How Does Accreditation Help

us Run a Successful

American School?

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation Defined:

A process to evaluate and recognize an institution for meeting peer developed standards established for the purpose of promoting quality education.

How does inspection differ from accreditation?

Government inspections (KHDA) measure the school against other schools based on the schools progress and attainment.

NEASC/CIS accreditation inspections measure the school against the school’s own standards and their mission statement.

Accreditation Helps Schools Prepare for DSIB

DSIB InspectionsCIS/NEASC Accreditation

Students’ Progress and Attainment in Key Subjects

Personal and social development Teaching, learning and

assessment Curriculum Support School Culture and Partnerships

for Learning Governance and Leadership Overall Performance

Mission and School Vision Driven Teaching & Learning Governance & Leadership Faculty & Support Staff Access to Teaching & Learning School Culture & Partnerships for

Learning Operational Systems

Our Mission

American Academy in Al Mizhar is committed to meeting the needs of families

with an international outlook who have chosen an American education.

By offering a co-educational early childhood program for dual language learners leading to a single gender college preparatory school for girls, our mission is to promote intellectual curiosity,

independent and critical thinking, communication and

problem solving skills, a lifelong passion for learning, and an

exposure to and a respect for cultural diversity. 

By expecting academic excellence, we inspire personal growth and

develop intrinsically motivated global citizens who are committed to

being leaders in

community service and environmental responsibility. Spring 2012

The Value of Accreditation

Accreditation: Purpose and Value

The Purpose of Dual Accreditation:

To be measured against both American and International standards.

Accreditation ValueValue to the School : Value to the Student:The opportunity for self-

assessmentImproved intra-

school contact and understanding

An evaluation by peersA plan for the futureConfirmation of

the school’s needs The award of

accreditation itself

Access to greater opportunities for higher education

Improved educational quality and consistency

Value of external validation and the need for assessments and improvements

Opportunity to engage with school more directly

T e a c h ing a nd L e a r ning S t a nd a r d s

M iss ion & E x pe c t a t ions

C ur r ic ulum

I nst r uc t ion A sse ssme nt

L e a d e r sh ip & O r ga niz a t ion

S c h ool R e sour c e s f or L e a r ning

C ommunit y R e sour c e s f or L e a r ning

S uppor t S t a nd a r d s

SELF STUDY

VISITINGCOMMITTEE

FOLLOW UP

SELF STUDYIs school specificIs staff drivenRequires parental and community

inputRequires reflection, discussion,

consensus and back-upTells the story of how and how well

the school meets CIS/NEASC standards for good schooling

VISITING COMMITTEE• Reads the self study

• Spends four days watching the school in action

• Meets and discusses the self study with members of the school’s community

• Provides objective assessment of the conclusions of the self study

Determines the degree to which the school meets the standards

Develops the final report which includes perceptions, commendations and recommendations

Makes a recommendation about accreditation to CIS/NEASC

FOLLOW UP Prioritize the recommendations found in the

Visiting Committee Report Identify the responsible people and develop

action plan Establish a timeline Develop strategies, adopt and adapt them, and

assess the results Prepare appropriate reports:

Two Year Report Special Progress Reports Five Year Report

Celebrate the accomplishments

BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION

Self AwarenessSelf EvaluationPlanning OpportunitiesUpholding StandardsQuality ControlPublic AccountabilitySchool ApprovalSchool Improvement

So…. How did accreditation help us become a better school?

AAM – After AccreditationLinks with Parents

and the Community

Empowerment of Staff

Living the Mission

Empowerment of StaffIncreased staff morale - the accreditation

process fostered staff unity, collegiality and rapport, thereby giving all school staff a feeling of ownership in the school’s successes.

Improved instruction - recommendations led to positive changes in areas such as curriculum and assessment.

Greater staff teamwork and collegiality - accreditation led to the formation of “Professional Learning Communities.”

The AAM

Family – Success with Linking the Community

LIVING THE MISSION Lifelong LearnerCommunity Leader

Independent and Critical Thinker

Global Citizen

Cultural Diversity

Environmentally Aware