WASC For Charter Schools

Dr. David BrownExecutive Director

Dr. Lee DuncanAssociate Executive Director

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Focus on Learning

How are students achieving?

Is the school doing everything possible to support high achievement for all of its students?

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Procedures and Tips to help Charter schools prepare for a “full” self-study visit.

What we will cover …….

What we will NOT cover …….

This presentation does NOT count as your WASC training.

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What to do first …….

Attend WASC Trainings

Establish contact your assigned chair

Set up the initial visit

Use the WASC website to gather information and answer any question (www.acswasc.org)

Get your teams together Leadership Team Home Groups Focus Groups

Begin writing

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Where to Begin?

Identify your Critical areas of Growth/Focus

Identify your Strengths

Begin writing your Self Study

Start with the End in Mind

Start with the End in Mind

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Chapter OneS

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Chapter TwoS

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Chapter ThreeS

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Chapter FourS

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Chapter Five

Self

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Essential Tools

Previous Self-Study Report & VC Report

WASC websiteTemplatesRubricsA+

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Easy as 1, 2, 3…

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Accreditation Plus

Private secure website to communicate with all of your stakeholders and the WASC team

Not a requirement, but a very helpful tool to you, your staff and the visiting team.

Cost $1,500 set up fee, then $500 per year.

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What you need to know about your visiting team

They are your peers

They are Volunteers

They have experience with your type of school

They are very CREDITABLE

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What you need to know about preparation for the visit

Everyone (i.e. all stakeholders) need to be involved Teachers Students Parents District Office Administrators Board Members Business Community Everyone!!!

Have plenty of evidence for the visiting committee Be

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What you need to know about the needs of the Visiting Committee

Healthy snacks Ample supplies Offer Clerical support

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What you need to know on the last day of the visit

The team will NOT let you know what their recommendation for the term of accreditation is* Why?

- It is truly a recommendation- It must be reviewed and

approved by the WASC Commission

Be prepared to review the report at lunch

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What you need to know after the team has left

Finalize your action plan

Be prepared to make 10 copies and send them to the WASC office.

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What you need to know when you receive your official term of accreditation.

CelebratePublicizeQuestions

- Don’t hesitate to call the chair- There is a appeal process

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Real Purpose of WASC Visit

To verify that you are providing a excellent education to all of your students in accordance with State standards.

To help you celebrate your schools strengths.

To identify your growth areas to enrich student achievement.

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Review Do’s

Correspond with your chair quickly and frequently

Use your chair as a resource

Involve EVERYONE!

Keep your Action Plan alive

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Review Don'ts

Procrastinate

Hesitate to ask questions

Skip the WASC trainings

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Questions?

Thank you for your dedication in educating

our children!