Process
The Accreditation Process
The accreditation process is designed for school improvement. It has three parts. The first is the eighteen month self study during which the school undergoes a programmed, comprehensive self assessment based on the NEASC’s seven standard areas. The elementary and middle level schools each have their own separate standards which reflect good practices and expectations at the particular level. The school receives training and guidance in the process from the NEASC offices.
The second phase is the peer review process. This phase features a visiting committee whose task is to verify the information presented in the self study. During its three and one-half day visit to the school, the visiting committee determines if what has been written in the self study is actually happening and offers suggestions about how it can be improved upon. The visiting committee presents a final report with observations and perceptions, commendations and recommendations based on the actual visit in concert with the self study. If, in fact, the school does a good job preparing the self study, the visiting committee report should be a reflection of what the school saw about itself in terms of strengths and needs.
The third phase is the follow up. Once the visiting committee has presented its report, and the school has received its accreditation, then the school has five years to act on the recommendations contained in the report with the expectations that all recommendations will be addressed and resolved within the five year window. Periodic progress reports (two-year, five-year, special) must be submitted to the NEASC, which monitors the progress of the school in meeting the spirit of the recommendations closely.
After a brief period of time, the school will be contacted to begin the process of self study again in preparation for the decennial peer review visit.
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