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Douglas County School System Seeking SACS Reaccreditation
March 25-28, 2012
The Douglas County School System is seeking reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) District Accreditation. Engaging in the district accreditation requires that districts assume two key roles to provide their schools with direction and support for their improvement. Schools have been working on the SACS reporting process through the leadership of SACS Facilitators in each school. Surveys of stakeholders including staff, students, parents, and the business community are part of the work we are doing in preparation for the accreditation process. Stakeholders have been selected randomly to participate in a brief online survey from Hanover Research. Hanover Research will collect the survey results and report them back to the district.
Through the district accreditation process, all of our schools are SACS accredited. The district office has the responsibility for ensuring that all schools meet high standards through the Strategic Plan and the School Improvement Process.
SACS District Accreditation assures that all people, processes, departments, and operations in the school system work in concert to increase student learning and organizational effectiveness.
According to the guidelines set by AdvancED, systems that seek district accreditation must demonstrate the "three pillars of accreditation--high standards, continuous improvement, and quality assurance--to the entire district to ensure alignment and support between and among the district and its schools." After implementing an improvement plan and collecting evidence of meeting the accreditation standards, the district will host a Quality Assurance Review conducted by SACS CASI March 25-28, 2012.
What Is District Accreditation?
District Accreditation requires school systems to engage in a continuous improvement process with the purpose of creating and maintaining a plan for systemic growth. District Accreditation also aligns all entities within a district and creates an avenue where student achievement and teacher performance become the driving force to ensure that all students and all schools are achieving at new heights.
Seven Accreditation Standards for A Quality School Systems
To achieve accreditation, a system must meet the Standards for Accreditation for a Quality School System:
Standard 1 Vision and Purpose
Standard 2 Governance and Leadership
Standard 3 Teaching and Learning
Standard 4 Documenting and Using Results
Standard 5 Resources and Support Systems
Standard 6 Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Standard 7 Commitment to Continuous Improvement
District Accreditation
- Creates a unified district with all schools focused on the achievement of all students through a shared vision, mission, and common goals
- Develops an understanding and appreciation for one another's roles and responsibilities--value
- Refines strategies/processes for continuous improvement that are reflected in all schools for all students
- Focuses on increasing student achievement and enhancing teacher performance through data-driven instruction
- Provides opportunities for continuous dialogue between schools and across grade levels
- Strengthens professional development and communities of learners
- Involves stakeholders district-wide to accomplish a common purpose
- Aligns with federal and state mandates for system accountability
Leading and Learning is our priority! Join us as we strive for student success.
