Accreditation FAQs (from Meg Imel)

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a voluntary process where a school that commits to striving for excellence agrees to an ongoing review to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of the organization and the quality of instruction.

 

What accrediting agencies are we working with?

We are seeking a dual accreditation with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

 

Did you know?

As part of the initial accreditation process, we had a one-day visit from WASC in November 2013.  As of February 10, 2014, we were awarded a three-year initial accreditation term from WASC!

So, yes, we are already WASC accredited!  But, our April accreditation will include ACSI, the Christian accrediting organization, and will most likely give us a six- year term.

 

Is this TLCS’s first time in seeking accreditation?

Yes.  Accreditation wasn’t as critical before adding the middle school.

 

Why does TLCS need to be accredited?

Receiving accreditation is like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval.  It tells our families and the greater community that we strive for excellence and we do what we say we do.

 

Who is involved in the accreditation process?

The entire faculty is involved in the writing and editing of the complete document.  Other staff members (office staff, aides, CW workers), parents, and students play a role as well.

 

What is involved in the accreditation process?

The TLCS faculty has been working on this accreditation for almost six years. 

·         In 2008-2009 we revised the mission, vision, core values, and philosophy of education statements. 

·         In 2009-2010 teachers worked on their Christian Philosophy of Education courses for ACSI.

·         In 2010-2011 we worked on creating curriculum maps.

·         In 2011-2012 we began researching and drafting our accreditation document.

·         In 2012-2013 we drafted, surveyed parents, revised and adopted our Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs)

·         In 2013-2014 we are hosting our ACSI/WASC accreditation team!

 

What is the School Improvement Plan?

In each of the Standards (Philosophy, Governance, Home & School Community, Personnel, Instruction, Library & Media, Crisis Planning, Facility, and Character Development) we wrote a number of strengths and areas of improvement.  From these, the faculty chose five major areas of weakness that became our continuous school improvement plan (CSIP).  These areas of improvement were well-aligned with the suggested areas of improvement from the WASC visit.  Our improvement goals that we’ll be addressing over the next several years include teacher training for differentiated instruction, assessment evaluation to guide instruction, professional development linked to student learning, technology plan to support learning objectives, and a school-wide biblically based conflict resolution plan.

 

How long does the accreditation term last?

Generally, an accreditation term is good for six years and usually comes with a mid-term review by the accrediting agency.

 

What should the parents and students expect when the accreditation team visits?

·         There will be a five woman team on campus from Sunday, April 6^th through Wednesday, April 9^th. 

·         They will be wearing accreditation team tags. 

·         Their goal is to confirm our report. 

·         They will visit classrooms, recesses, chapels, and Cross Walk. 

·         They will interview parents, students, teachers, aides, and CW workers.

 

Please smile and welcome our team!