Accreditation Sensation

 

Every seven years we are visited by our main accrediting agency, the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC). In addition to the FCC, we also hold accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and AdvancedEd. These organizations work with each other and will share the information gathered this week to update accreditation status. This begs the question, "So, what exactly will they be doing here this week?"

1. The visit focuses on four main areas/domains: Operational Vitality (will we be around for another 50 years), Academic Excellence (how well do we prepare our students for higher education), Catholic Identity (how well do we prepare our students for Heaven) Governance and Leadership (does leadership successfully support and drive these areas). 
2. Much of the information has actually already been submitted and reviewed. As a school we started to upload evidence (videos, pictures, copies of handbooks, etc) over a year ago, and this evidence is reviewed by the team prior to visiting. 
3. While here, the team will observe classes, meet with parents and students and talk with the staff to substantiate our previously loaded evidence. 
4. Before finishing the visit, the team will present an exit review with our staff where they will review their visit and suggest opportunities for growth. Examples of programs and initiatives driven by previous exit reports include putting more technology in the classrooms (Smartboards, iPads, etc), using Understanding by Design for curriculum mapping in Atlas, and our current mission/vision statements. 

I won't say the preparation process hasn't been laborious, but it has been helpful. To really be a life-long learner you have to be a life-long reflector. This process has helped us make an assessment of what we do well at CKS and areas we can grow to become even better. I look forward to sharing our action plan and providing a specific vision for where CKS will be headed in the next seven years!