New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission on Public Secondary Schools (CPSS)

One Principal on the Evaluation Team Visit --

"The team was so comfortable in their roles that they helped our staff feel comfortable.  It was one of the best experiences I have had on either side of the table.  At the closing meeting the faculty erupted in spontaneous applause as they just enjoyed everyone so much and realized that the whole process was fair and comprehensive. 

The best part was that the students really enjoyed all the people they met.  You know all too well, the adults can muster up their best behavior, but the students will always be who they are, and they were. They had a great time.  I know we will have excellent suggestions for moving forward.  It was very rewarding."

Donna Nuzzo-Mueller, Principal, Scituate High School, MA

 

Self-Study & On-Site Visit

Member schools are required to undertake a self-study every ten years.  The purpose of a self-study is to draw and substantiate conclusions that the school has built about how well it meets each Standard for Accreditation.  These conclusions will subsequently provide guidance regarding ways to strengthen and support the school's on-going efforts to improve its practices related to teaching and learning.  The visiting committee's conclusions, informed by the school's self-study and other sources of evidence, ultimately provide the Commission on Public Secondary Schools with information that will affect the school's continued accredited status. 

The self-study typically takes two to three semesters.  However, based on other variables such as the size of the faculty, the allocation of release time, and the amount of time needed to complete existing initiatives, the school may elect to complete the self-study in three semesters. 

The evaluation visit is the second phase of the accreditation process in which the school hosts the visiting committee for three and one-half-days.  The task of the visiting committee is to determine the extent to which the school meets the seven Standards for Accreditation and what it needs to do to improve and better meet its stated mission and expectations for student learning.

The visiting committee will ensure examination of self-study findings by talking with:

  • self-study committees
  • groups of parents
  • groups of students
  • groups of teachers
  • individual teachers
  • school administrators
  • school committee/board members
  • central office personnel
  • support staff
  • community representatives

In addition to the many conversations that will occur with groups and individuals, the visiting team will also hear a panel presentation from the school, attend a brief reception hosted by the school, shadow representative students for a half-day, and review a collection of student work. 

At the end of the final day of the visit (usually Wednesday), the chair of the visiting team will deliver closing remarks to faculty, administration, the superintendent, and school board/committee.  This presentation will be devoted to a summary of the highlights of the visiting committee report.  The Commission has ruled that no members of the press should attend the presentation, and no notes should be taken or recordings of the comments should be made.

The accredited school should not expect to receive a comprehensive evaluation of every school program or department.  The committee will look at these areas only to determine how they contribute to the school's adherence to the Standards for Accreditation.

 

 

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