the K-12
market. STI’s fully integrated suite of products addresses attendance, scheduling,
special education, assessment, discipline, grade reporting, professional
development, fund accounting, health, and parent/teacher communications
SUCCESS
School Uniting Colleagues Create Effective Successful Students
A district teacher mentor initiative supporting new teachers for the first 2 years
of employment
TRAIL
Together Renewing And Improving Limestone
A philanthropic youth board consisting of students from the Limestone County
area
VOICE
Voters Organization Involved in Children’s Education
WIDA
World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment
A consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high
standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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LIMESTONE COUNTY
SCHOOLS
Message from the Superintendent
On behalf of the Limestone County Schools, I would like to welcome the SACS/CASI AdvancED
Quality Assurance Review Team to our community and school district. We are proud of our school
district and the 8700 students who attend our schools. Our students, parents and employees work hard
to improve our schools and to support the improvement efforts for all schools. Our motto for our
school district is, “We are a school system, not a system of schools.”
For many years, SACS has played a vital role in our continuous improvement efforts. Although we are
participating in our first system-wide accreditation process, the preparation has been extremely
valuable to all of us. The District Accreditation process has been a meaningful learning experience for
our employees that will ensure we align school based initiatives with our school system initiatives.
The Limestone County Schools has grown significantly over the past five years and we project
continued growth in our community and schools. We understand the challenges and opportunities that
come with a thriving community. We, in the Limestone County Schools, continue to explore new
programs and strategies for meeting the needs of our highly engaged and technologically advanced
students. We welcome the opportunity to work with you to identify ways that we can enhance our
efforts toward continuous improvement for all students and schools.
We are excited about your visit to our community. We look forward to your three-day review that we
believe will lead to District Accreditation as a Quality School System. Thank you for your
commitment to children and for your partnership with our school district.
Sincerely,
Barry L. Carroll, Ed.D.
Standards Assessment Report
AdvancED District Accreditation
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LIMESTONE COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Charles Shoulders
District 1
Mr. John Wayne King
District 2
Mr. Bryant Moss
District 3
The School Board
Mr. Darin Russell
District 4
The governing body of the Limestone County Schools
consists of seven school board members who are elected
by districts within the county for six year terms. The
school board members have staggered election years
which allows for continued consistency among school
board members. Board members must reside in the
county district to which he or she is elected and are
voted into office by the voters in that district. Although,
board members are elected by districts, they operate as
one governing body, ensuring fair and consistent practices
for all schools throughout the district.
Mr. James Shannon
District 5
The Board is responsible for making policies, while
approving budgets, programs and services, and addressing
personnel matters. Regular school board meetings are
held once a month with a provision for a second meeting
per month if necessary. All school board meetings are
open to the public.
Mr. Anthony Hilliard
District 6
The members of the Limestone County Board of Education
are members of the Alabama Association of School Boards
and the National School Boards Association.
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Mr. Earl Glaze
District 7
LIMESTONE COUNTY
SCHOOL SYSTEM
“Commitment to Children”
Vision
Limestone County School System, in partnership with our
families and our communities, will strive to ensure that
each child reaches his or her full human potential to
become a contributing citizen through an educational
system emphasizing each child’s unique abilities and
individual talents and holding students, parents,
educators, and the community accountable for achieving
our expectations in a safe, nurturing environment.
Mission
Leading the way to educational excellence
in our
Commitment to children
providing a
Safe nurturing environment for learning
through
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Stakeholder support
Administrator Directory
Central Office
Office of Superintendent
Superintendent of Education……………………….………………. Dr. Barry Carroll
Secretary to Superintendent……………………………………….. Judy Justin
Assistant Superintendent of Education……………….……………. Mr. Mike Owens
Secretary to Assistant Superintendent…………………….……….. Sylvia Jones
Accounting Department
Chief School Finance Officer…………………………..…………..
General Fund/Local Schools Accountant…………………………..
Payroll Accountant……………………………………………. …..
Accounts Payroll Clerk……………………………………………..
CNP/Other Programs Accountant…………………………………..
Jonathan Craft
Kim Emerson
Tammy Nichols
Glory Daly
Lori Adams
Child Nutrition
CNP Director……………………………………………………… Linda Griffin
Secretary/Bookkeeper……………………………………...……… Teresa Rogers
Curriculum and Instruction
Elementary Curriculum Director………………………………..… Zebbra Green
Secretary………………………………………………………..…. Brenda Baker
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator…………………………..….. Sharon Gallien
Secondary Curriculum Director……………………………..……. Jan Tribble
Secretary……………………………………………………….….. Robye Shoulders
Secondary Curriculum Coordinator………………………………. Robbie Lauderdale
SUCCESS District Coordinator…………………………..…….…
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Natalia Dooley
Textbook Clerk/Energy Manager……………………………….... Joe Nave
Textbook Inventory Clerk……………………………………...…. Janette Daniels
Textbook Data Entry Clerk………………………………….….… Vickie William
Federal Programs, Testing, Alternative School
Federal Programs, Testing, Alternative School Director……..…... Debbie Owens
Secretary………………………………………………………….. Karen Burchfield
ELL Coordinator………………………………………………..... Mary Robinson
PASS Coordinator……………………………………………..…. Donna Morris
Maintenance Department
Maintenance Director……………………………………….……
Secretary………………………………………………….………
Steve Wallace
Laurie Page
Special Education
Special Education Director……………………………………..…
Secretary………………………………………………………..…
Referral Coordinator…………………………………………..…..
Referral/BBSST Coordinator………………………………….….
504 Coordinator………………………………………………..….
Mentor…………………………………………………………..…
Jack Mullins
Barbara Gregg
Shanon Kyser
Tara Bachus
Steve Romine
Dianne Berzett
School Nurse
Registered Nurse Coordinator…………………………………….
Assistant…………………………………………….……………..
Rhonda Gibbs
Jamie Berryhill
Technology
Technology Director………………………………………………
Training Specialist…………………………………………………
Transportation
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Karen Tucker
Lynette Cobb
Transportation Director…………………………….……………..
Secretary……………………………………………………….….
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Darryl Adams
Laurie Page
Limestone County AdvancED District Accreditation Committees
Zebbra Green, Internal Facilitator
AdvancEd Steering Committee
Dr. Barry Carroll, Chairperson
Mike Owens, Co-Chair
Zebbra Green, Facilitator
Dianne Berzett
Sharon Gallien
Tara Bachus
Jan Tribble
Robbie Lauderdale
Natalia Dooley
Shanon Kyser
Karen Tucker
Mary Robinson
Debbie Owens
Donna Morris
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Elementary Curriculum Director
Special Education Mentor
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Gifted Referral/BBSST Coordinator
Secondary Curriculum Director
Secondary Curriculum Coordinator
SUCCESS District Coordinator
Special Education Referral Coordinator
Director of Technology/Public Relations
ELL and Federal Programs Coordinator
Director of Federal Programs
PASS Coordinator
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Vision and Purpose
Standard One
Jack Mullins, Chairperson
Dianne Berzett, Co- Chair
Sharon Gallien, Co-Chair
Billy Owens
Matt Taylor
Angie White
Special Education Director
Special Education Mentor
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
High School Administrator (Principal)
Elementary Teacher
Parent Representative
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Tanner High School
Reid Elementary School
Clements High School
Governance and Leadership
Standard Two
Dr. Barry Carroll, Chairperson
Tara Bachus, Co-Chair
Sharon Gallien, Co-Chair
John Wayne King
Johnny Bachus
Sandra Dorning
Annessa Smith
Carolyn Thomas
Beth Doucette
Josie Jenkins
Greta Phillips
Superintendent
Gifted Referral/BBSST Coordinator
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Athens State University/Board Member
High School Administrator
High School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
High School Teacher
Elementary Teacher
Parent Representative
Parent Representative
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AdvancEd District Accreditation
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Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Clements High School
West Limestone High School
West Limestone High School
East Limestone High School
Elkmont High School
Tanner High School
Johnson/Ardmore Schools
Owens Elementary School
Teaching and Learning
Standard Three
Jan Tribble, Chairperson
Zebbra Green, Co-Chair
Dana Rhinehart
Rhonda Hacker
Kim Belew
Suzy Carter
Renea Clem
Mickey Glass
Lisa Dawson
Cleo Miller
Angie Barnes
Matt Taylor
Marie Henderson
Secondary Curriculum Director
Elementary Curriculum Director
Reading Coach/Teacher
Teacher
Parent Representative
Teacher
Parent Representative
School Administrator (Principal)
Teacher
School Administrator (Principal)
Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal
Parent Representative
Central Office
Central Office
Ardmore High School
Cedar Hill Elementary School
Clements High School
Creekside Elementary School
East Limestone High School
Elkmont High School
Johnson Elementary School
Owens Elementary School
Piney Chapel Elementary School
Reid Elementary School
Tanner High School
Documenting & Using Results
Standard Four
Debbie Owens, Chair
Donna Morris, Co-Chair
Mary Robinson
Bill Hardyman
Jan Cole
Shannon Garrison
Karen Burchfield
Amelia Smith
Hilda Malone
Director of Federal Programs
PASS Coordinator
ELL and Federal Programs Coordinator
School Administrator (Principal)
Teacher
Teacher
Support Staff
Community Representative
Parent Representative
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Piney Chapel Elem. School
Tanner High School
BEST Academy
Central Office
Elkmont High School
Tanner High School
Resource & Support Systems
Standard Five
Mike Owens, Chairperson
Robbie Lauderdale, Co-Chair
Shanon Kyser, Co- Chair
Jonathan Craft
Darryl Adams
Steve Wallace
Judy Scarcelli
Barry Pylant
Keith Hairrell
Rebecca Valenzuela
Brad Lewis
Linda Schmidt
Assistant Superintendent
Secondary Curriculum Coordinator
Special Education Referral Coordinator
Director of Finance
Director of Transportation
Director of Maintenance
Parent Representative
Parent Representative
Assistant Principal
Reading Coach/Parent
Teacher
Teacher
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Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Creekside Elementary School
West Limestone High School
Clements High School
Johnson Elementary School
Ardmore High School
Elkmont High School
Stakeholder Communications & Relationships
Standard Six
Karen Tucker, Chairperson
Shannon Kyser, Co-Chair
Tommy Hunter
Matt Scott
Nancy Page
Dawn Brown
Charlotte McMullins
Director of Technology/Public Relations
Sp. Ed. Referral Coordinator
School Administrator, Principal
School Administrator, Principal
Elementary Teacher
Secondary Teacher
Parent Representative
Central Office
Central Office
Ardmore High School
Creekside Elementary School
Clements High School
East Limestone High School
Tanner High School
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Standard Seven
Natalia Dooley, Co- Chair
Mary Robinson, Co-Chair
Zebbra Green
Angie Barnes
Kaine Story
Tommy Hunter
Kelley Lewter
Dr. Lisa Hyde
Melissa Christ
SUCCESS District Coordinator
ELL and Federal Programs Coordinator
Elementary Curriculum Director
Reading Coach/ Asst. Principal
Secondary Teacher
School Administrator, Principal
Assistant Principal
Professor
Parent Representative
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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Central Office
Central Office
Central Office
Piney Chapel Elementary
East Limestone High School
Ardmore High School
West Limestone High School
Athens State University
Elkmont High School
Jonathan Craft
Custodian of
Funds
SCHOOL
BOARD MEMBERS
Judy Justin
Secretary
to the
Board &
Superintendent
Sylvia Jones
Secretary
Kim Wales
Receptionist
Darryl Adams
Transportation
Director
DR. BARRY L. CARROLL
SUPERINTENDENT
Rhonda Gibbs
School Nurse
MIKE OWENS
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Karen Tucker
Director of Technology,
Public Relations,
Professional Development
Payroll
&
Accounts Payable
Steve Wallace
Maintenance
Director
Laurie Page
Secretary
Brenda Baker
Elem. Curriculum
Secretary
Joe Nave, Curriculum Clerk/Energy Manager
Jeanette Daniels, Textbook Inventory Clerk
Vickie Williams, Textbook Data Entry
Zebbra Green
Elementary
Curriculum
Director
Jan Tribble
Secondary
Curriculum
Director
Linda Griffin
CNP
Director
Teresa Rogers
CNP Secretary/Bookkeeper
Sharon Gallien
Elem. Curriculum
Coordinator
Natalia Dooley
Mentor
Debbie Owens
Director
Fed. Programs,
Testing, Grant
Writing, Alternative
Programs
Donna Morris
PASS
Coordinator
Mary Robinson
ELL/Coordinator
Karen
Burchfield
Secretary
Jack Mullins
Special
Education
Director
Lynette Cobb
Training Specialist
Transportation
Mechanics
General
Maintenance
Principals
Steve Romine
504 Coordinator
Dianne Berzett
Mentor
Shanon Kyser
Referral Coordinator
Robye Shoulders
Sec. Curriculum
Secretary
Robbie Lauderdale
Sec. Curriculum
Coordinator
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AdvancEd District Accreditation
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Tara Bachus
Sp Ed Referral/
BBSST Coordinator
Barbara Gregg
Special Education Secretary
Limestone County School System COST Accountability Roundtable
School Leadership Team
Pat Gartman
Troy Rogers
Amy Swinea
Beth Bates
Chelsea Gant
Greg Sutton
Kim Shores
Regina Clem
Beverly Henley
Rebecca Taylor
Farrah Simpson
Hayden Miller
Zebbra Green
School Leadership Team
Angie Barnes
Zebbra Green
Tina Murphy
Amanda Vining
Nancy Norman
Traci Cherry
School Leadership Team
Kenny Jordan
Doug Warner
Anita Bates
Kelley Compton
Cindy Wales
Joey Thompson
Shane Carpenter
Marcy Mitchell
Shelia Fields
Tracy Compton
Lauren Campbell
Emma Cooper
Natalia Dooley
Rusty Bates
Jamie Smith
Judi Atchley
Sandra Chafin
Mike Jackson
Tom Stevenson
Amanda Kirk
Jeff Hodges
Mary Albro
Ronda Garner
Dana Rhinehart
Pam Emerson
Linda McMellon
Rebecca Taylor
Betsye Spencer
Donna Jo Curtis
Crystal Boggs
Amanda Madewell
Mary Zayed
Troy Reed
Betsye Spencer
Krystle Landtroop
Terri Tiemann
Traci Young
Ardmore High School
Tommy Hunter, Principal
Piney Chapel Elem. School
Bill Hardyman, Principal
School Leadership Team
Cedar Hill Elementary School
Harold Johns, Principal
Elkmont High School
Mickey Glass, Principal
Kay Nelms
Natalia Dooley
Jennifer Carr
Sherry Lannom
Donna Mosley
Brenda Carter
School Leadership Team
Kim McKay
Donna Cotton
Rebecca Taylor
Roger Cobb
Kim Campbell
Emily Emerson
Donna Randolph
Zebbra Green
Natalia Dooley
Debbie Poland
Rebecca Valenzuela
Cynthia Newton
Kim Scoggins
Marlis Vermilion
Angie Macklin
Lisa McCulley
Kaye McFarlen
David Savoie
Johnson Elementary School
Joan Austin, Principal
Mary Robinson
Tara Bachus
School Leadership Team
School Leadership Team
Lori Brocato
Sandra Bass
Renee Beggs
Marinda Dees
Amanda Moss
Andrea Swan
Dana Jackson
Andrew Gentry
Kelly Kelsoe
Angie White
Danny Rosson
Austin White
Jody Brown
Kelly Anderson
Laura Taylor
Leanne Hudleston
Thomas Young
Karen Carter
Tina Downs
Frank Hutchinson
Tammy Moss
Debbie Hoffman
Rita Rosson
Austin Welborn
Jan Tribble
Robbie Lauderdale
Clements High School
Donald Wilson, Principal
Fred Richter
Chris Bolen
Dwight Collins
Tom Hill
Lynn Persell
Cliff Smith
Creekside Elementary School
Matt Scott, Principal
Rusty Strickland
Mia Black
Charles Durham
Anthony Mitchell
Gayle Black
Gia Russell
School Leadership Team
Karen Tucker
Shannon Kyser
Owens Elementary School
Cleo Miller, Principal
West Limestone High School
Charlotte Craig, Principal
School Leadership Team
Karen Tucker
Sharon Ferguson
Jan Holt
Kerry Gowan
Tara Tipper
Misty Alexander
Amanda Thomas
Kathy Atkins
Debbie Appleton
Jimmy Biggs
East Limestone High School
Dennis Black, Principal
Dr. Barry Carroll, Superintendent
Mr. Mike Owens, Assistant Superintendent
Career Technical Center
Stan Davis, Director
School Leadership Team
Renea Davis
Sharon Daly
John Kinney
Wendy Golden
Dehone Toney
Vicki Ferrara
Elaine Lauderdale
Rita Schrimsher
Laura Haggenmaker
Donna Morris
Tammy Aldridge
Jack Brannon
Charity Hagenmaker
Anna Black
Debbie Owens
Donna Morris
Shanon Kyser
Vicki Curtis
Marla Williams
Tammy Britton
Shana Gant
Sueann Hobbs
Jennifer Smith
Myrtle Caudle
Debbie Porter
Lauren Wooten
Reid Elementary School
Dr. Casey Lewis, Principal
Jack Mullins
Sharon Gallien
Dianne Berzett
Tanner High School
Billy Owens, Principal
School Leadership Team
School Leadership Team
Karen Tucker
Shanon Kyser
Johnny Bachus
Kelley Lewter
Suzanne Bates
Patsy Rogers
Diana Downs
Brian English
Sandra Blankenship
Lunetta Reyer
Patti Seibert
Carla McPeters
Joanne Gromek
Sharon Wallace
Jennifer Smith
Carla Daws
Stacy Cook
Lisa Davis
Ricky Green
Marsha Blankenship
Kevin Ward
Bevin Forsyth
Vince Green
Glen Garner
Debbie Owens
Mary Robinson
Cynthia LeSueur
Carol Goode
Ricky Langford
Mary Beth Smith
Deana Hollaway
Nancy Engle
Nancy Shores
Sherry Morrow
Sheila Knox
Faye Hill
Pam Pepper
Tonia Wilburn
Karen Brown
Jaime Emerson
Kristin Andrews
Christy White
Annie Knight
Dianne Berzett
Sharon Gallien
Jack Mullins
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Randy Hamilton
Happy Alexander
Robye Andrews
Dawn Harper
Angielean Stokes
Amy Goff
Beverly Toney
Rhonda Hilbert
Cheryl Greene
Dianne Borden
Leslie Pace
Jordan Scruggs
Grayson Edgemon
Debbie Owens
Suzy Carter
Lori Edgemon
Denise Wood
Wendy Wallace
Atona Broussard
Heather Jewell
Paul Hargrove
Matthew Kyle
Joe Shunnarah
Denise Wood
Margaret Kelley
Cade Weiner
Anna Shunnarah
School Leadership Team
Allison Usery
Terry Whitt
Latricia Smith
Elizabeth Anderson
Holly Kelley
Michelle Davis
Lynn Hodges
Lindsey McBay
Matt Taylor
Brenda Durham
Mary Kelly
Dianne Berzett
Jack Mullins
Sharon Gallien
Tonia Wilburn
Pamela Marshall
Tina Wiggs
Maria Zamora
Deidre Mullins
Dana Womack
Mitzi Faulkner
District Accreditation Timeline
Assignment/Activity
Responsible Stakeholder(s) Completion Date
Letter of Interest
Overview of District
Accreditation to Central
Office Staff
Readiness Visit for C.O. and
Principals
Letter of Request for Approval
of Candidacy to Dr. Mark
Elgart
Approval for Candidacy
Review of information and
development of Central Office
Support Team/Steering
Committee
Administer school
effectiveness surveys to
students, parents, support
staff, teachers, principals
Information/Data distributed
and Local School CIP’s
Developed
Standards Committees
Developed and began working
on SAR
After extensive work and
consideration of the goals of
Limestone County Schools a
Letter of Request for
Extension was submitted by
Dr. Carroll.
Dates for QAR Visit
Established
CIP’s/LIP Reviewed with
current data and revised
COST continues to meet to
look at lines of evidence at the
district level
Standards Committees
continue to look at lines of
evidence and answer the focus
questions
Dr. Barry Carroll
Dr. Barry Carroll
September 2006
October 2006
Mr. Jimmie Lawrence
December 2006
Dr. Barry Carroll
January 2007
Dr. Mark Elgart
Mike Owens/Zebbra Green
January 2007
March 2007
Karen Tucker/Zebbra Green
April 2007
Zebbra Green/Debbie Owens
September 2007
COST/Steering Committee
October 2007
Dr. Barry Carroll/COST
July 2008
Dr. Barry Carroll/Zebbra Green
April 19-22, 2009
COST
August/September 2008
COST
On-going
Standards Committees
January 2009
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AdvancEd District Accreditation
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Assignment/Activity
Responsible Stakeholder(s) Completion Date
Editing/Revision of District
Guided Self-Study/SAR
Complete Executive Summary
Report
Submit Executive Summary
Report
Update on QAR visit and
accreditation process to Board
Members and Principals
Final Preparation for QAR
Visit
QAR Team Visit
COST
February 2009
COST
February 2009
Dr. Barry Carroll/Zebbra Green
March 2009
Dr. Barry Carroll/COST
March 2009
Zebbra Green/COST
March/April 2009
All Stakeholders
April 19-22, 2009
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Overview of the Process
Limestone County School System recognizes the benefits of accreditation through Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. All schools in the system with the exception of Johnson
Elementary School are accredited schools that have maintained their accreditation status.
Johnson Elementary School is in the candidacy program preparing to schedule the QAR visit.
When introduced to the AdvancEd District Accreditation, Limestone County Schools System
embraced the idea with enthusiasm. District Accreditation aligned with our efforts in becoming
“A School System, Not a System of Schools”. District Accreditation efforts enhanced our
system-wide planning process for continuous improvement, aligning our goals and practices, and
improving student learning.
In October 2006, Dr. Barry Carroll, LCSS Superintendent of Education introduced district
accreditation to the central office cabinet members. The curriculum department attended an
AdvancEd training session and provided detail report to the Superintendent. In November 2006,
Mr. Jimmie Lawrence, Director of Alabama SACS CASI, delivered a presentation to our
principals outlining the process and benefits. In December 2006, the Superintendent outlined the
new accreditation process and benefits to the Limestone County Board of Education
recommending approval to proceed with the District Accreditation process. Board approval was
granted. A requisite letter was written in January 2007, requesting consideration as a District
Accreditation Candidate by the Superintendent. Approval to participate as candidate for District
Accreditation was received from Dr. Mark Elgart. The Quality Assurance Review visit was then
scheduled for October 19, 2008.
Zebbra Green, LCSS director of elementary curriculum, was named as the District Accreditation
facilitator for Limestone County School System. The System Steering Committee was
established and work began to prepare for the Guided Self-Study. As the process was reviewed,
the committee saw the need for the system and each local school to have a Continuous
Improvement Plan to ensure alignment of local school goals with system level vision, mission,
and goals. Continuous Improvement Plans had previously been implemented for our six Title
Schools, but had not been implemented for the LCSS non-title schools. The Alabama State
Department of Education Continuous Improvement Plan template was used to provide a measure
of uniformity and alignment for schools and the district. The quality assurance component,
Central Office Support Team (COST), was developed to lead and monitor improvement efforts
throughout the system. Members were assigned as support to local schools in a feeder-school
pattern. Local school administrators and members of the local school leadership teams met at
central office for an all day training and work session to review data and begin the process to
develop Continuous Improvement Plans. Data was reviewed, discussed, and COST members
worked with the local schools. Leadership Teams, which include various stakeholders, were
developed at the local schools. The charge involved careful study of data looking for trends and
patterns. Each local school Leadership Team was tasked with review of the system and local
school data to generate CIPs and Action Plans for improving student learning. CIPs and Action
Plans were developed and implemented with the understanding that a review of the process
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AdvancED District Accreditation
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would take place each year for necessary revisions as indicated by the data. During this process,
extensive collaboration and continuous communication among all involved stakeholders further
stimulated the progress toward becoming a “school system, not a system of schools”.
Standards were assigned to the COST members, and committees for each standard were
developed to review and analyze evidence to support each of the indicators. Stakeholder
perception surveys were sent to students, parents, support staff, teachers, and administration.
Data was gathered and provided to the chairperson of each standard for review and analysis by
the committees. The COST members realized through this process that more time was needed to
analyze each standard in more depth in order to gain the many benefits from the self-study
process. As a result a letter was written on July 10, 2008 by the Superintendent asking to extend
our QAR visit from October 19-21, 2008 to April 19-22, 2009. The change was granted by Dr.
Mark Elgart.
The District Guided Self-Study was completed in February 2009. COST members provided
direction and structure throughout the development of the Guided Self-Study. The committee
collected and analyzed quantitative data from a variety of sources. Strengths and areas of focus
were identified. The district assessed the degree of compliance with the AdvancEd Standards.
The district shared the System Level Continuous Improvement Plan with the local schools and
worked with each school to ensure alignment. Local school Leadership Teams were engaged at
each school and provided means for local school participation and collaboration at the school
level as the system plan was being developed. The local school Leadership Teams worked
collaboratively with the COST/Steering Committee to ensure alignment and support at all levels.
Each school’s CIP and Action Plan are expected to identify goals that are in alignment with the
system’s vision, mission and Continuous Improvement Plan. Finances are organized to fulfill
the system’s vision for improving student learning. All data is frequently monitored and timely
feedback is provided to the administration. The principal provides the information to the faculty
allowing adjustments to be made to the curriculum and instruction. The school board is kept
informed of ongoing system improvement efforts. The quality assurance component, COST, has
become an integral process to drive improvement and has a positive impact on teaching practice.
The system’s improvement efforts are reviewed and revised annually. The support of effective
leadership, allocation of appropriate resources along with continuous monitoring and feedback
sustain improvement efforts and ensure Limestone County Schools forward motion for student
learning.
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