AdvancEDTM External Review

Exit Report Newton County School System March 23-26, 2014

Accreditation is…

An international protocol for institutions committed to systemic, systematic, and sustainable improvement

– Builds capacity of the institution to improve and sustain student learning

– Stimulates and improves effectiveness and efficiency throughout the institution

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Balanced Accreditation Analysis and Evaluation of • Impact of Teaching and Learning • Leadership Capacity • Resource Utilization

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External Review

• The External Review Team

– Comprised of professional peers with diverse experience and rich contextual perspective

– Determines the institution’s effectiveness in meeting the requirements of accreditation

• The External Review Process

– Provides analysis and evaluation

– Delivers valuable feedback and direction for improvement

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Interviews & Observations • 239 Interviews

– 52 Administrators

– 5 Board Members

– 126 Teachers

– 7 Support Staff

– 31 Students

– 18 Parents/Community Members

• 62 Effective Learning Environment Observations

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Learning Environment Ratings

1 Equitable Learning Environment 3.04

2 High Expectations Environment 3.09

3 Supportive Learning Environment 3.51

4 Active Learning Environment 3.27

5 Progress Monitoring and Feedback Environment

3.6

6 Well-Managed Learning Environment 3.57

7 Digital Learning Environment 2.70

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Index of Educational Quality

305

325

100

100

100

100

400

400

400

400

312

Teaching and Learning Impact Standards 3 and 5, Student Performance Evaluative Criteria

Leadership Capacity Standards 1 and 2, Stakeholder Feedback Evaluative Criteria

Resource Utilization Standard 4

Index of Educational Quality Based on all Evaluative Criteria

317

Powerful Practices

• Newton County School System has developed policies and procedures that provide clear operational direction for the effective administration and oversight of the system and its schools.

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Powerful Practices

• Newton County School System utilizes a structured process to recruit, employ, acclimate and retain staff who have the skills, knowledge, and commitment to the system’s mission and vision.

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Powerful Practices

• Newton County School System has unique partnerships with parents and other community stakeholders who support the vision and mission of the school system through meaningful participation in the education of children.

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Powerful Practices

• The system has made a commitment to providing technology at all levels and to support, manage, train, and use technology to improve the performance of students and staff members through the implementation of instructional technology in the classrooms.

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Required Actions

1. Develop and implement a rigorous, continuous program of professional learning that is aligned with the system’s vision and mission to ensure that all professional and support staff are adequately trained.

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Required Actions

2. Design and implement a plan to ensure all professional and support staff members are trained to evaluate, analyze, interpret, and use data to further the mission and vision of the system.

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Based on our findings from the review of evidence, this External Review Team

recommends that

Newton County School System

be accredited, pending further review and final action by the AdvancED Accreditation

Commission.

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Accreditation Decision

External Review

AdvancED Office Reviews and Sends Report Back to You

AdvancED Accreditation Commission Grants Accreditation and Status

Completed!

30 Days

January June

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Final Thoughts

• On behalf of the External Review Team, we extend:

– Our appreciation for your hospitality, support, and professionalism;

– Our respect and acknowledgement of your efforts to improve quality; and

– Our congratulations for your progress toward achieving Accreditation as a quality institution.

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Our mission is to lead and empower the education

community to ensure that all learners realize their maximum potential.