District Accreditation is a powerful systems’ approach that reflects the ‘next generation’ definition of accreditation; it gives school districts the flexibility and responsibility to identify and implement their desired process of continuous improvement focusing on increasing student performance. Because District Accreditation addresses issues systemically and uses quality tools, it strengthens the effectiveness and capacity of districts and their schools to flexibly adjust, and therefore, sustain learning gains. It is a process that examines how all the processes and functions of a district work in concert to the benefit of student learning. School systems pursuit of District Accreditation is voluntary. It is a process implemented and supported by SACS CASI, a non-governmental organization.
SACS CASI District Accreditation requires commitment from the district’s leadership and Board of Education. The Quality Assurance Team gathers data and evidence during the visit by interviewing a wide range of system and school level stakeholders. In considering the evidence as provided through data, documentation, observation, and dialogue, the Team
Seeks a district perspective;
Pursues evidence that can be correlated through multiple sources;
Examines the context and capacity of the school system in relation to its vision, mission, and beliefs; and
Applies the Standards for accreditation.
As noted by Dr. Mark A. Elgart, Chief Executive Officer of SACS CASI,
“The capacity of any organization to improve is directly related to its ability to recognize, acknowledge, and act on its strengths and limitations. The SACS CASI District Accreditation process provides a vehicle for assisting school districts to effectively identify its strengths and areas needing improvement, as well as for providing external experienced professionals who through a structured onsite visit assess the capacity of the district to meet the criteria for accreditation, commend worthy accomplishments, and recommend strategies that hold the promise of important systemic improvements.”
A SACS CASI Quality Assurance Team composed of Don Teel (Georgia), Dr. Dody Sapp (Florida), Dr. Sherrie Gibney-Sherman (Georgia), and Dr. John Lowrance (Tennessee), visited in Calhoun City Schools March 19-22 and met with more than 150 stakeholders. They identified strengths, achievements, commendations, limitations, challenges and recommendations. The team identified several strengths and noted the highly active business/industry and community partnerships, strong committed Board of Education and City Council and the school system’s exemplary commitment to improving student performance. They also noted that the school system has focused, collaborative and talented professional staff members who are committed to the district’s vision. Involved and supportive parents help ensure the school system’s success. SACS CASI Chairperson Don Teel stated, “The leadership of Calhoun City Schools continuously anticipates needs and challenges and has helped foster a culture of continuous improvement focused on student achievement. It is extremely evident to our SACS Review Team that there is pride in this school district and its accomplishments.”
The Quality Assurance Review Team commends Calhoun City Schools for building understanding and commitment of stakeholders to the district’s vision, mission and beliefs; accessing and using pertinent data to improve student learning; implementing a framework that enables all areas and stakeholders throughout the system to focus on providing quality and pursuing improvement; placing an emphasis on parent conferences and community engagement. Calhoun City Schools welcomes diversity and fosters leadership that models expectations and instills confidence in people that improvement can and will be achieved. The school system continues to build the capacity throughout to engage in a continuous pursuit of excellence while implementing methods for quality assurance that enable all personnel to monitor their pursuit of improved performance in desired areas. “We found Calhoun City Schools to be a place that truly believes that all children can learn as evidenced by the school’s extraordinary drive to maximize the learning potential of every child – no excuses accepted,” Chairman Teel stated.
The Quality Assurance Team validated the system’s awareness that technology programs continually need updating and recommended that the system make a firm commitment to pursue funding to upgrade the technology capabilities of the district office and the schools and to seek grants and other alternative funding to develop and provide for additional strategies and processes for recruiting quality staff especially more minorities. They recognized the gap between current needs of the schools and
E-SPLOST funding opportunities. Continued growth of special populations will be challenging as teachers and leaders respond to the needs of a diverse student population. They also recommended that the system continue to address facility needs and planning. “We are encouraged by the SACS Team’s recommendations, we know that there is always room for improvement as we grow and continue to strive to meet our community’s needs,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Davis commented.
A written report of the findings and observations of the SACS CASI Quality Assurance Review Team will be drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Schools within 30 days. After receipt of the report, Calhoun City Schools will review and communicate the findings and observations contained in the report and initiate steps to address the recommendations of the team. The Quality Assurance Review Team recommends, without reservation, to the SACS CASI Board of Directors that the Calhoun City Schools be awarded district accreditation as a quality school system.